Re: Front End Shudder, Brake Light message

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

How many miles are on the car?  It's possible that your front shocks are 
worn.  The usual symptom of failed thrust arm bushings is a front-end 
vibration/shake when the brakes are applied at highway speeds (50mph).  If 
you're feeling a front end shudder when hitting bumps, but the brakes aren't 
being applied, I'd suspect the front shocks.


Regarding the brake light fault, it may be a bad brake light switch.  BMW 
had a recall on them (check http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov), but this was for a 
brake light switch that either failed in the closed position (so brake 
lights are always on), or in the open position (so brake lights never work). 
  However, many people on the Digest have reported this problem with the 
Check Control message, and it went away when the brake light switch was 
replaced.

The other possibility is that you have brake light bulbs with brass bases, 
or corroded brake light bulb sockets, so the voltage drop at the bulb is 
insufficient to indicate a working bulb, so the Check Control computer is 
flagging the problem.

- -rb


>
>Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002 08:41:43 -1000
>From: "S. Bly" <ScottBly@domain.elided>
>Subject: Front End Shudder
>
>I recently replaced my thrust arms on my 90 525i after recommendations from
>listers.  There is a noticeable improvement, but I still get a violent
>shudder when I hit a rough patch of road at speeds over 40 MPH especially 
>in
>turns such as freeway ramps.  What is the next most likely problem?  
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002 08:43:59 -1000
>From: "S. Bly" <ScottBly@domain.elided>
>Subject: Brake Light Circuit Warning Light
>
>My warning light comes on in my 90 525i but I checked my fuse (#1) and 
>bulbs
>and they are good.  Is there a relay in the brake light circuit?  What else
>could it be?


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