BMW Canada just quoted me $1300 for this problem...... thank god I watched ur video! I had exact same situation.... simple fix..... cost me zero as I had materials!
Dude I watch 100s of these videos. Thanks for the extra info. Thanks for also being direct to the point. Lots of help. Probably for a lot of people. Thanks
Like many of your other post this one proved most helpful. I recently received a warning ticket for license plate lights being out. I has no idea of how to begin to repair this. But because I am a subscriber - you had the solution that worked for me. Thanks!
My license plate lights were not working. Had no idea. After this video, i did the same as on this video. And there it was. One cable was broken. Fixed it. Now its working. Thank you very much buddy!
Bro, I have to say, your videos are the best RE anything E46 related. Keep up the great work! Wish you all the best as a mechanic and hope your business is successful. from the U.K. ✊
Gotta do this on my E46 now yaara, reverse light on drivers side and fog light have stopped working 🤦🏻♂️ many years later your videos still help us bro. 🙏✌🏼
Spot on ! Must cut the rubber tube to find the fault(s). I found three broken wires and a couple more that were about to fail. All lights working now and no warning on dashboard. Thanks a lot
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO, I CHECKED OUT WHAT YOU SAID AND OMG 4 WIRES WERE BROKEN, AFTER I SOLDERING THEM,,, ALL PROBLEMS GONE (REVERSE LIGHTS, NUMBER PLATE LIGHTS AND BOOT WAS NOT OPENING) ALL FIXED, THANK YOU SO MUCH MIGHT.
Just fixed mine right now my license plate lights didn't work and my trunk button didn't work i soldered to wires and boom they both work now couldn't be happier thanks bro
Great vid. Just one note. I did this on my e90 and if you disconnect the wires to the lights and the plugs tha hold the wires secure it gives you enough play in the wires so you don’t have to cut the rubber. It’s a little fiddly but doable.
Fixed that a annoying problem couple of times. I had never cut the rubber tube. Also used shrinking tube instead of electrical tape. But that takes a lot of time and patience. Usually the brown wires are broken. Love your channel. ;)
If your wires are fine check the left license plate light, the ground for the button goes through it and the socket might be corroded (mine had this problem)
Thank you for the video. Followed your suggestions and found 4 wire breaks plus another 4 wires about to break. Soldered/taped them all, and now my backup lights, trunk lights, and license lights are working again. I have been without trunk lights for 10-15 years. Yeah!!!
Thanks a lot for the video. I did request it as my car has the same problem. I’m a bit concerned about cutting the rubber. Guess I need to be brave!! :D Thanks again!!! :)
Thanks for the video. My boot was only opening with a key due to a broken ground wire. I joined the wire and it's working perfectly and the lights work
All my wires and connectors looked fine, bulbs, license plate lights, fuses, side mirror, parking sensors etc all work. Even my rear back up camera thats spliced into the reverse lights but the lights themselves don't work. Could it some how be the reverse switch?
Awesome video bro super helpful if only u did this along time ago but I solved it long time ago but still there isnt a video that shows you the process #shoplife
Noticed the brown wiring in my 330ci cab boot lid was broken. My indicators don't flash on the cluster and nor does the radio work! I'm thinking the the broken brown wiring has something to do with it.
I appreciate this so much, I have been watching your videos since I bought my E46 328ci Manual. Is it true I can use a Z4 2003-2008 Shift lever and it will be the same as installing a short shifter?
Hello, I am about to fix broken wires in the hose on my car, I was wondering if crimping is better than soldering the wires? I have moved up and down with trunk lid and the strain on the wires is severe so I am not sure how long the solder joints will withstand bending of this kind. Crimping wires tends to be more physically strong connection but the crimp joint is much larger and takes more space around non-damaged wires and now I can't decide which method to choose. There are more wires broken there so more joints of either kind will be required, what do you think?
Quick question. Both my reverse light doesn’t work anymore.. was only one side working for awhile.. i thought it was the bulb. Until the other stop working as well.. with the reverse light being out.. would that have anything to do with tranny going on limp mode? Like i lost the p,r,d,4 3&2 sign in the dash are gone. It only have the gear sigh with ( ! ) that in it.. meaning i’m on limp mode.. would having an issuie with wiring do that? And the fuse in the tcm box that is in the small black rectangular casing that has 5 fuses one kept popping 30amp. Is that aomething have to do with reverse witing?
Hey brother. Im having wierd problem on my bmw e46 2004 coupe. Back reverse lights arent working also plates lighting doesnt work with my new canbus lights whie it works on my really weak led lights but once i put canbus instead of these old ones it stop working. I added a ground from break light and it works and lighting is way better. Any idea where problem could be? Thanks
I have this problem with the 540. left license plate light, trunk light and the cd changer is on the fritz......while I'm here should i replace my worn clutch with a self adjusting or non self adjusting clutch kit? and aside from the rear main seal what else should i replace while the mechanic is in there. Thanks in advance.
I am going to try this. Ugh I am a little nervous, but I think I can do it. Getting no power to socket on the tag light, trunk won't open unless manually with key. Thanks!
Hello Jessica did you fix your trunk ? I have the same issue. I even purchased another lock latch mechanism and wont work. I just came across this video.
all ur vids rock for sure .. and even showing that remedial bullshit has to be done but like the comment below asks can you do something on the xi wagon ? it would be cool to see more AWD stuff like drivetrain and suspention.. anyway keep up the great work
Hi!, i had a BMW 330i 2001 i want to order a parts but i don't know how they called it, i've been searching in the net but i doesn't help me at all what i'm looking, how do you call that frame where you install the rear license plate bulb.
I just repaired my wires just like you said (trunk button didnt worked before, number plate light didnt worked, reverse lights didnt worked) and all of them are working fine.........but after a few moments i discovered another problem: my plate lights are always on, from the moment i unlock the car until i lock it again. They dont go off at all when the car is unlocked. If the car is locked and i open the trunk from the key, the number plate lights go on(this thing is super ok). Do you have any idea of this problem? I cant find anywhere an answer to this problem. Thank you!
My keyfob doesn't open the trunk, the dash indicator light show the truck is open, I am thinking its the trunk jam switch, and the button does not work either.
I recently bought a 2002 E46 325i, and in the trunk, on the left side of the car, there seems to be a bit of wiring harness that was cut or something, the car runs and drives, the tail lights work as far as I know, I don't know what this wiring harness is for or why it looks like it may have been cut, all the interior paneling and sound deadening from the trunk was removed by a previous owner.
Good idea, but I didn't have to cut the rubber in order to fix it, the wire snapped closer to the top, so before you cut it - make sure you don't see the break point.
hey mate 2024 and still need this xD Can someone help me with my e46? got one reversing light working and the other doesn't, and its a power problem, no current arrives to the right reverse light, assuming that will be a broken wire, do you know if from the trunk to the trunk lid are going two separate wires, one for each reverse light or only one ? and the de split is done on the trunk lid? help me
Hey bro I've been trying to figure out my tail light issues.. my passenger side blinker blinks on the break light and not the actual amber part . I fixed the issues with the licence plate but I can't figure it out
if that would be my case -> I would replace all the wiring there. few months ago my PDC was having trouble, there was a brake in the cable, couldn't figure out which cable or what place, so replaced all the pdc wires, costed 44 EUR, affordable price.
I've got 4 brown cables split, soldered them back together and the licence plate light and the trunk button still doesn't work,thez all look exactly the same is it possible I mixed them up ? if so how do I find out wich wire goes where ?
I just hooked all the brown lines, problem now my car wont start. Tomorrow I'm going to cut the brown lines one at a time and see if my car starts. I have to get the wiring diagram for the trunk.
I found my number light problem and also the head light load sensor wires broken. The loom is too tight. Take some slack from the boot lid side and things will bee better.
Hello my friend. My car bmw e46 325i m54 engine. Morning and cool start problem, I replacement CCV, system fuel pump fuel filter, cleaning injection system, replacing crankshaft sensor. Nothing don't solved. I thing Mey be this problem camshaft sensor. Please recommended what I can do?
I appreciate how you found the problem, but wow, this really indicates terrible workmanship on BMW's part. This wiring harness is a part that should NEVER fail unless messed with.
I have a 2000 328i that is dying a little more each day... Anyone else realize that BMW should have replaced the whole wiring harness as a recall. These cars have a ridiculous number of wiring issues. The harness is way too light for the job--especially the ground wires. Chinese quality on a German car that claims to be a luxury model is a big disappointment. I have never had a car with so many electrical problems before.
I ended up soldering every wire in the loom. Took me a few hours, with prep work and final clean up. Everything works now, even trunk unlock works everytime now, I thought my fob battery was going bad.
So many years later and these videos are still helping me out.
Thank you so much
Appreciate the way you keep these iconic e46 BMWs running with quality repairs.
BMW Canada just quoted me $1300 for this problem...... thank god I watched ur video! I had exact same situation.... simple fix..... cost me zero as I had materials!
Dude I watch 100s of these videos. Thanks for the extra info. Thanks for also being direct to the point. Lots of help. Probably for a lot of people. Thanks
Like many of your other post this one proved most helpful. I recently received a warning ticket for license plate lights being out. I has no idea of how to begin to repair this. But because I am a subscriber - you had the solution that worked for me. Thanks!
My license plate lights were not working. Had no idea. After this video, i did the same as on this video. And there it was. One cable was broken. Fixed it. Now its working. Thank you very much buddy!
Bro, I have to say, your videos are the best RE anything E46 related. Keep up the great work! Wish you all the best as a mechanic and hope your business is successful. from the U.K. ✊
Hi Jason. Whenever fault in my car, I always look first ShopLifeTV. Fixed my same problem, the brown wire was a broken. Thanks for this video.
Gotta do this on my E46 now yaara, reverse light on drivers side and fog light have stopped working 🤦🏻♂️ many years later your videos still help us bro. 🙏✌🏼
Spot on ! Must cut the rubber tube to find the fault(s). I found three broken wires and a couple more that were about to fail. All lights working now and no warning on dashboard. Thanks a lot
Shoplife repaired my car!! (My car in video) 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO, I CHECKED OUT WHAT YOU SAID AND OMG 4 WIRES WERE BROKEN, AFTER I SOLDERING THEM,,, ALL PROBLEMS GONE (REVERSE LIGHTS, NUMBER PLATE LIGHTS AND BOOT WAS NOT OPENING) ALL FIXED, THANK YOU SO MUCH MIGHT.
Awesome!
Top notch I would say and saved me a quwestionable garage bill. Spot on sir. Thank you! You were not wrong, that was the problem solved for me :)
Just fixed mine right now my license plate lights didn't work and my trunk button didn't work i soldered to wires and boom they both work now couldn't be happier thanks bro
Great vid. Just one note. I did this on my e90 and if you disconnect the wires to the lights and the plugs tha hold the wires secure it gives you enough play in the wires so you don’t have to cut the rubber. It’s a little fiddly but doable.
Fixed that a annoying problem couple of times. I had never cut the rubber tube. Also used shrinking tube instead of electrical tape. But that takes a lot of time and patience.
Usually the brown wires are broken.
Love your channel. ;)
Thanks for sharing this video with us. I have this problem with my 323i 2000
If your wires are fine check the left license plate light, the ground for the button goes through it and the socket might be corroded (mine had this problem)
How did you fix it? Did you have to buy the whole thing? Thanks :)
I've cleaned the connection and change the bulb
Thank you for the video. Followed your suggestions and found 4 wire breaks plus another 4 wires about to break. Soldered/taped them all, and now my backup lights, trunk lights, and license lights are working again. I have been without trunk lights for 10-15 years. Yeah!!!
Thank you so much shop life you just save me $400.
Thanks. My rear number plates were not working on my E46. Broken wire in the loom. Many thanks. 👍
Glad it helped
Nice 46 dude. I have just bought one for fun. I had a few 8 years ago and I have not had anything close to the fun I had in it
Thanks man! Perfect diagnosis...who would have thought.
Thanks a lot for the video. I did request it as my car has the same problem. I’m a bit concerned about cutting the rubber. Guess I need to be brave!! :D Thanks again!!! :)
Thanks for the video. My boot was only opening with a key due to a broken ground wire. I joined the wire and it's working perfectly and the lights work
Great info Jason. I just did this repair on the 323 but I had to go deeper to trace the shorted ground wire.
All my wires and connectors looked fine, bulbs, license plate lights, fuses, side mirror, parking sensors etc all work. Even my rear back up camera thats spliced into the reverse lights but the lights themselves don't work. Could it some how be the reverse switch?
i like the e46 diy videos! never stop them lol
thank you for this post, very helpful.
Any chance you have a solution for the two trunk buttons not working but the lights work?
greetngs from Serbia...I have a question...where is the e46 multimedia module located?
Great video!
Great do you know the part number of the expanding revits in light grey color?
Thanks for the video. That was the problem on my wife's 325ci !!
Thanks man it was the problem👌
I'm assuming it's the same for a e39 530i as well
Funny, this video is old, I just repaired my trunk wiring in my 02 325xi and this video pops up 2 weeks later. Great video though!
Awesome video bro super helpful if only u did this along time ago but I solved it long time ago but still there isnt a video that shows you the process #shoplife
Nice Video 👌👌👏👏
Dude thanks a million. Wish I had done this before buying that stupid $60 micro switch...
Bro you alone have literally kept my e46 driving the last 2 years
Not sure if this would work for me. I have a 2007 bmw 328i. The reverse light don’t work would this work
Hi, i wonder if you have planned a video on how to fix rear parking sensors including how to remove the wiring loom on a E46 2004 Touring?
Thank you
all my trunk lights work but the latch release button doesn't. what do you suggest I replace?
Noticed the brown wiring in my 330ci cab boot lid was broken. My indicators don't flash on the cluster and nor does the radio work! I'm thinking the the broken brown wiring has something to do with it.
Thanks..bcz of u solved the prob.
Thanks for this video
Hello again. I see the coments how to remove the center console and you guy ask if you do restoration center console. You have this video?
I appreciate this so much, I have been watching your videos since I bought my E46 328ci Manual. Is it true I can use a Z4 2003-2008 Shift lever and it will be the same as installing a short shifter?
I need your help my 325 2003 xi won’t shut the break lights off😊
Hello, I am about to fix broken wires in the hose on my car, I was wondering if crimping is better than soldering the wires? I have moved up and down with trunk lid and the strain on the wires is severe so I am not sure how long the solder joints will withstand bending of this kind. Crimping wires tends to be more physically strong connection but the crimp joint is much larger and takes more space around non-damaged wires and now I can't decide which method to choose. There are more wires broken there so more joints of either kind will be required, what do you think?
Quick question. Both my reverse light doesn’t work anymore.. was only one side working for awhile.. i thought it was the bulb. Until the other stop working as well.. with the reverse light being out.. would that have anything to do with tranny going on limp mode? Like i lost the p,r,d,4 3&2 sign in the dash are gone. It only have the gear sigh with ( ! ) that in it.. meaning i’m on limp mode.. would having an issuie with wiring do that? And the fuse in the tcm box that is in the small black rectangular casing that has 5 fuses one kept popping 30amp. Is that aomething have to do with reverse witing?
Any diy suggestions for a stuck glovebox for a convertible e46 I’m having that problem /: it would be really cool to see a video like that lol
Hey brother. Im having wierd problem on my bmw e46 2004 coupe. Back reverse lights arent working also plates lighting doesnt work with my new canbus lights whie it works on my really weak led lights but once i put canbus instead of these old ones it stop working. I added a ground from break light and it works and lighting is way better. Any idea where problem could be? Thanks
Hey, after this replace the car starts to beep when I turn the keys. Is there some sujestion about what can happen? Some fuse?
I have this problem with the 540. left license plate light, trunk light and the cd changer is on the fritz......while I'm here should i replace my worn clutch with a self adjusting or non self adjusting clutch kit? and aside from the rear main seal what else should i replace while the mechanic is in there. Thanks in advance.
Hello. How to remove and renove the plastic outdoor? If you can help is nice. Sorry my english xD
Perfect thanks
Hey Jason awesome video can you do a DIY for transmission mounts for your xi wagon?
I am going to try this. Ugh I am a little nervous, but I think I can do it. Getting no power to socket on the tag light, trunk won't open unless manually with key. Thanks!
Hello Jessica did you fix your trunk ? I have the same issue. I even purchased another lock latch mechanism and wont work. I just came across this video.
all ur vids rock for sure .. and even showing that remedial bullshit has to be done but like the comment below asks can you do something on the xi wagon ? it would be cool to see more AWD stuff like drivetrain and suspention.. anyway keep up the great work
my wagon is not xi but when I get another wagon that is I will make videos on it
Hi!, i had a BMW 330i 2001 i want to order a parts but i don't know how they called it, i've been searching in the net but i doesn't help me at all what i'm looking, how do you call that frame where you install the rear license plate bulb.
Can you do a brake light staying on issue..
I just repaired my wires just like you said (trunk button didnt worked before, number plate light didnt worked, reverse lights didnt worked) and all of them are working fine.........but after a few moments i discovered another problem: my plate lights are always on, from the moment i unlock the car until i lock it again. They dont go off at all when the car is unlocked. If the car is locked and i open the trunk from the key, the number plate lights go on(this thing is super ok). Do you have any idea of this problem? I cant find anywhere an answer to this problem. Thank you!
Tnx bro 😉
My friend can you please do a DIY on a oil pan gasket replacement on a 325 Xi model please!!!
My keyfob doesn't open the trunk, the dash indicator light show the truck is open, I am thinking its the trunk jam switch, and the button does not work either.
I have same problem!! Did you get it fixed?
I recently bought a 2002 E46 325i, and in the trunk, on the left side of the car, there seems to be a bit of wiring harness that was cut or something, the car runs and drives, the tail lights work as far as I know, I don't know what this wiring harness is for or why it looks like it may have been cut, all the interior paneling and sound deadening from the trunk was removed by a previous owner.
thank you
Good idea, but I didn't have to cut the rubber in order to fix it, the wire snapped closer to the top, so before you cut it - make sure you don't see the break point.
I️ remember doing this a while back
hey mate 2024 and still need this xD
Can someone help me with my e46?
got one reversing light working and the other doesn't, and its a power problem, no current arrives to the right reverse light, assuming that will be a broken wire, do you know if from the trunk to the trunk lid are going two separate wires, one for each reverse light or only one ? and the de split is done on the trunk lid? help me
Hey bro I've been trying to figure out my tail light issues.. my passenger side blinker blinks on the break light and not the actual amber part . I fixed the issues with the licence plate but I can't figure it out
Would this also be a common problem on E-36's ?
I believe it is. Cant wait to look on my vert its had a battery drain for years
if that would be my case -> I would replace all the wiring there. few months ago my PDC was having trouble, there was a brake in the cable, couldn't figure out which cable or what place, so replaced all the pdc wires, costed 44 EUR, affordable price.
I've got 4 brown cables split, soldered them back together and the licence plate light and the trunk button still doesn't work,thez all look exactly the same is it possible I mixed them up ? if so how do I find out wich wire goes where ?
I just hooked all the brown lines, problem now my car wont start. Tomorrow I'm going to cut the brown lines one at a time and see if my car starts. I have to get the wiring diagram for the trunk.
You would just wire them in place temp until everything works
Thank you man. I'm using tin snips, I would not like to fillet some other wires or my hand. :-)
Can somebody tell me if there is a difference between pre-facelift and facelift trunk/boot lid?
I found my number light problem and also the head light load sensor wires broken. The loom is too tight. Take some slack from the boot lid side and things will bee better.
Hello, my BMW E46 trunk button does not open, but through the remote I can open,
Hello my friend. My car bmw e46 325i m54 engine. Morning and cool start problem, I replacement CCV, system fuel pump fuel filter, cleaning injection system, replacing crankshaft sensor. Nothing don't solved. I thing Mey be this problem camshaft sensor. Please recommended what I can do?
Ilqar I do you mean there’s like squeaking when you start the Beamer?
Ouch! Cutting that rubber cable housing… noooooo
i did this and it still wont open unless i have the key
I appreciate how you found the problem, but wow, this really indicates terrible workmanship on BMW's part. This wiring harness is a part that should NEVER fail unless messed with.
How can I fix it?
Where the fuse for the truck
what wire color is the tail light bulb? BMW e90
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I have a 2000 328i that is dying a little more each day... Anyone else realize that BMW should have replaced the whole wiring harness as a recall. These cars have a ridiculous number of wiring issues. The harness is way too light for the job--especially the ground wires. Chinese quality on a German car that claims to be a luxury model is a big disappointment. I have never had a car with so many electrical problems before.
They should have made a connector at the trunk point, when wires. Break, one just orders a new connector bundle , problem solved
I ended up soldering every wire in the loom. Took me a few hours, with prep work and final clean up. Everything works now, even trunk unlock works everytime now, I thought my fob battery was going bad.
You cut them i guess
I tought you are going to say....In case still no working.....cause thiosr cables you just cut them
I drive *an* //M
no
Congratulations, that information helped us with the trunk repair
Been there...done that...soon you will have same problem