DIY emergency brake (EMF) switch replacement

[balx5]

Another quick DIY for those who are tinkering with their vehicle out of warranty.

Wife broke the e-brake switch one afternoon which means another DIY job for me. She said he activated the switch like normal but the plastic (P) switch was brittle enough to snap off, '07 plastic longevity



Vehicle Info:
2007 BMW E70 X5 3.0si CCC i-drive sysem

Tools/Materials needed:
New EMF switch: Part#61319156133 - $60
torx bit - T20 & T10
plastic trim removal pry tools

Step 1: Remove i-drive knob (CCC system only)
insert pry tool at 3 and 6 o'clock position or just pull really hard upward.



Step2: Remove center faceplate by carefully prying around the edge starting from the back and use caution not to damage surrounding area.



Step3: Remove gear selector unit by unscrewing 4x T20 screws. Next disconnect the blue EMF switch wire harness.



Step 4: Remove EMF switch from gear selector by unscrewing 4x T10 screws.



Step 5: Replace with new switch and re-install all in reverse.




That's it, about a 15min. job.

[nachilus]

Originally Posted by balx5

Another quick DIY for those who are tinkering with their vehicle out of warranty.

Wife broke the e-brake switch one afternoon which means another DIY job for me. She said he activated the switch like normal but the plastic (P) switch was brittle enough to snap off, '07 plastic longevity



Vehicle Info:
2007 BMW E70 X5 3.0si CCC i-drive sysem

Tools/Materials needed:
New EMF switch: Part#61319156133 - $60
torx bit - T20 & T10
plastic trim removal pry tools

Step 1: Remove i-drive knob (CCC system only)
insert pry tool at 3 and 6 o'clock position or just pull really hard upward.



Step2: Remove center faceplate by carefully prying around the edge starting from the back and use caution not to damage surrounding area.



Step3: Remove gear selector unit by unscrewing 4x T20 screws. Next disconnect the blue EMF switch wire harness.



Step 4: Remove EMF switch from gear selector by unscrewing 4x T10 screws.



Step 5: Replace with new switch and re-install all in reverse.




That's it, about a 15min. job.

Great writeup thanks.

[brian5]

balx5,

A good write up! Hopefully, I won't need it as I never use my emergency brake but it seems to be a fragile part.

My i-Drive knob came off last week which was a surprise. I was pleased to find that it was easy to snap back on.

[vp23271]

Awesome write up, just broke my emergency brake switch this last weekend. Your pics will help a lot! Thanks OP for posting

[blue dragon]

Yup, had to change mine out earlier this year too.

[balx5]

Originally Posted by vp23271

Awesome write up, just broke my emergency brake switch this last weekend. Your pics will help a lot! Thanks OP for posting

Sure, glad it helped as I was trying to find the same thing when mine broke. There definitely needs to be a single easily to locate DIY location for the E70, just saying.

[lordshin808]

thanks. my broke recently too. did the new switch look any better, design-wise? wondering if they made it any better or stronger.

[Falkon]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your illustrations and write-ups here; really very helpful.

Below is a video link on youtube of the center console removal process, albiet a Right Hand Drive X5. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O74Bb0xhbgY

[Falkon]

Originally Posted by lordshin808

thanks. my broke recently too. did the new switch look any better, design-wise? wondering if they made it any better or stronger.

Hi, the new switch didn't look any different than the broken one. I guess one has to be gentle with this button and not yank on it too hard.

I just changed mine and the Bimmer is once again ship shape.

[Arby1028]

Just replaced the parking brake switch and while I was at it I replaced the black faceplate since it was dinged/scratched-up. I ordered the PB switch with the Auto H feature and it appears to be working - haven't driven with it yet but it turned on/off while in the garage. I read in another forum it's a "plug and play" feature.