trouble with brake lights and signal lights...

[eubanksae]

Does anyone know how to stop this issue:

I've had my 2001 X5 for about 1.5 years, and a few months after I got it, one of my signal bulbs said it was out. I replaced it, noticing that it didn't look blown, and it was fine for a while. This has continued to happen on and off with different locations. Even with the front turn signal. I've replaced all bulbs and "bulb holders" in the rear, and the driver's-side front signal once. Again, I've got the front driver's signal acting up again, and one of the brake lights. It seems like I can't go more than about 3 or 4 weeks before a bulb reports being out. Is there something I should prep the bulbs and sockets with (like di-electric grease) to keep this from happening? has anyone else had this kind of trouble?

Thanks,
Andy E.
Sarasota, FL
2001 X5 4.4

[Rob_]

You will want to replace the front park/turn signal bulb and socket. As for your brake lights, remove the bulb and take a peak at the tail light assembly contact points. You may find a burnt spot......if so, you will need to replace the tail light assembly.GL

[eubanksae]

how much do you think a tail light assembly costs?

[Rob_]

Originally Posted by eubanksae

how much do you think a tail light assembly costs?

Are you running ambers or clears?

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Rob_

You will want to replace the front park/turn signal bulb and socket. As for your brake lights, remove the bulb and take a peak at the tail light assembly contact points. You may find a burnt spot......if so, you will need to replace the tail light assembly.GL

Don't replace the thing .Try lightly sanding the metal in the socket for a better connection. It's a very common problem on the early X5s. On ours, I just kind of wiggled it to get a more secure fit. I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions. Just don't spend money yet when you don't have to.

[eubanksae]

just the stock ambers.

[Rob_]

Originally Posted by eubanksae

just the stock ambers.

You can probably find some on ebay for very little $$$ or maybe someone here may have switched to clears and can sell you theirs. First you need to take a look at your tail lights to see if you have a burnt spot. If it is burnt, do what vin suggested and sand the spot to clean metal. Sometimes the bad spot is all the way through the metal. In this case I have heard of people soldering over the "hole". This was a major problem on E38 7 series.

[JV]

Speaking of the rear lights only...You also want to inspect the bulb holder and the metal contacts near the base of the bulb as the bulb is fitted into the holder. If they don't make contact properly into the tail light assembly, you'll get no light and therefore an error message on the MID.

I found that cleaning the contact points with a little vinegar and water solution kicks ass, and bending the metal contacts in the bulb holder with needlenose pliers outwards solved my problems with alleged burnt out taillights on my 01 X5.

If you take a good look into the assembly, you'll see the way that the metal to metal contact is made. If the metal of the bulb holder does not reach far enough to contact the metal in the assembly as it twists into the assembly, you can manipulate the metal on the bulb holder with pliers. The assembly contacts are not malleable, they are fixed and solid. You may have to try several time to get contact made. Give it a shot. It might save you some $$.

Good luck.

JV

[JLW]

My right rear taillight assembly was getting so hot the galvanized contact plate had melted the plastic mounting pins. As well the bulb contact point had burnt a hole through the galvanized plate. Since my brake light had close to no connection I keep getting the fault intermittently. I don't know why BMW uses such dissimilar metals in their electrical circuits, but they do. This creates instant electrolysis with current applied. Here's what I did in case the galvanized being burnt through. Remove the tail light assembly and braze (for lack of a better term) the surface of galvanized contact plate with solder using a 100 watt solder iron(gun type). At the same time pull up on the metal plate while the plastic is melted to realign. I you peruse the Real oem parts link (#21 on this board) the taillight assembly was changed in 10/2003. I don't know if the newer unit has cosmetic difference but I would assume its better and bolts right in. This will become a common issue in all X5s. I'm in AZ and I imagine the corrosion is worse in more humid areas of the country. Does anyone know if the tail light changed in 2004? I have not noticed. Mine has held with the solder fix for some time and I have not checked it. As well I have replaced no parts.

Jason

2001, 3.0i 75k

[maX5]

wow, I had the same problem. I took it to BMW and they told me that the front turn signal bulb was blown and the rear tail light assembly has gone bad. So they changed it and charged be $215 for parts and labor. I have the 01 4.4 SP.