(uk( brake switch)

[bigtallsam]

hi all, been using this forum for some great info since i got my first 5 a couple of weeks ago and just registered

i've spent a few weeks dismantling various bits and bobs, re-soldering/cleaning reassembling etc - to sort some small niggly electrical faults

had the leaky heater matrix replaced

tightened the nut behinf the wheel

serviced the ccm

etc

i'd now like to sort my brake lt circuit message but before i do does anyone know whereabouts it is on a rhd (e34.net guide is for the lhd)

thanks in advance

s

[bigtallsam]

oops, meant 2 say, where's the brake light switch on rhd

[shogun]

You have seen where it is on E34.net on a left hand drive.
As all the pedals are in your RHD, just follow that direction=under the pedal.
But you can also type in your VIN, and then you can check exactly your car spec and look for that parts and how it looks
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

HTH

[bigtallsam]

thanks for the reply

according to

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/brake_switch.htm

"On the BMW E34 the clutch and brake light switches are located under the dash, above the pedals. RHD car have the switch on the opposite side-passenger side (left hand side). the switch is not located on the brake pedal."

is it just a case of removing a trim panel to gain access or is it a bit more tricky than that

s

[shogun]

Sorry Sam,

that I overlooked. So they keep the switch in the same position even if it is a RHD then.
Now I better wait that someone with knowledge about this speciality chimes in.

[Javier]

to ETK on line with the info for an imaginary 535i 1992 Europe RHD. It shows the switch location on what they call "Foot controls/Deflection rod".

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD22&mospid=47382&btnr=35_0059&hg=35&fg=05

In this link, for the pedals set, you will notice switch is missing, as it is in the other picture.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD22&mospid=47382&btnr=35_0055&hg=35&fg=05

Would suggest to do as Shogund said. Put your vin in this web page:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

select browse for parts, then select Pedals (group 35) and go for it.

Javier

[bigtallsam]

cheers for the info guys

s

[Paul in NZ]

yes sorry I am late onto this...very easy on rhd,basically remove glovebox and there it is....I found out aftr pulling all the trim out on the rhd aronf the steering column...I made a post and sent it to Bruno ...

[bigtallsam]

thanks for that fellas, was hoping access was easy but wanted to check with u guys first before i went blindly in search of it!

s

[genphreak]

yes sorry I am late onto this...very easy on rhd,basically remove glovebox and there it is....I found out aftr pulling all the trim out on the rhd aronf the steering column...I made a post and sent it to Bruno ...This is a bit of a weird thread: my brake light switch (RHD car) is above the pedal, not behind the glove box. It is in this diagram (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/q/s/3.png) right above the pedal where it is on LHD cars. Only thing is it is not on the parts list below (item 24 is mysteriously missing), so maybe this is not without reason. I have changed mine before so I know it is above the pedal.

So perhaps there are RHD cars with this behind the glove box! My old e28 had half of its braking system on the other side of the car too. Perhaps they changed the switch location at some point during the e34's production? :) Nick

[bigtallsam]

thanks for all the help,

found/removed/dissasembled/lost some bits/went out and bought a new switch - installed successfuly! still get the 'brake lt circuit' message!!!!

if i remember correctly some people posted that their headlight motors caused the message on their b.m's and went away when disconnected so will try that as well as cleaning the brake bulbs/sockets etc but i have a sneaky suspicion that it might be the aftermarket brake light/spoiler??

also, forgive me for being a complete beemer novice

is it normal to get the check control message when starting the car or turning the ignition on and as well when you turn it off?

thanks

s

[bigtallsam]

just been reading regal's thread looks like i've got the same problem, seems to go away when i start the car and comes on again when i stop the engine.

?

[shogun]

from my page e32fixes.com
http://www.e32fixes.com/results.asp?method=show_fix&fixid=1
http://www.e32fixes.com/results.asp?method=show_fix&fixid=2

[QUOTE][is it normal to get the check control message when starting the car or turning the ignition on and as well when you turn it off?
/QUOTE]

That means that you have a stored fault and that reminds you to check for it. There is priority I, II and III.
See owners manual

[Paul in NZ]

Dont know Nick my car is a 12/89 assembled car and has the lhs brake switch complete with delection rod.Maybe because we had leaded fuel so got the e28?DME ie no cat an o2 sensor we got all the old stuff including metric wheels....

[genphreak]

Dont know Nick my car is a 12/89 assembled car and has the lhs brake switch complete with delection rod.Maybe because we had leaded fuel so got the e28?DME ie no cat an o2 sensor we got all the old stuff including metric wheels....Indeed that stands to reason... interesting, the e34 production started before e28 ended, esp as in the US they didn't start to sell until 88. e34 started in '87 or for all I know in '86. One of the things I never liked about the e28 was I was unable to get to squeak it had in the brake pedal mecho (coming from the passnenger side)... I hope this doesn't happen on our e34s. I better get in there and graphite it up before I put the glovebox back in. Cheers Paul, :)

[bigtallsam]

i was just searching the forum for links to an owners manual and hopefully a haynes for my 525 24v m50

but am having trouble

any ideas where i might find em

thanks

s

[bmworbust]

Hello everyone,
Nice to be back on the best forum in virtual world.

Forgot my password several pc's (and a couple macs) ago but couldn,t resist this question.
The brake switch in late uk model e34's should be behind the glove box on the passenger side, like you have found. However the very best advice I have had, from this forum I could add. Is to disconnect the headlamp adjusters from behind the housing.
It has worked twice for me after trying all the OE bulbs, boot wiring stuff.

Open bonnet.

Remove plastic sheild behind headlamp.
Locate lower/raise control connector wiring connector.
pull it apart
start car
turn lights on/off
press brake etc

No warning..........Usually.

If that doesn't work I will eat my mighty mouse, save me throwing out the window anyway.

Ian

[shogun]

i was just searching the forum for links to an owners manual and hopefully a haynes for my 525 24v m50

but am having trouble

any ideas where i might find em

thanks

s

Here you can download it
http://luuk.xs4all.nl/bmwboeken/bmwe34manual/

There is a Haynes (in part) online on my website below. But better is a Bentley Repair Manual. Do a search here and you might be able also to download that one, if you are lucky. Links change day by day and go dead day by day for that one.

@Ian:
To disconnect the headlamp adjusters from behind the housing was posted once by me. But apparently that is not of interest for the US friends here, as they do not have automatic headlight adjustment with motors behind the headlights. In Europe that is mandatory, but not in USA.

[genphreak]

I really don't like the Haynes manuals, they are less applicable, and of less use, than toilet paper. The Bently is a tome and costs $52USD on eBay, etc.
Anything else (in comparison to it) is a complete waste of time, not just when it comes to e32s and e34s. Best of luck, Nick

[Paul in NZ]

when you install the new brake light switch do not oush the red retaning cylinder all the way in just push it in the minimum ammount...this allows the switch to "find its own level.DONT ask me how i found this out.....