The current bulb and igniter assembly is loose in the housing. The bulb type is correct because it lines up with the notches on the projector housing.
The metal retaining spring clip doesn't fit around the igniter properly as the igniter and bulb (I'm guessing) aren't oem so there is nothing holding it in place. I've tried bending it in different angle to get it to reach the other end but no luck.

The correct fitting arrangement uses TWO wire retaining clips.

The D2S bulb (lamp) fits into the rear of the projector fitting and it retained by a u-shaped wire clip, like in this image (from a BMW E46): -

http://www.speedstersource.com/FISH/...A_WIRING_I.jpg

The ignitor then pushes onto the rear of the D2S bulb and turns about 25 degrees to lock it in place. The ignitor lead then attaches to the ignitor and then another wire retaining clip goes around the ignitor, to stop it from rotating and coming undone. This can be seen in the image I posted earlier.

If the D2S bulb retainer wire isn't in place, then the whole assembly will flop about like a fish in a bucket....

*edit* BTW, the eBay item in your earlier post is not for the E53 X5 but appears to be intended for other BMW models.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...98b177138a.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...799a2978bb.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ed82aaa7bc.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...fb99282533.jpg


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Posted pics up of what I have. The black plastic part was loose inside the housing. No idea where it's supposed to sit


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Ok, now we are getting somewhere. You have a D1 system - not the normal D2S system. I wonder if if has been swapped out at some point - is the other side tha same?

The black circular plastic clip appears to fit around the base of the glass envelope (into the annular slot) the will clip into the back of the projector housing (rotating to lock in place). The wire clip then sits behind the (integrated) ignitor.

HTH... :-)

I noticed the bulbs were d1 but I think the projector units themselves are designed for d2s.

If you look in the picture I took of the housing there are grooves which look like they accept some sort of twist lock.

The bulb unit itself has no grooves for this.

Now when placing the bulb unit into the projector housing there is no way that it locks into place apart from the small groove in the black housing (seen in the top left part of the black ring around the bulb in the picture)

The spring clip cannot mate to anything on the other side


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I can see how it goes together but I'm struggling to explain it well - sorry! :-)

The black plastic horse-shoe shaped clips fits over the annular groove in the lamp base. The face of the clip we are looing at in the pic you posted faces the rear of the car (against the ignitor). This clip has two forward-facing tangs/catches that fit into slots on the rear of the ignitor assembly, and the horse-shoe shaped clip then rotates to locked it all in place.

I'll see if I can find a video for you. :-)

Or... have a look at the other side - assuming it's the same.

Ok I'll try and have a look at passenger side provided I don't have to strip too many things apart.
I think I get what you're trying to explain.


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Right I've had a look at the other side. Same story. The bun is held in place with bobby pins!

My next question is how do I know what is the right type of bulb to get?
Or can I jut get a set of aftermarket hid bulbs and a d2s adapter for the holder?


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This is just plain odd... sounds like the head lights aren't factory. Got a picture of the headlight from the front?

If we can identify the headlight (as OEM or aftermarket... and what) maybe we can identify the correct lamp assembly. :dunno:

If not, a trip to your local auto-electrical specialist might be in order.... :cool: