How to remove Dome? (for LED upgrade)
 

hi guys,
ive replaced every other bulb in my car without issue, most of it i figured out as i went along.

ive finally hit a brick wall.

The dome light at the front of my car.
I cannot get this thing out, and i think ive damaged it!

i tried prying it like i did the one in the back, but that didnt work.

has anyone got any handy tips for me please?

its a 2003 x5.

I did a search and checked the how to's but couldnt find anything.


thanks for any help.

Here's a preview of what I've managed so far.
http://184.72.239.143/mu/4e691880-8a2c-df97.jpg
http://184.72.239.143/mu/4e691880-8a50-8fa0.jpg
http://184.72.239.143/mu/4e691880-8a78-6806.jpg

Here's the one I can't do on the ceiling
http://184.72.239.143/mu/4e691880-8ab0-c5f8.jpg

Looks very good. keep up the good work.

thanks bvut im stuck on that last bulb array at the front ceiling!

someone help please?

It just pops out, rearmost edge first IIRC.

thanks i tried prying from the edge where the sunroof switch is, but no joy.

I did this a few months ago to replace a burnt out bulb. If I remember correctly there are two metal tabs holding it in place facing the back of the X, they are located between the main interior light button, and the individual map light buttons so you have to start prying from those locations. What are you using to pry it up? i highly suggest using a plastic panel removal tool if you have one handy, the two clips do a good job of holding it in place. Once you get past those two clips you just rotate it down out of the housing and the front tabs will unseat themselves.

just go slow...you'll get it...

Edit: Like this video shows (i still can't get the embed youtube function to work...)

dude thank you sooo much!
ill try this tonight when i get home.

Looks GOOD! What brand did you end up getting, I've been thinking about doing this as well?

i got some cheap ones off of ebay, and they seem to work better than a friends expensive set!
ive done it all now guys, thanks for the help duboy!

im now toying with the idea of getting an LED array instead of the one bulb between the map lights. that 1 bulb is not bright enough.

also i might replace that enclosure as i defo damged it.

an e46 one should work right?

E46 and E53 housing is the same IIRC. You just get a plastic pry tool and pry at the seam behind the dome light switches and it pops right out. Really easy.

Can you share a Link of those LEDs? or PM it to me? I realy like those, but I don't have pano/sunroof, so I need less/different?

just google for T10 LED.

Are all the interior lamps T10's?

there are also some 36mm tubular LED lamps - most for the "bottom" lighting, for trunk lighting, puddle light, .......

But only these 2 types.

Ok, thanks.

how many of T10 LEDs and 36mm s should I get? 10 each will be enought?

So far I have replaced 9 tubular and 10 T10 until now.
2 are still missing and I will not replace them. These are the 2 above the sun shades.

I would also order some spares.

Good luck

I just replaced mine bulbs to LED in the doom. I don't know if it is exact same as yours, but this is how mine worked. First, I must say......be careful taking out anything plastic in colder weather as it is more brittle.

So push the whole unit towards the rear of the vehicle. Then pry/pull lightly on the front. The front is placed in with two tabs and the rear has a "L" plastic piece the keeps it flush with the headliner.

Good luck. If you run into problems let me know and Ill take mine out and take a picture. It is a 30 job to take out when done correctly. Remember whole assembly. No trim pieces pulled.

Thanks.

Incorrect. Push it towards the front of the vehicle, pry from the back.

36mm FESTOON DOME LIGHT 2 SMD LED BULB 6423 6461 6411 - eBay (item 260735980421 end time Feb-14-11 11:04:37 PST)

Theese should do it?

will you message me what bulb kit you used?

i used these for the interior lights but do not reccomend them
BMW X SERIES LED INTERIOR LIGHT SET X5 - E53 (01-06) on eBay (end time 22-Mar-11 08:37:29 GMT)
they feel very very cheap and arent very bright compared to the halogens if i am honest.

these were used on the boot and i cannot reccomend these enough!
best bulbs i bought for my car!
? BMW E53 X5 E90 E92 E93 E93 M3 LED LUGGAGE LAMP TRUNK on eBay (end time 16-Feb-11 02:52:42 GMT)

Hi,

why pay 14 Pounds for a complete replacement of the whole lamp when changing the bulbs only costs like $2 ?

No offence just asking.

I don't know the fitting.

Link is in post #22 from Nik. That is exactly what you need for the trunk.
And you are right. Nobody answered his question ...

I would like to add, that I was trying to do this on my 4.6is and I don't think that the actual clear piece comes off of the unit (once you get it down from the ceiling). Moreover, not all t10 led's will work in the dome light, in fact some are too big to install (in the middle section) and the others I put in the map light didn't work. I am not sure where to get ones that will work.

May sound dumb, however will any of these eBay led bulbs cause codes or issues throughout the interior?

Cheers guys.

Brett

Hi Brett, no codes for the interior lights.

mp4.6 - I had to go over the holes with the Dremel to make the bulbs fit - that is right.

Ah cheers, you're a good egg.

HelMuth, I filed the hole down, once i got it in I realized that the Plastic piece attached to the light (that goes into the socket was too big. Then When I tried just the map light alone the LED's wouldn't light up

so im not happy with my lights in the center of the dome.
they are really dull.
ive opted for one of these
White 40-SMD LED Interior Dome Map Light Panel Square on eBay (end time 18-Mar-11 07:27:38 GMT)
i need to figure out how to get the clear plastic bit off first and then will stick it in.

mp4.6 - hm.... did you try to turn the LED around so that the polarity is changed?
Normal bulbs operate in each direction - LEDs need to have the right polarity.

The clear panel is removable, you must take out 2 screws on the top of the housing, and then it slides right off.

As for the map lights, the LEDs are polarized, so you must try them both ways. Also, all bulbs inside will have no issues, but if you change the ones in the side mirrors, you will have to add resistors to make them function properly.

Ok great I'll check it out.

True, I did try it to turn them around and I tried twisting the bulb holder different ways. I'll give it another shot tonight.

DO NOT DO IT WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE ON. I did this and it caused the car to cut power to many items until it went to sleep for the night and woke up in the morning (apparently the vehicle's computers completely shut down after a preset time, usually 40 minutes or so).

That is weird, never heard of the computer doing that. But always have the lights off before changing the bulbs.

Right, I usually wait for the lights to turn off or close my doors and lock the car. I replaced the middle light, however the 2 map lights on the sides do not like the LED I am using or something, I need to try the one that works in the middle on the side map lights, see if that works.

Did you change the bulbs located on the side mirrors? If so, what type are they?

Thanks a lot,

I love that white look, But I could never get used to some bulk of bulbs look in the overhead light. I saw Xenon look in blue bulbs, not too bright, but it's not yellow at least. Plus costs like 50$.
What do you guys think?

They are T10 - you will need a resistor (on one side only) if you want to put LEDs in.
Solution: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...o-codes-4.html

Have fun.

Thanks a lot:)