Brake light circuit message

[3050rpm]

I've been getting an intermittent "Brake Light Circuit" message on my display lately. Not every day, but it may be weather related, as I live in a cold and wintry region, so maybe the weather is playing with the electricals. The brake lights seem to work, at least the last time I checked, the other night, but can't tell yet during the day today. I couldn't find anything in the Bentley manual about this, anyone know about this? Is it a fuse, relay, or some other comparatively simple fix, or something more involved? Thanks.

[Manolito]

e36s have an array of different problems with brake lights, but a brake light circuit warning on the computer usually means that the brake light switch on the brake pedal arm is failing.

Park where you can see your brake lights shining on a wall in your rear view mirror. Then press the brake 10 times. If the brakes do not illuminate each of the ten times, it is the brake light switch on the pedal.

The easiest way to get the old one out is to crush it to bits with a large pair of pliers. You may have to straighten the bracket just a bit after it is out. Then the new one snaps right in.

Don't buy a cheap Chinese 'white box' switch or you will be replacing it again in a year. A good one is about $15 on line or $30 at the dealer.

[3050rpm]

Thanks for the reply. I had heard of the brake light switch being a problem, and from your overall description of the problem, plus the age of my mount, that sounds like it. I guess one more item to add to my upcoming order parts list...