Fix Your BMW Parking Light Malfunction: Step-by-Step Guide

A faulty parking light is a frequent problem, so don’t get discouraged when it happens to your BMW. The most common causes include damaged wiring, burnt-out bulbs, or failed fuses.

What Causes a BMW Parking Light to Malfunction?

Lighting problems are among the most typical issues vehicle owners encounter regularly. Even in a premium car like a BMW, lights can be easily damaged. Every driver will likely need to replace their parking lights at least once or twice during their car’s lifespan, making this a common issue to face.

BMW owners can opt for immediate professional servicing when a parking light fails, or they can investigate the issue themselves and try some DIY repairs on their vehicle.

The primary reasons for a parking light malfunction are a burnt-out bulb, a failed fuse, or defective wiring. Additionally, an accident could damage the parking lights, leading to their failure.

How to Check if Your BMW’s Parking Lights Are Faulty

As a modern luxury vehicle, a BMW is equipped with a diagnostic menu that displays the car’s status. Alerts can appear on the driver’s dashboard to indicate issues. However, sometimes the warning light doesn’t activate, leaving you unaware of a problem. Here’s a simple method to identify issues in your BMW that may not trigger a dashboard alert.

Use the steps below to confirm whether your parking lights are malfunctioning or if another issue requires attention.

• Start your vehicle and access the menu on the console dashboard.
• Navigate to vehicle information, then select vehicle status. The screen will display a 3D image of your car, with “Vehicle Status” at the top.
• The vehicle status screen offers six menu options. Scroll to the sixth option, labeled “Check Control.”
• Select it, and the next screen will list components needing attention. If the parking light is faulty, it will display “Parking Light Malfunction” with an orange triangle. A different warning indicates the issue lies elsewhere.
• If the parking light is confirmed as faulty, you can decide whether to replace the bulbs or fuses yourself.

How to Replace a BMW Parking Light Bulb

Since there are multiple parking light bulbs, you’ll need to identify which one is faulty.

Pop open your BMW’s hood and locate a large circular cover in the left and right corners of the engine compartment. These covers protect the parking light bulbs and can be removed.

Note that the shape of these covers may vary depending on your BMW model.

Remove the cover by twisting or lifting it to access the bulbs. Carefully twist and remove one bulb at a time.

Replace the faulty bulb with a new one. Depending on your BMW model, some vehicles have one parking light per side, while others have two.

Test each bulb individually after replacement to ensure functionality.

The parking light malfunction warning doesn’t specify which light is faulty, so you’ll need to check both the front left and front right lights.

How to Inspect the Parking Light Fuses

If replacing the bulbs doesn’t resolve the issue, the problem might lie with the fuses.

Your BMW has a fuse box, which you’ll need to locate to reset or replace the fuses.

The fuse box location varies by model. It might be under the passenger seat or near the parking lights by the engine.

Refer to your owner’s manual to decode the fuse box markings and locate the fuse for the parking lights.

Once located, remove the fuse and examine it. If it’s burnt or damaged, replace it with a new one.

If the fuse appears intact, remove it for a few seconds before reinserting it.

After replacing or resetting the fuse, start your vehicle and test the parking lights. They should now function correctly.

Faulty Wiring Issues

Several factors can cause wiring problems, such as improper factory installation, damage from a collision, or corrosion from leaking motor oil or coolant.

Inspect the wires connected to the parking lights for signs of corrosion or damage. If you find any, it’s best to take your BMW to a professional mechanic. The issue could also stem from the wiring harness, which organizes the wires.

Visit a Professional Mechanic

If troubleshooting the parking light issue feels overwhelming, you can take your BMW to a certified mechanic. This saves time and effort, especially if you’re comfortable covering the service costs.

Final Thoughts

The most frequent causes of a BMW parking light malfunction are faulty wiring, burnt-out bulbs, or blown fuses. Replacing bulbs and fuses is straightforward but can be time-consuming.

For wiring issues, it’s advisable to consult a mechanic. To confirm a parking light problem, use the BMW console’s vehicle status and check control settings.