facelift e53 turn light signal bulb replacement passenger side

[omodos]

hello, so I dug out the manual from the glove box and absolutely no mention of how this is done, so I popped off the cover off the back and all i could see was the xenons....

Did some reading here and there, but can anyone confirm that the whole headlight unit needs to come forward out and over the bumper to get to the turn signal bulb? and how much slack is there once the screws are off and you can pull the headlamp forward? we talking an inch? or more?

better still and diys with pic regarding the screws that need to be removed?....i guess at 9.5 odd years old i cant complain at having to change a bulb but jeez it sould be an on the go type job.....and for the those that have done it on a facelift (mines a nov 2004 build) does it class as an easy diy? thanks in advance

[bcredliner]

Yes, the headlight assembly needs to be removed to change the parking light. Since your X5 was built after 10/03, the top part of the front bumper cover needs to be removed so the headlight assembly can move forward. I have the pre 10/3 type so someone else will need to chime in on bumper cover removal. I do know it is only secured by, I think, 8 screws. Some are visible with the hood open and the others are covered by round plugs.

The headlight assembly is secured at 4 points. 2 on top of the assembly and 2 behind and at the bottom of the assembly. Not sure about the 3.0D but you may have to remove the air filter assembly to get access to the bottom screws. You then can pull the headlight assembly forward enough to get to the parking light bulb. Be sure to mark the location of the assembly on the headlight assembly tabs or better yet, in addition, turn on the bright lights and mark where the headlights are aimed on a garage wall in front of where you parked. You may want to replace all the bulbs while you have the bumper cover off.

All in all it is not difficult. I do agree it is quite a bit more work than it should be. One the other hand, I upgraded my headlights about 6 months ago and the parking light bulbs were the original bulbs and still fine so it is not something that needs to be done often.

I don't know if there is a DIY. Did you search headlight removal or DIY section?

[X5SND]

If you have small hands it can be done without having to take the front bumper off....you can get away with removing the headlight housing bolts mentioned previously by BC, wiggle it forward and 3 point turn the bulb w/holder through the side fender. Only other alternative is to remove the front bumper (which is literally a 10 min job). Some prefer to remove the bumper as it gives you miles of room to work and less of a chance to scratch the bumper when you're moving the housing forward.

There's a bumper removal guide by TwinsPoppa that will guide you how to remove the bumper.

[omodos]

bcredliner and x5sne thanks for the feedback, I gave it a go, same on a facelift 3.0d as it is on the other facelifts, tips you supplied were great , I marked around the location of each washer that the securing screws go through, did it with masking masking tape so screws could go back in the original location, so as not to lose the beam alignment....but below points sound better , to quote you fellas:

"The headlight assembly is secured at 4 points. 2 on top of the assembly and 2 behind and at the bottom of the assembly. . You then can pull the headlight assembly forward enough to get to the parking light bulb. Be sure to mark the location of the assembly on the headlight assembly tabs or better yet, in addition, turn on the bright lights and mark where the headlights are aimed on a garage wall in front of where you parked. "

When I do the other side will take pics....but I reckon access to the bulbs should me much easier in the case you need to change em on the move and dont have a screwdriver and tape or old towel to protect the bumper as you wriggle to assembly out.....thanks again

[14thbmw]

I found when doing the headlights on my X5 that you can more easily remove the bracket screws from the front of the headlight assy. First remove or "lower" the bumper top enough to see those screws, then remove them and slide the headlight assembly including the bracket out. Remove the electrical connections, take to your bench and replace all bulbs (this is only fun once), then reverse to install. I think I put a similar note in the headlight replacement thread.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by X5SND

If you have small hands it can be done without having to take the front bumper off....

Unless your hands are as large as a gorilla's, you will be able to squeeze through and change the turn signal bulbs without removing the bumper or sliding off the headlights. The dealership had quoted $300 (that's not a typo) to install them; that was enough inspiration for me to be creative and resourceful. Just by looking at it, it seems impossible. But when you actually try, you will succeed in reaching them and getting them off.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by X5only

Unless your hands are as large as a gorilla's, you will be able to squeeze through and change the turn signal bulbs without removing the bumper or sliding off the headlights. The dealership had quoted $300 (that's not a typo) to install them; that was enough inspiration for me to be creative and resourceful. Just by looking at it, it seems impossible. But when you actually try, you will succeed in reaching them and getting them off.

X5only thanks for the input I will take a root around there again to see if i can actually see the turn light housing/handle without removing anything , I did manage to replace the faulty bulb with a spare I had lying around by taking off 4 screws and pulling headlamp forward.....funny how fiddly these things are.....I will have to do it again soon as the spare i put in wasn't new....and am actually thinking of putting orange bulbs in rather than the silver chrome ones....

[thrillcat]

Hey...My driver's side front turn signal went out yesterday. You're saying here that it can be done without taking the bumper off, but I've seen other reports that if you have the headlight washers, you'll need to remove the bumper.

Do you have the washers and were able to change them out without removing the bumper?

Also, I'm not a fan of the yellowish daytime running lights/high beams...is there a different bulb I could swap out on those to make them brighter white like my low beams? Are those the "Xenons"? I have the Adaptive/Self-leveling headlights that turn with the wheel.

Sorry, first BMW, not sure all the terminology, etc. Just bought a 2005 X5 4.8iS about 6 weeks ago.

Thanks!

[four.8is]

Originally Posted by thrillcat

Hey...My driver's side front turn signal went out yesterday. You're saying here that it can be done without taking the bumper off, but I've seen other reports that if you have the headlight washers, you'll need to remove the bumper.

Do you have the washers and were able to change them out without removing the bumper?

Also, I'm not a fan of the yellowish daytime running lights/high beams...is there a different bulb I could swap out on those to make them brighter white like my low beams? Are those the "Xenons"? I have the Adaptive/Self-leveling headlights that turn with the wheel.

Sorry, first BMW, not sure all the terminology, etc. Just bought a 2005 X5 4.8iS about 6 weeks ago.

Thanks!

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Post some pics of your imola red!
Also, the interior trim..it's weird that you have lemans trim on the imola..maybe you wanna sell it to me I wouldn't mind it!

[Ricky Bobby]

why not just code the DRL off and then you won't have to worry about it not matching in color temp to the xenon's.

Dealer can do so.