Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-29-2021, 05:24 PM
blktoptrvl's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Various
Posts: 1,232
blktoptrvl is on a distinguished road
Pissed! Xenon replacement.

So, I'm a little pissed off right now.

About 1K ago, I took my X5 to a local mechanic to have the Alternator Bracket Gasket replaced. Everything seemed OK until this week when the driver side xenon started flickering. Assuming the bulb was going bad, I order two nw ones.

Today, the bulbs came in and I decided to install them.

I started by loosening all the screws/bolts holding the driver side headlamp in place. As I was loosening the lower bolts, the lower left plastic surrounding the bolt broke apart. I am not so sure it actually broke apart or if it just was already broken and sitting in place not really holding anything.

Next I noticed that the upper right screw holding the back headlight cover was replaced with a rigged screw and washer because the plastic surrounding that screw was broken, the right bottom screw came out and that whole corner of the cover came apart in my hands. Of the four screws of the low beam cover, only one was actually holding. So is this because the shop that replaced the gasket butchered the headlight while lifting the engine? Or was it because BMW put cheap plastic in place here? BTW, I know someone worked on the headlight cover because it did not have a rigged screw last time the bulbs were replaced by me.

Finally, I get it apart and while removing the old bulb, it falls into the bottom somewhere; I guess I'll have to take the front bumper off.

When putting the new bulb in, the cable comes off the igniter and I cannot get it back on. After futzing with it for a while, I realize there is a lock holding the wire to the igniter, it also blocks putting the wire back on the igniter when the bulb is not in place.

After putting it all back together, the new bulb will not light. Bummer.

So, it is together for now, I will leave it that way while waiting for the new replacement headlight covers to come in. Then I will have to figure out why it wont light.
__________________
2006 X5 Sport 4.4i

Last edited by blktoptrvl; 04-29-2021 at 05:29 PM.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 04-30-2021, 08:52 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 322
Nolimite39 is on a distinguished road
Not sure about the access for the N62 but with the M62 if the mechanic lifted the engine instead of removing the radiator to get to the alternator then the #1 step would be to get a new mechanic. That said I have the original headlights on my pre-facelift and all of the tabs are fine and no more brittle than one would expect. Sounds like someone didn't know what they were doing and butchered your housings whether by hitting them or overtightening and snapping them.
__________________
Again Daily Driven SC'd 4.6iS, whats the point of having a sweet ride if you dont use it all the time.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-30-2021, 09:51 AM
crystalworks's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SA, TX
Posts: 6,414
crystalworks is on a distinguished road
^What he said. No messing with headlights required for alternator job. Don't believe it requires radiator removal either. Just the fan housing. Just checked my pictures... yep no radiator removal necessary on my 4.8is n62 without the water cooled alternator. I don't know procedure for water cooled version.
__________________
2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-30-2021, 10:10 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 322
Nolimite39 is on a distinguished road
I'm not sure if the watercooled requires rad removal or not but its an extra 2 screws and makes the rest of the job much easier.
__________________
Again Daily Driven SC'd 4.6iS, whats the point of having a sweet ride if you dont use it all the time.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-01-2021, 04:46 PM
blktoptrvl's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Various
Posts: 1,232
blktoptrvl is on a distinguished road
OK, so I just today decided to work on the headlamp. As I have all the parts I need (I thought) and the time.

So, first thing, I replace the igniter for the left non-working low beam. Still no light...

So I decide next to take the bumper off... Not as hard as I expected. Although I cannot get the PDC connector to come apart (all of the tab arms just broke off when pushed), truth be told, I don't think I really need to get it separated as long as I can later remove the grilles easily (secondary job).

I decided to go ahead and replace the broken back covers and surprise... those cheap bastards at BMW sell the cover without the specialized tiny torx screws and I need two of them to seal the light. So, I guess I need to make another order. It wouldn't so bad if they had just said I needed to order screws separately - then at least I would have them now. I will try the local stores but I doubt they will have any.

I have now also replaced the controller(?), ballast controller (?) and will give that a try, but while replacing it, I noticed there is another device there (the upper device in the picture - is that the actual ballast?) - Seems the ballast and ballast controller are named similarly on Amazon - I will have to research it and see if I also want to replace this while the car is apart. (I would prefer not to put it all together - only to have to take it apart again soon.)

While moving the harness into the new back cover, I notice many of the wires there are cracked. Is there any kind of spray type insulator I can used to cover all the gaps with one application? I doubt it, but I will check.
Attached Images
  
__________________
2006 X5 Sport 4.4i

Last edited by blktoptrvl; 07-01-2021 at 05:11 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:39 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.