Recall 11V-438 - Repair Rear Lamp(s) Ground Cable: Overview
SI B63 06 11Lights
May 2012
Technical Service
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B63 06 11 dated February 2012.
PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS.
BMW centers must ensure recalls are completed after having been notified by BMW of North America, LLC (BMWNA) that a safety-related defect or noncompliance exists in any motor vehicle or item of replacement equipment in the center's possession at the time of notification. In BMW NA's case, this notification would typically be made by the issuance of a recall notification in the form of a Service Information bulletin (SIB) or transmission of a Dealer Communication System (DCS) recall message.
Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended, if a recall campaign is announced by BMW NA, centers must ensure that all recalls on new vehicles and new items of replacement equipment are completed BEFORE delivery to the consumer. This means that centers may not legally deliver new motor vehicles or new items of replacement equipment to consumers with an open recall.
The Safety Act also prohibits centers from selling or leasing the motor vehicle or item of replacement equipment, unless and until the open recall has been completed BEFORE delivery. This also pertains to vehicles in the Certified Pre-Owned program, and to items of replacement equipment.
Finally, BMW centers should not sell or use parts that have been recalled by BMW NA. Please follow the specific instructions provided by BMW NA on the return or disposition of the parts.
[NEW] designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
Recall Campaign 11V-438: Repair Ground Cable for Rear Light Lamps (Side Panel)
MODEL
E46/4 (3 Series Sedan) produced from 9/1/01 to 02/01/05
SITUATION
One or more of the following lights does not function in the rear lamp assembly, mounted on the rear quarter panel (rear parking light, rear turn signal, and rear brake light).
CAUSE
A poor ground connection at the rear lamp assembly (connectors X338 left side - pin # 2 and X339 right side - pin # 3) causes a malfunction of the rear tail lamps.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
This Recall involves E46/4 (3 Series Sedan) vehicles produced from September 1, 2001 to February 01, 2005.
In order to determine whether a specific vehicle has had this Recall Campaign completed or is affected by this Recall Campaign, first check the B-pillar label for code number 599. If code number 599 has been punched out, the Recall Campaign has already been performed. If code number 599 has not been punched out, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System), or the Key Reader.
Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.
PROCEDURE
PARTS INFORMATION
LABEL INSTRUCTIONS
[NEW] WARRANTY INFORMATION