Interior door handle lights not working

[dougal]

They used to work but not anymore. These are the little lights on all four interior door handles on my 2001 E53 X5.

Anyone have an idea what I can check ? Is there a way to accidentally de-activate them or a fuse or something ?

[williamx5]

Good day!

That is a good question... I know my drivers door light isn't working... It is an LED, so it really should last a good while... I can't see all of them not working all at once... Maybe in the headlight switch or something in the coding... I can't see why there would be a disable for them... Do you have the intensity to your dash light turned all the way down? I think that might make them go out...

Good luck and let us know what you discover please..

Cheer!!

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by dougal

They used to work but not anymore. These are the little lights on all four interior door handles on my 2001 E53 X5.

Anyone have an idea what I can check ? Is there a way to accidentally de-activate them or a fuse or something ?

These little lights are held in place with the tiniest piece of over-engineered plastic known to all of mankind. OK, it's not that bad. But they're easy to break especially as they must be detached when the door panel is removed. In my running around the pick a part yard, I found no fewer than 3 of these little things in tact. I snipped the wire and await my time to remove the panel for a little solder, heat shrink, and button up. Mine are working, but at least one of them is held by some delicate application of silicon.

My bet is that they've either fallen away from the holders and are fine or they're broken and you'll need to hunt down replacements.

[dougal]

I think they used to work until one of the rear door panels was removed to repair the window regulator. If one goes would they all go ?

[Crowz]

I didn't even know that X5's had these. I don't think mine work either. I'll have to check this tonight.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by dougal

I think they used to work until one of the rear door panels was removed to repair the window regulator. If one goes would they all go ?

No they are independent

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Crowz

I didn't even know that X5's had these. I don't think mine work either. I'll have to check this tonight.

It was a feature that was not included on all X5's. Trim dependent

[crystalworks]

As mentioned, the LED lights are mounted on the daintiest of clear plastic "light tube" pieces. I have about a 50/50 shot of not breaking them when removing a door panel. The first time I did it, I ordered a new replacement door handle (only way to get the clear piece) @ about $60. Since that time, I just repair them using a combination of melted plastic and clear silicon.

I have an extra one of these that has been mended should anyone need one. Breaking (or unplugging) one should not make the others go out AFAIK. Do your overhead LED's work? The two that cast an orange glow onto the gear shift area?

[dougal]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

As mentioned, the LED lights are mounted on the daintiest of clear plastic "light tube" pieces. I have about a 50/50 shot of not breaking them when removing a door panel. The first time I did it, I ordered a new replacement door handle (only way to get the clear piece) @ about $60. Since that time, I just repair them using a combination of melted plastic and clear silicon.

I have an extra one of these that has been mended should anyone need one. Breaking (or unplugging) one should not make the others go out AFAIK. Do your overhead LED's work? The two that cast an orange glow onto the gear shift area?

Hi. Yes those work there are two in front and two in the middle rear.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by dougal

Hi. Yes those work there are two in front and two in the middle rear.

If those are working... I'd guess they are on the same fuse/circuit, but have not confirmed.

You might have to do some investigation by pulling off a door panel to see if you are getting voltage to the LED's.