Check Control - 'Brake Light Circuit' Message Erroneous
Group 62Instruments
Bulletin Number
62 03 95 (4233)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
November 1995
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
Erroneous Check Control Message "Brake Light Circuit"
MODELS:
3 Series (E36) - Vehicles equipped with Check Control
Situation:
Sporadic display of Check Control Message "Brake Light Circuit" even though all brake lights are working properly.
Cause:
If the erroneous "Brake Light Control" message is displayed while driving: Signals from the contacts of the brake light switch are not simultaneous.
Note:
This cause is typically limited to the earlier generation of brake light switch (P/N 61 31 1 382 385) which exhibits a very distinct audible switching noise. Refer to S.I. 61 03 94 (4032).
If the erroneous "Brake Light Circuit" message is displayed only when the ignition is switched "Off":
Software error in the Multifunction Clock (MFU).
Affected Vehicles:
All E36 vehicles equipped with Check Control, produced prior to February 1995.
Procedure:
If the erroneous "Brake Light Circuit" message is displayed while driving:
Replace the Brake Light Switch with the later style switch with improved contacts, (P/N 61 31 8 360 417).
If the erroneous "Brake Light Circuit" message is displayed only when the ignition is switched "Off":
Replace the Multifunction Clock (MFU).
Note:
Multifunction clocks bearing a production date of Week 5 1995 or later have corrected software and are not affected.
The production date is listed on the MFU label (lower right) in the following manner: Week/Year/Index Number (the Index Number is not relevant in this case).
Parts Information:
Description Part Number
Brake Light Switch 61 31 8 360 417
Multifunction Clock 62 13 8 357 666
Warranty Information:
Parts and labor are reimbursable under the terms of the BMW Limited New Car Warranty of 4 Years/50,000 Miles.
Replacing Brake Light Switch:
Defect Code: 61 30 90 42 00
Labor Operation: 61 31 310
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU
Replacing Multifunction Clock:
Defect Code: 62 13 90 42 00
Labor Operation: 62 12 050
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU