What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[Bdc101]

Paging Andrew -- I recall you saying something about this but can't find the thread.



I have "repaired" my brake lights three or four times now, and they always work for a few months and then stop working (it's the side brake lights in particular).



If you buy the Mercedes bulb holder/wiring set (I forget the part number, but it's that MB part that you can use in this application) will it solve the problem of the bad connection at the rear bulb holder? The steel plates that provide the connection to the bulb holder are just too mangled, and too much of the plastic that holds them in has disintegrated. I don't want to keep messing around with it, I'm about to spend $400 on a new taillight housing.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Paging Andrew -- I recall you saying something about this but can't find the thread.



I have "repaired" my brake lights three or four times now, and they always work for a few months and then stop working (it's the side brake lights in particular).



If you buy the Mercedes bulb holder/wiring set (I forget the part number, but it's that MB part that you can use in this application) will it solve the problem of the bad connection at the rear bulb holder? The steel plates that provide the connection to the bulb holder are just too mangled, and too much of the plastic that holds them in has disintegrated. I don't want to keep messing around with it, I'm about to spend $400 on a new taillight housing.

I removed the metal plate. I used steel to shim the plate to the correct height then I used self tapping screws to replace the plastic melted bumps that act as rivets. Unfortunately I didn't make an awr-fix thread to make it easy to find I just posted on somebody else's thread.


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[Bdc101]

Thanks AWR, I tried soldering this time, and just laid a pretty good bead right where the bulb socket contacts the metal plate. I'll see how long that lasts. This last time it melted a bit of the metal plate (must have arced) and so I don't know if it will last. Looks like Pelican has the "ULO" brand replacements (OEM but not original BMW) for only $150, or the original BMW is about $200/ea, which isn't really that bad. They come with new gaskets too, and mine are definitely leaking on both sides. (I live in the desert which is the only reason I don't have water sloshing around in my quarter panels, that's how bad they are)

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Thanks AWR, I tried soldering this time, and just laid a pretty good bead right where the bulb socket contacts the metal plate. ...

I've found that the solder repair only works long-term when you tin (cover with solder) BOTH the steel plate contact location AND the metal tabs on the bulb holder. This creates a solder-to-solder contact that seems to (finally) cure this issue.

This assumes the steel plate is still correctly located and not loose from heat destroying the plastic plate mount points...

[andrewwynn]

Heat will eventually melt the holding points that's why I rebuilt my wife's. Went to do mine as well (01 3.0), and found it had tail lamp assemblies made in 09.

[Bdc101]

You didnt happen to grab those assemblies before they took em to the junkyard did ya? Lol

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I've found that the solder repair only works long-term when you tin (cover with solder) BOTH the steel plate contact location AND the metal tabs on the bulb holder. This creates a solder-to-solder contact that seems to (finally) cure this issue.

This assumes the steel plate is still correctly located and not loose from heat destroying the plastic plate mount points...

In addition I added some dielectric grease which seems to keep things functional longer. Done repair twice in the 7 years I've owned the X5. This last time I replaced the bulb holders as I was not happy with the way the originals looked. Been fine since (~2 years ago if memory serves).

[nick325xit 5spd]

I was in a hurry and didn't take pics, but the results of the headlight upgrade are definitely rewarding. The headlights have gone from pathetic (due to aged xenon bulbs and degraded projector bowls) to really good.

I'm not a huge fan of the ultra sharp cutoff and blue flash that retrofit people love, but that is what it is.

[crystalworks]

Took Red out to Htown again to finalize the purchase of my newest turd. While there took the opportunity to hit up a morning event and finally meet Happy. Was a great time and his X is one-of-a-kind. The blower/meth install is super clean. The exhaust sounds like a GT racer. Being attached to a manual gearbox is the icing on the proverbial cake.

Oh, also got new rear rolling stock installed on Red while in town. All 325mm width of them. Mouse giving me crap... something about "wear bars," "cords," or other such nonsense finally got to me.

Great meeting you Happy!

[Happy]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Great meeting you Happy!

Good times!! Great meeting with you as well! Good seeing Mouse too! He is one cool dude!

Thanks for the kind compliments. ReD is BOSS! Period.. LoL..

On the way home there was a pretty decent sized underpass, I put the windows down and ripped it. Dayum! It’s the first time I got a good grasp of the note. That X never ceases to amaze me. I still cannot understand how that X sounds like a GTD GT3 rig. What I will say is, the BMW I-6 engines are truly amazing! But… I can’t wait to get behind that N62. Mouse has that thing barking!

Can’t wait till next time!