BMW 3 Series Brake Light Switch Issue, DIY or Repair?

Hey! I can relate to this issue. I have a 2011 BMW 5 Series Hybrid and had a similar brake light warning last year. The brake light switch on these models can definitely be tricky. Mine turned out to be more than just the switch, there was a wiring harness issue that was causing intermittent false signals to the computer. The whole brake sensor system needed recalibration after the repair. The technician discovered that moisture had gotten into the connector, causing corrosion. This is actually a known problem with these models. While the fix wasn't super complex, it did require specific diagnostic equipment to properly reset the system. I'd suggest having it checked soon, as brake-related issues shouldn't be ignored. Make sure whoever works on it has experience with BMW hybrid systems, they're a bit different from standard models. The repair was significant enough that I wouldn't recommend trying to fix it yourself. Not trying to worry you, but better to address it now than wait for it to become a bigger problem.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful information about the wiring harness and moisture issue. Actually went ahead and got it fixed last week, sounds similar to what you described. Mind if I ask how much you ended up paying for your repair? Also, have you had any other brake-related problems pop up since then? Just want to know what I might need to watch out for in the future.

Hey again! Glad to hear you got it sorted out! You know what's funny, in my case, it turned out to be much simpler than what I initially described. After seeing the mechanic, they found that the brake light switch was just not properly engaged, basically a mechanical error from when I had previously checked it myself. Talk about feeling a bit silly! Unlike my first experience that I shared, there was actually no need for any complex repairs or system recalibration. The mechanic just properly reseated the switch, and voila, problem solved! Best part? It didn't cost me anything since it was such a simple fix. Since then, I haven't had any brake-related issues at all. The system's been working perfectly fine. But I learned my lesson about messing with these components without proper knowledge. Sometimes what seems like a major problem can turn out to be something really minor. Just goes to show it's always worth getting a professional opinion! If your repair was more extensive than mine, I'd still recommend keeping an eye on it, but these systems are generally pretty reliable once properly fixed.

Thanks for the update on your experience! That's actually pretty funny about the switch just needing to be reseated. Wish mine had been that simple! So I took mine to a new mechanic last week, much better experience than my previous guy. Turned out I had a combination of issues. The switch itself was faulty and there was some minor corrosion in the wiring. Total bill came to about €400 including the diagnostic work. Bit pricey, but at least they thoroughly explained everything. The mechanic also showed me exactly what was wrong, which I really appreciated. Much better than my last experience where they just handed me a bill without any explanation. The brake system's working perfectly now, no more warning lights! Definitely feeling better about the whole situation, even if my wallet's a bit lighter. Guess sometimes you have to spend a bit more to get things done right. Thanks again for all your help, really made me feel better about getting it checked out properly!