Did some investigating and I think it looks like your car just missed the lights. You've got a production date of 8/2002. See top schematic. A new door wiring harness was implemented in 10/2002. See bottom schematic.

That would likely explain the missing bulb. Call up your local dealer to see if they have the new wiring harness for you to take a look at. A new one in the USA retails for $121.75 and you'd need 4, so that's almost $500 for 4 led's! Must be a new record!

Meister, thanks for the info. Looks like Murphy's Law at it's best. Very dissappointed with the time frame of BMW factory deciding not to install that harness with the LED's and the outragous price for them. BTW the 500 bills you refer to equate to about $780 Aussie dollars, so not bloody likely. As RR says, on to the next.

BTW, apologies to xnsf for hijacking his thread.

Why dont you just add 2 wires coming off the door lamps at the bottom of your door panel to provide you with the 12V+ to power the LED's you want to set up?

Xnsf - Nice twist....would've looked even better if the front door LED extended all the way to the end. But still awesome.

Hey Charlie,
That's a good idea, trouble is the X went back in to the indy shop this morning for new window regulator under warranty. Might have a look at that a bit down the track now that I'm familiar with trim removal. If I went ahead with your suggestion I'm wondering if 'bulb out' signal would come up.

Thanks anyway.

If you going to add the wires to the door lamps it only give you lights when the door open or when the car is unlock.
the only way to do this mod without prewires you have to hardwire it to the parking lights.

If you look at my photos, my wiring harness is completely different, and my x is a 2001. Maybe because his vehicle is non-US? When I get a chance, I will remove my door panel again and check my wiring.

butundo, what's your build date and what model X5?

just fyi, mine is 05/2002 production

no problem, we're all here to help each other :thumbup:

Oh, I was under the assumption that the LED mod lit up when the car was unlocked or the door opened. I didn't know they were made to activate with the parking lights.

Sorry, Old thread. I just got me lighted door handle carriers, and am installing them, but drivers side doesn't light up... any Ideas? Above where the 3 wires connect(coming from Mirror) the last one doesn't have connection. 2 are connected n third one is my itself. Help Please :)