Are you grappling with a BMW reverse lamp malfunction? If so, you should know that it’s a common problem with this popular German car make, especially the X3.
Frankly, I don’t mean to scare any BMW owners who haven’t experienced it yet, but you just might someday.
So, why does BMW reverse lamp fail? Well, several issues can cause that with the most common ones being as follows;
- Physical damage.
- Poor wiring.
- A blown or worn-out bulb.
- A dirty bulb holder.
- A bad fuse.
- Gearbox switch failure.
Contents
Possible Causes
1. Physical Damage
If someone or something has knocked down your reverse lamp(s) and caused physical damage to the reverse lamp(s), this can cause the lamp(s) to malfunction. Always park or reverse your car safely to avoid any chances of that.
2. Poor Wiring
If you took your car to an incompetent mechanic for wiring who then did a poor job, this could cause a reverse lamp malfunction in your car. BMW’s wiring is very sensitive and any slight error could have an impact on your lights.
3. A Blown Or Worn Out Bulb
The reverse lamp consists of a bulb, which normally acts as the source of light in the lamp. Sadly, this bulb can blow out due to faulty circuitry resulting from poor wiring, and so on.
It’s also prone to natural wear and tear that results from everyday use. All these issues can cause the lamp to malfunction.
To avoid that, ensure your car’s electrical wiring is good and without any issues at all times. What’s more, always avoid overusing your reverse lamps by replacing them as necessary after a certain duration recommended by the manufacturer.
4. A Bad Bulb Holder
Actually, a bad bulb holder is a major culprit for this problem. Your reverse lamp bulb holders can be affected by dirt, corrosion, and other issues.
All these problems can hinder its function, blocking the flow of electrical current to the bulb thus preventing the lamp from functioning. It’s always good to check your reverse bulb holders regularly, replacing those that need replacing accordingly.
5. A Bad Fuse
Your BMW’s reverse lamp is equipped with a fuse to protect it from excessive electrical current that can otherwise blow it out. A bad fuse will leave your bulb susceptible to short circuits, over-currents, and mismatched load connections.
All these issues can damage the bulb, causing the lamp to malfunction.
6. Gearbox/Backup Light Switch Failure
Your BMW’s gearbox switch is what directly controls its reverse lights. That means if it fails, the lights will malfunction.
If gearbox switch failure is the root cause of the problem, have a professional repair or replace the switch to restore your reverse lights. BMW components are very complex and sensitive.
To avoid potential after-service problems, it’s best that you take your car to a service professional recommended by BMW.
How To Fix a BMW Reverse Lamp Malfunction?
To do so, you’ll need to simply address the root cause of the problem, which can be attributed to several issues. These include physical damage, poor wiring, and gearbox switch failure. The rest are a blown or worn-out bulb, a bad bulb holder, a bad fuse, and so on.
- Physical damage: repair or replace the damaged lamp or its component accordingly.
- Poor wiring: correct your car’s wiring as necessary.
- Backup light switch failure: Service, repair or replace the gearbox switch as need be.
- A blown or worn-out bulb: Replace the bulb as necessary.
- A bad bulb holder: Replace the bulb holder accordingly.
- A bad fuse: Replace the fuse as needed.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix This Problem?
- Physical damage to the lamp: $106 on average, with $11 for parts and $95 for labor.
- Poor wiring: between $1200 and $1500 depending on the car, amount of wiring, and time spent on repairs.
- Gearbox/backup light switch failure: The average cost for backup light switch replacement is between $97 and $109, depending on the car’s make and model. inclusive of labor.
- A blown or worn-out bulb: a reverse light bulb replacement cost for your BMW can be within the $10 – $45 range, depending on the car model.
- A bad fuse: BMW fuse replacement costs around $40, including labor.
Does Replacing the Fuse Resolve a Failing Reverse Lamp?
The short answer is yes, and I explained how earlier.
Conclusion
Your BMW’s reverse lamp is crucial because it warns people or other vehicles on the road that your car is about to move backward.
So, don’t neglect it even though a lot of things can cause it to malfunction. These include physical damage, poor wiring, a blown or worn-out bulb, a dirty bulb holder, a bad fuse, and gearbox switch failure.
The good thing is that you now know what to do in case your lamp fails due to any of these issues.
