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MOT due - bulb out warning but all bulbs fine

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Dr. Zed

Active member
Swindon
So I've had this on-going issue with my Z4 that my indicator blinks really fast when turning right. Initially thought it was a bulb but they're all fine. So the forum suggested it's the stalk. I have a new one, just haven't fitted it. However my MOT is due and I'm wondering if it'll fail with the warning on the dash even if the bulbs are in fact all working albeit flashing quicker as if there's a bulb out?

I have another car to use but I'm purely curious would it pass like this as there's technically no bulbs out so unless there's specific requirements for indicator flash speed/frequency.

Thanks!
 
Bulbs can work but still make the light come on. BMWScanner 1.4 will tell you which bulb made the light come on.
 
Seeing u have an E85, is it a prefacelift version?

My old E85 connectors got corroded over time in the boot.

Swapping one side over to the other, with an extra few twists solved my bulb warning

Good luck
 
enuff_zed said:
Forgive the obvious question, but why don't you fit the stalk then and see if it fixes it?
Click to expand...

Obvious solution to an obvious problem. It was purely just a curiosity questions. One which stemmed from seeing if it'd pass so that I can then replace the stalk when I can. The weather has turned slightly coming in August and the good days aren't lining up with the days I have off from my shift work.
 
Rockhopper said:
Bulbs can work but still make the light come on. BMWScanner 1.4 will tell you which bulb made the light come on.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I don't have access to that. Might see if I can find someone near by though.
 
Jembo said:
Seeing u have an E85, is it a prefacelift version?

My old E85 connectors got corroded over time in the boot.

Swapping one side over to the other, with an extra few twists solved my bulb warning

Good luck
Click to expand...

Can you direct me where I'd be looking? I do have the pre facelift yeah.
 
Dr. Zed said:
enuff_zed said:
Forgive the obvious question, but why don't you fit the stalk then and see if it fixes it?
Click to expand...

Obvious solution to an obvious problem. It was purely just a curiosity questions. One which stemmed from seeing if it'd pass so that I can then replace the stalk when I can. The weather has turned slightly coming in August and the good days aren't lining up with the days I have off from my shift work.
Click to expand...
Only person I know who actually needs a stalker. :rofl:
 
Assuming the warning would only trigger for external lights?

If it were me, I’d start with the rear. Unplug and reconnect… then test again. Then side indicators. Front id leave till last as more of a bugger to get inside the headlight.
 
Tbh, the big question we are all missing here is................. it's a BMW! How ever did you find this issue? :rofl:
 
If all bulbs work fine and it's only a bulb out problem then you could take the instrument cluster apart and tape over the light to get through Mot then find the cause.

The tester should look for all lights to display then go out but I think most don't.

Unless it's changed recently the fast flashing will be a minor, my car has this in its mot history. And my car had tape over the bulb out and airbag light which I didn't know about until scanning the car, both faults were caused by corroded connectors in the headlight and the passenger seat connector, and the car passed one mot with the bulb issue and at least two with the airbag one, I found it a year after owning the car
 
Check the bulb sockets first. When these go bad they could even start a fire! On my e39 I've found the 3rd brake lamp bulb socket melted :o have checked them all at the time then.
 
Has the OP not stuck a code reader on to see which bulb is triggering it? That would save an *awful* lot of guesswork.
 
You can also code the car so that it doesn't even check for a bulb out condition.
 
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