E39 Headlights dim when I press the brakes

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Jeff - 05 Oct 2007 05:08 GMT

Hello,

I have a 2000 E39.

Tonight when I started the car, the "Service engine soon" light was
illuminated. The car seemed to be running fine. I started to notice though
when my foot hits the brake pedal the headlights will dim. It seem to get
more noticeable later.

What could be the problem?

Thanks,
Jeff

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Jeff Strickland - 05 Oct 2007 16:08 GMT

The Check Engine light means the computer has detected a problem and stored
a code. You need to find out what the code is.

Your car is OBD II (on board diagnostics, level 2) compliant. This means you
can buy a code reader at virtually any auto parts store for about the same
price as paying BMW to plug in the reader they have and pull the codes for
you, OR you can ask them at AutoZone to pull the codes or let you use the
scan tool and pull the codes yourself. AutoZone does this for free.

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks,
> Jeff

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Dave Plowman (News) - 05 Oct 2007 18:17 GMT

> Tonight when I started the car, the "Service engine soon" light was
> illuminated. The car seemed to be running fine. I started to notice
> though when my foot hits the brake pedal the headlights will dim. It
> seem to get more noticeable later.

> What could be the problem?

Lights dimming when you press the brakes sounds like the alternator isn't
charging properly.

Signature

*The statement above is false

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

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DCA - 06 Oct 2007 17:38 GMT

>
>> Tonight when I started the car, the "Service engine soon" light was
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>

More likely to be a wiring problem.

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ewoke1@hotmail.com - 09 Oct 2007 18:32 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks,
> Jeff

You might check your charging system and your battery it might have
lose connections/if it was the alternator it would do it when you
turned on or off any electrical appliance....

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DCA - 12 Oct 2007 07:18 GMT

>
>> Hello,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
>

Nahh - if things were that bad he never start the beast.
It will likely be corrosion on one of the light units

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