BOW - Fast Blinker Issues

[quikryptonite]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have recently been trying to figure out what is going on with my car re: BOW and a sporadic fast blinker. When I start my car the BOW for the front driver's side corner lights up. Then, only sometimes, when I turn on the driver's side blinker, it blinks very rapidly. Then after a few minutes of driving, it stops and the BOW disappears.

I've done some initial research and found this thread:

E46 Fanatics Blinker Help (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=12998387)

E46 Blinker Troubleshooting Video (http://youtu.be/CgwAGlFe6HM)

Have any of your dealt with this before? What was your diagnosis? Sounds like it could be anything from a bad ground wire to corrosion.

I've got new clear corners that I am going to install when it warms up a bit, but I would be interested in pulling my corner assemblies apart to see what is going on.

[sillieidiot]

i'd check the bulb socket. often that thing get melted because the bulbs get too hot. it could also be corrosion on the contacts in the socket too.

[ELCID86]

BOW??

[Avetiso]

BOW??

Bulb out warning.

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[ELCID86]

Bulb out warning.


Thanks. So not this: 12402

[Avetiso]

Thanks. So not this: 12402

Nope, not that. :rofl

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[quikryptonite]

Thanks. So not this: 12402

I wish, an M3 for Christmas, wouldn't get much better than that. Unless, it was Laguna Seca blue.

[danewilson77]

Possible e46 ground recall issue. Check the tail light wiring as well.

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[quikryptonite]

I've got some more information. I got rid of my amber side markers today and replaced them with the clear ones. I noticed that this part:
BMW Electrical Socket (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-10497-61138365340-genuine-bmw-part.aspx) is broken on my driver's side side marker. So it connects, but the connection is not as good as it should be. It must be coming loose just enough to trigger the BOW.

How hard would it be to replace this item. I don't know anything about electrical stuff.

Part No.10 here I believe:
RealOEM Diagram (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=63_0731&hg=63&fg=10)

[brettbimmer]

Short answer is that it cannot be too tough, given that it is just two wires going into the plug. The key is finding out how the wires are attached into the back of the plug. In doing a bit of searching, I found the part number pop up over on the M5 board, being used for rear license plate lights. Check out the very bottom of this post and the top of the second page - looks like it may simply release with a small flat-bladed screwdriver. Dario may know this answer with all of his BMW specific electrical rebuilds.

Forum link: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e63-bmw-m6-forum-bmw-m6-convertible-m6board-com/212423-license-plate-lamp-upgrade-led.html

[quikryptonite]

So, I finally took the blinker assembly out last night. I have major corrosion on the turn signal socket. The bulb is still good. So, I think if I order a new part (63136943121 (http://www.ecstuning.com/ES173573/)) I should be good.

[brettbimmer]

So, I finally took the blinker assembly out last night. I have major corrosion on the turn signal socket. The bulb is still good. So, I think if I order a new part (63136943121 (http://www.ecstuning.com/ES173573/)) I should be good.

Just an FYI - I ordered replacement sockets for my clear corners from ECS and found that the prong clips that seat the socket into the housing were fine for the amber corners, but the location of the prongs didn't allow me to seat the socket into the clear corners and still have the entire assembly fit back into the car. (Basically when the socket was seated, the plug would not clear the fender and it needed to be turned the other direction). If you need the part number which I used from ECS after the first replacement ones didn't fit, I can dig in my files. Just PM me.

[brettbimmer]

Sorry for the double-posting, but just remembered that I have a photo showing the different sockets. Note the placement of the prongs. I found that for the clear corners in my car I needed the one on the left.

12703

[quikryptonite]

Thanks Brett.

[Smolck]

Dont forget a good smattering of dialectic grease inside the socket to prevent future corrosion issues.

[brettbimmer]

Yes sir. To be 100% sure you have the correct one on order, I would check what you have on the car. Hope the new sockets solve the problem.

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