2004 E53 X5 4.4i Rear Fog light Install...COMPLETE!

[X5 Meister]

Gotcha. Well you don't need the hitch itself, just the electronics kit. In fact you don't even need the whole electronics kit, just the TCM which yes will run you around $160. Just an FYI.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I ran the wire the length of the car to install my ipod interface to my armrest and it was done in an hour, and that was a thick 8 gauge wire or so, a small 16 or 18 gauge is nothing.


I'm looking to not use the TCM because I dont have the OEM hitch and I'm not looking to spend 150 on the hitch after almost 100 for the OEM switch. I'm just theorizing if we were to run contacts from the headlight switch to the LCM, and then find our power somewhere in the front (say cigarette lighter) and run our wires to the back would it be doable?



Terminator I have level 5 since I have xenon is that correct?

[TerminatorX5]

according the BMW xenon retrofit instructions for the E53 (the source of the information in my quote), yes, you have Level 5.

Only two items from the list were confirmed via this forum on various threads - the heated seats and PDC pre-wiring. none of the items were were denied - in other words, we do not know if rear airbags are pre-wired or not, for example...

[Ricky Bobby]

well the CEO says we need money for the house so if I can hook this up with some wires and a switch and a couple bulbs, I'm all about it. 160 for TCM isnt gonna fly.

pnoyako85 has his working with a manual switch since he found the right power line, I'm just trying to take it a step further and have it working with the headlight switch.

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

well the CEO says we need money for the house so if I can hook this up with some wires and a switch and a couple bulbs, I'm all about it. 160 for TCM isnt gonna fly.

pnoyako85 has his working with a manual switch since he found the right power line, I'm just trying to take it a step further and have it working with the headlight switch.

heres mine.....Originally they were gng to go with the Angel Eyes on 15w hid...tried it....just not the same as bright..so instead of a waste of hid kit..i got it hooked up on the fogs......not what i would want to begin with..but after the MOD...it does give your X a unique LOOK.

[Ricky Bobby]

ebay.de has euro headlight switches for half the price of ECS (140 shipped).

I just need to figure out how to ask a seller how much to ship to USA, right now most of them are 55 euro or so (72 dollars)

if you are looking on ebay.de for a euro switch type in "e53 lichtschalter" and plenty of options

[upallnight]

Group buy on euro headlight switch?

If you could get a BMW hitch for $160 that's a great buy. I paid over $200.00 just for just the hitch for my Audi when I had the Audi. Lucky my X5 had the BMW hitch along with xenon lights option so I guess I have the wiring for most electrical options.

[Ricky Bobby]

um the hitch is like 500 bucks or so, just the trailer control module (TCM) which was used in this normal install on the first page is 160, if you don't have a hitch kit installed on your car the original install mandates use of it.

I'm trying to find a way to work around it for us guys who dont want to spend 160 if they dont have a hitch on their truck.

[upallnight]

Boys those lights are BRIGHT

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Boys those lights are BRIGHT

yes they are..lol..15w hid

[TerminatorX5]

LCM module (A3), connector X38, pin 15 - left rear fog light
LCM module (A3), connector X12, pin 1 - right rear fog light

both connectors, the X12 and the X38 are 15-pin connectors, X12 is supposed to be black and the X38 is supposed to be white.

Those pins supply the power/PWM signal to the light bulb, you will need to source your own ground at the light bulb.

the light module is located in the right footwell, on the side of the car - there are many write-ups on locating the LCM.


Should you buy anything from a European seller, ask him/her prior to purchase if they will remove the VAT (built-in to the price sales tax of about 20%). some sellers will remove the VAT when shipped outside of EC.