rear license light/latch

X5Flyboy · #1 01-02-2007, 08:45 AM

For those of us experiencing the rear license plate light bulbs burning out and/or showing corrosion and water accummulation, the replacement part for the rear latch assembly is "grip" 51-13-7-170-676 ($146.63) - It also requires painting to match your X5. Labor and paint was another $110.00 + $7.70.

I also noticed the dreaded "TRUNKLID OPEN" warning practically disappeared (only once since replacement Nov 2005) - I can't begin to count how many times it occured since picking it up in July thru October 2005.

Have a Happy, Healthy, Safe New Year

bmann · #2 01-02-2007, 05:50 PM

I had the same problem. The grip strip malfunctioned. It kept shorting out and opening whenever it felt like it. And the licence plate lights stopped working. It's part of the same harness. Since the button on the console and the remote still worked, I disconnected the grip strip and hard wired the licence plate lights work great. The only thing is you need the remote or the console button to open the hatch. One day I plan on replacing the grip strip but for now the $189 (CDN) is better in my pocket. Cheers

liftbig · #3 01-14-2007, 05:39 PM

My license plate light just started to act up. Has anyone had this covered under warranty? Does the dealerships fix work or will this be a continuing problem?

ifly · #4 01-14-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liftbig

My license plate light just started to act up. Has anyone had this covered under warranty? Does the dealerships fix work or will this be a continuing problem?

Got mine fixed under warranty, had the same corrosion problem around the license plate lights and also in the left rear tail light. The assembly does need painting to match though as discussed earlier.

mark scheurer · #5 10-30-2009, 09:44 AM

I've been having problems with messages that the license plate bulbs have been malfunctioning when in fact they are on and working -- then recently I noticed after washing the car that the right light assembly had water in it. I couldn't figure out how water got in there until I noticed that the gasket for the hatch grip had experienced severe wear and disintegration over the last 9 years and was letting water in from above. I ordered the new part from Pelican and I bet that will cure the problem.

For those of you who are experiencing these electrical problems with the stuff mounted in the hatch grip, check this seal around the grip -- I'll post pictures later. I have a 2001 3.0.