E36 318is brake light issues

[Malone]

Hi Guys

I need some help on my '97 E36 318is. The brake lights don't work at all. I've changed the brake light switch at the pedal as the old one was stuffed. The lights worked for a month and then just stopped. I've changed all the globes, changed the fuse: still nothing. Tested the brake switch with a multimeter, its getting power and works as it should.

Where to from here??

Any advise?

Thanks

P.S. - Found a relay under the dash. Could this be a brake relay??

 

[KingKalie]

You should pull the connector on the tail light housing out and test if there is power going through, If you have power to the connectors then take out the whole brake light housing and check the circuit inside

 

[Malone]

You should pull the connector on the tail light housing out and test if there is power going through, If you have power to the connectors then take out the whole brake light housing and check the circuit inside

Thanks. Will check and advise.

 

[samman325]

The e36 tends to suffer from breaking of the wires in the harness which feeds the rear lights.

The weak point is the constant flex at the bootlid which causes the wires to break. If you open the rubber cover on the harness at the bootlid hinge, you may find the cause of your troubles.