Re: E28 Taillights

[Matthew Yip <mgyip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 10:02:57 EST
> From: KiloYankee@domain.elided
> Subject: E28 Taillights
>
> Hello all,
>
> This concerns my '84 528e.  I know that the E28 has a inherent problem of the
> taillight contacts corroding.  I have replaced the taillight housing gaskets a
> year-and-a-half ago, so they're not leaking.  But, the other day, my "brake
> light" idiot light came on, and, upon inspection, although both brake lights
> were working, the left brake light contacts were all corroded (I'm assuming
> this is the aftermath of the leaky taillight gaskets which I replaced 18
> months ago).  When I say corroded, I mean the metal contacts where the light
> bulb screws into the small cylindrical housing were corroded, as well as the
> contacts between the cylindrical housing and the taillight housing assembly.
> So, I cleaned all the corrosion off, but the idiot light still came on.  Now,
> upon further inspection, the right brake light was in-op.  So, I replaced both
> brake light bulbs and everything was fine...for about one hundred
> miles...when... the taillight idiot light came on one night...but both
> taillights were working!  Then, the brake light idiot light came on shortly
> thereafter too, although both brake lights work!
>