Avantime Brake Light Failure

Your predicament echoes a problem I faced some time ago with my BMW E39. The symptoms you describe – the brake light malfunction, the error message – align almost perfectly with my own experience. In my case, the culprit was indeed the brake light switch. I would, however, urge caution before replacing it outright. Have you verified the integrity of the electrical circuit? A faulty ground or a corroded connector can mimic the symptoms of a failed switch.

That's an insightful observation. I confess, in my haste, I neglected to thoroughly scrutinize the electrical circuit. Could you elaborate on the specific areas I should inspect, and perhaps offer some guidance on how to ascertain the integrity of the ground connection? I would be grateful for any further wisdom you might impart.

Certainly. Begin by meticulously examining the wiring harness leading to the brake light switch for any signs of chafing or damage. Pay particular attention to the connector itself; corrosion can often be subtle yet disruptive. To assess the ground connection, use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the ground terminal and a known good ground point on the vehicle's chassis. A resistance significantly above zero ohms indicates a compromised ground. However, my experience with the BMW suggests a workshop visit might save time and trouble.

I extend my sincere gratitude for your guidance. Following your suggestion, I re-examined the brake light switch, cleaned the connectors, and it seems that the error was induced by myself as I was working in the footwell. I have cleared the code and the error is gone. It seems the repair will cost 0€ Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom.