Interior door panel light

[josiahg52]

Yeah, they're kind of neat concept and look cool but they aren't very bright but they're not supposed to be. They kind of remind me of the two LEDs above the center console and in the interior door handles in my M5.

[Ozer]

Since the pic is posted in post 1.. does anyone know how to remove part #1 to replace the bulb? I tried but stopped before breaking something.
Looks like maybe the rear part has a clip that needs to be pried off?

[MAK3N3]

Those are tricky, best to use a plastic pry tool there's a clip from the back facing the hatch...they get stuck sometimes. But you need to get the pry tool in between the light housing and the clips just inside above the light, once you pry the clip pull the back end down. I had one that was so stuck I ended up carefully removing just the clear lens.

[absentmathis]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

Yeah, they're kind of neat concept and look cool but they aren't very bright but they're not supposed to be. They kind of remind me of the two LEDs above the center console and in the interior door handles in my M5.

The e39 is BMW's best chassis. I sold my 530 5spd last year and miss it. I watch the e39 M5 listings every week. Anyway, the e70 has an interior led just like that. It's a great feature.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by absentmathis

The e39 is BMW's best chassis. I sold my 530 5spd last year and miss it. I watch the e39 M5 listings every week. Anyway, the e70 has an interior led just like that. It's a great feature.

The E39 is a wonderful chassis. I notice the upper console lights in the X5 are a little more directional whereas in the M5, it's hard to pinpoint the source of light and the result is a very even and nuanced effect that I like. I still appreciate the feature in the X5 though.

[Aquamania]

Originally Posted by jdg857

I just played with mine... Light switch to auto and turn up intensity control to full brightness, then I could see the light, never noticed them before.

Thanks for this information! I never knew it was there until I saw this. Going to check mine tonight.

[roboe70]

Originally Posted by MAK3N3

Those are tricky, best to use a plastic pry tool there's a clip from the back facing the hatch...they get stuck sometimes. But you need to get the pry tool in between the light housing and the clips just inside above the light, once you pry the clip pull the back end down. I had one that was so stuck I ended up carefully removing just the clear lens.

My front passenger LED does not light up. So I can replace part #10 in OP's diagram without removing the door panel?

[markehz]

Originally Posted by roboe70

My front passenger LED does not light up. So I can replace part #10 in OP's diagram without removing the door panel?

No, you need to remove the door panel.

[roboe70]

Thanks. I already bought some extra clips, anticipating the need to remove the door panel after reading your initial post. But then I read MAK3N3's post and wondered if I could avoid pulling the panel.

[markehz]

Originally Posted by roboe70

Thanks. I already bought some extra clips, anticipating the need to remove the door panel after reading your initial post. But then I read MAK3N3's post and wondered if I could avoid pulling the panel.

Below is what the LED module looks like. Getting the panel off is not hard. What looks a bit tricky is replacing this module. Its wire gets wrapped together with other wires forming a harness that runs back into the car.