This seems a common problem but bmws recall just replaces the connector with a like for like component so the problem will arise again in a year or 2. Bmw e46 tail light turn signal light upgrades.
If the connector clip see step 3 is badly damaged you would also.
Bmw e46 rear light wiring diagram. Bmw e46 lsz wiring description these are taken from the e46 4 dr sedan us left hand drive 200109 and up wiring diagram. Bmw led tail light installation diy stealth auto tech tips. Bmw e46 rear light warning fix.
Bmw x3 led rear light not working repair duration. In this quick video i show you how to fix a wiring issue that can cause issues with your trunk button reverse lights trunk lights trunk latch and license plate lights. Below is a view of the 2001 bmw 325i e46 rear light assembly once it has been removed from the trunk area.
The design problem appears to be in the material bmw chose for the ground return circuit in the tail light assembly stamped steel sheathing. The problem occurs because the ground on the connector is not wide enough for the current load hence why the wire gets really hot and melts the housing creating a lose contact and showing the intermittent tail lamp out indicator on the dash. I solved it instead using one single wire connection back into the bmw 325i e46 wire harness.
My connector wasnt too bad but was still giving me an intermittent bulb out warning light. Bmw e46 3 series rear tail light bulb warning earth issue fix.