1998 BMW 323i a few questions (long)

[BMWinFL]

Hello,

Still realtively new to my BMW and this blog, but things are going well with my new-to-me BMW. First question is my top. I have a manual top so no issues there, but my top seems to be coming apart. I replaced the back window in Feburary, now over the rear bow o the top the rear section has come unstitched. its only about one inch. I plan too try too restitch the seem, because the patch is ugly, and a new top is pricey. the top is in pretty good shape otherwise no wear marks or holes. has anyone had anyluck with fixing a seem. Any tips to fixing the seem? Also is a DIY top replacement a major undertaking. I replaced a top on my 1993 Saab 900 but that top didnt have a rear section that lifted.

My next question is the rear light bulbs. My car tells me that I have a brake circuit failure. I have checked and re-checked all my lights and they all work even when this message is displayed (it doesnt do it all the time). My mechanic said that it could be the wrong bulbs causing this but none of my lights seem brighter than the other, like he suggested. I read the E36 troublespot guide on the rear light harness rubbing and failure. But I was unable too see any rubbing or deteriation on the harness when I checked behind the trunk trim. So i guess my question is what is the right bulb too use? Thanks in advance!

[David Mc]

Replace the brake light switch (above the brake pedal) - this is a common fault. Everything worked fine on my E36, just kept getting the annoying "brake light circuit" fault message on my OBC. Installed a new pedal switch and I haven't seen the problem since.