BMW E36 Tail light socket FIX!

If you're getting a "Tail light failure" warning on your dash here is the problem and the way to fix it! The problem is the tabs either make connect or they don't. I like the ease of bulb replacement but the metal is unfortunayely flimsy. A couple of bulb replacements during the car's life time will damage the tabs. The tabs might be bent, broken, or completely burnt off. The trick is to solder or add wire and a new connection. Here's what I did to fix the problem.

[@RonnieMondragon]

This is messed up on my son's car. Thank you for sharing this.

[@frankmaggio4328]

I'm glad I could help. I bought the depo brand for $169 yrs ago to replace my oem. after the depo messed up I figured this out....I could have kept my originals! Thank you for watching!!!!!

[@peaches_dirty6749]

mannnn thank you! mine has been not working for at least 3 months and i was even thinking about swapping them to a module... this is way easier.

[@frankmaggio4328]

Glad I could help!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@dethdeks]

legit just got a e36 sedan and was having issues with the tail lights kept stop working, deff going to be doing this fix on mine!

[@frankmaggio4328]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@miltonmartinez1922]

Thanks a lot ! I have that problem and I will be fixing it thanks to you !

[@frankmaggio4328]

Awesome to hear. Glad I could help! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@TiredoftheBS1562]

Thanks.... much appreciated
Cheers from Australia

[@frankmaggio4328]

Thanks for watching. I recently sold my car due to the transmission failing after 241k miles. Still miss that car.

[@TiredoftheBS1562]

@@frankmaggio4328 I bought my e36 1998 single vanos 2.5 litre six cylinder new I 1998.... I've done 472,000 km so far and the annoying problems have only surfaced in the last 2 years..... things like the tail light contacts crank sensor cam sensor alternator radiator water pump thermostat expansion tank rear wheel bearings clutch slave cylinder (manual box) clutch pressure plate flywheel gearbox.... okay I hear you.... WOW so many problems so much to pay out..... all those issues would have occurred on most other brands at least 2 or 3 times over the course of nearly 500,000 km..... the car is just about renewed..... so how many more years of enjoyment.... apart from the above I replaced the suspension at 270,000 km with bilstein shocks eibach coils turner motor sport bars and it handles like a slot car..... it tears off my face going around high speed bends.... handles like a race car.... I'll keep it for another 21 years..... I like my car..... cheers

[@jiriholik6695]

Thanks man that solve my problem :)

[@frankmaggio4328]

Happy to help! Still miss my 328i. May get another one soon!!!

[@CaelanMillar]

Super helpful! Could you tell me what type of wire you used? Going to try this fix on mine.
Thanks!

[@frankmaggio4328]

I believe I had either 14g or 16g lying around. I bought the spool from Advance Auto. Hope this helps.

[@Oisinohneill]

Smart fix !

[@frankmaggio4328]

awesome. thank you for watching!

[@FarhaanFareed]

Definitely helped. Double like

[@frankmaggio4328]

Glad I could help!! Thanks for watching!!

[@chinoperez6504]

Bro thank you so much for this !

[@frankmaggio4328]

I'm glad I can help the E36 community!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bigkalin91]

you help me tnx dude

[@frankmaggio4328]

glad I could help. I should have done a better job with editing and explaining but once you take it apart you can see the damage and how to bypass it. thanks for watching

[@lacedupgaming4837]

So was it just the running light that wasn’t working?

[@frankmaggio4328]

No it was the left brake right "on" when you hit the brake pedal. must have been an intermittent thing. I'd get that brake light message. the tab finally broke or the metal tab was damaged to no longer make the proper contact. I had to fix 2 bulbs on it total.

[@kamogelomanly163]

I need help brother 😪

[@frankmaggio4328]

did this trick not work for you