Expert: Josh Fields - 5/8/2006

Question
Josh,
This past weekend we had some sever rain storms. Afterwards I found that a) I had water in the trunk of my BMW 325E, and 2) My brake lights didn't work any more.

I checked all the fuses, bulbs and connections and they still do not work. Is there somewhere else that I can check to see if I can get the brake lights to work?

Thanks

Answer
Donovan,

 Wiring issues are always a pain, likely the rain came in around your antenna, or a bad seal around the trunk lid.  This humidity may have gotten in the connections and is preventing a solid connection.  First I would get a multimeter, and test for voltage at the lights.  If you are receiving 12V (approximately) at the lights, then it is a problem with the bulb connection.  
 If you aren't getting 12v at the rear, try to find out why.  trace the wires back and make sure they aren't worn and grounding out on the frame some where.

 Also, there is a switch on the brake pedal that controls the brake lights.  If this switch is bad/broken it could be your problem as well.  Check this first.

 Hope this helps,
 Josh