Door Panel Removal
 

I am getting ready to replace the door carrier on the front drivers door. I have done both front door carriers on my 02 X5; however now I am doing it on my 05 X5. The 05 has the red courtesy light in the interior door handle pocket. My other X5 did not have these. Do I need to do anything different when removing the door panel like disconnect this red light? Or do I just do the same procedure as I did on my 02 without the light?

As well, how many people think it is a good idea to replace the window regulator while I have the door panel apart?

The procedure is the same .... remove the door panel and unclip the light.
Why replace the window regulator when it still in good working condition....

Thats exactly what I said. I was at the dealership buying the new door carrier and was talking to my service rep. They were doing some good will work on my car (replacing the blower motor). So while it was in he said that they would recommend doing the regulator as well. I asked the same question. Why would I replace the regulator its working fine. He said that sometimes the a broken carrier creates problems for the regulator and you might as well replace it while you are in there. I said, well i replaced two carriers on my other X5 and they didnt damage or have any effect on the regulators.

He was also unaware that I was going to be doing this work myself. I totally agree. Why replace the regulator if its not broken. If it breaks then i reopen the door panel and take care of it. But unless its broken I think theres no reason to replace it.

So the light simply unclips.... I am assuming that before I completely pull the panel off I will see how its attached and just unfasten it and then the panel will be free to be taken off.... Thanks for the reply!

check out the Bavarian Sound Werks vids for removing the panel if you need to.....but seems like you have an idea. The previous owners of mine broke the door handle lights when they took the door panels off...so be careful with those.

Thanks for the reminder. I used the BSW videos to help remove the panels my first time. Definitely helpful videos. Thanks for the advice on being careful. Is it pretty straight forward on how to remove them? Do you just kinda peek around the corner before it is fully removed and slide the light off of whatever is fastening it?