2001 X5 tail lights
 

My 2001 X5 is still having problems with the brake lights and running lights. Does anyone have access to a video on tail light removal.

Thanks
John
[email protected]

2001 X5 brake lights/tail lights
 

My 2001 X5 is still having problems with the brake lights and running lights. Does anyone have access to a video on tail light removal.

Thanks
John
[email protected]

It's very easy. There are 3 nuts that hold the corner lights on. They are accessed around the backside. You'll need a 10mm or 13 socket. The inner lights are just as easy but requires you to pop out the center section of the lower tail gate. Be gentle and pry around the edges until it pops out. Move the foam aside and you'll see the nuts that hold the lights on.

Time to mod the taillight bulb sockets or upgrade to LED. I chose the latter.

thank you
 

Where do you mean back side of the tail light ??

John B

The back side, as in opposite of the front. :tsk:

Open the side panels in the cargo area to access.

:rofl::bustingup Take it easy. Benny is a newbie :D
My next guess for benny's question is: "what do you mean by modding the taillight bulb sockets?" then "Are you serious that we're gonna use Mercedes part on a BMW?" :stickpoke

Hey John,
open the trunk, on your left and right side, there are panels that can be pulled open to access a CD changer and Nav computer on left (if you have them), and some fuses and subwoofer.

Open those panels, at look with a flashlight in the direction where your tail lights are - you will see the light bulb sockets and also you should three 10mm (or is it 13mm?) nuts that are holding the tail light assembly to the body. If you still have your original toolset, one of the wrenches will let you unscrew those nuts, or better yet, if you have a better set of tools, like sockets... As you are unscrewing those nuts, make sure you are not dropping them into the well cavity - it is a b!tch to fish them out... :)

once the nuts are off, wiggle the tail light - even though I would say it might be stuck to the body due to the time, make sure you secure them when the last nut is off, so they don't fall out on their own...

Once the corner tail light are out, you do with them what ever you were gong to do with them... Installation is reverse of removal...

The inner tail lights - you need to pull the plastic cover on the inner side of the lower tailgate... you can use a flat screwdriver, but i would suggest using a hard plastic "shovel" or something, so not to damage the cover. that cover is secured to the body by "push-in" pins, you will see once you pop the cover open... then you will need to remove a foam silencer that is laying there - that foam is fragile, do not tear it in pieces as you remove it...

Then you will see 2 nuts (are there two? it has been a while for me...)... Remove them in the same manner as the corner light - hold the plastic light assembly, so it does not come down crushing on the floor... Once you remove that one, and do whatever you were going to do with it, the installation is reverse of the removal...


Any questions? don't be afraid to ask - we can ocassionally bite, but we mean no harm, it is just a sport...

:)

removal is easy. Just unplug the harness and remove 4 nuts.

I ordered new replacement ones for mine and was wondering how to get to the ones on the rear tailgate?

I know, I know. He caught me at a bad moment. It just seemed like a very clear instruction. :dunno: This place is still far nicer than most other automotive forums.

Hey Benny: In addition to the Mercedes part fix and the soldering fix, think about LED tail lights. :thumbup:

^LED taillights :thumbup:

Read post #3, starting at the 5th sentence.

What is this MB parts fix? I was informed today that my LCM is fine and the check rear lights/check brake lights warning was bc the contact points on the lamp assembly have actually started to melt.

It fixes the taillights connection.

thanks tmv, just completed installing mine, very easy job. BTW there are in fact (3) 8mm bolts to remove on the inner ones.

:beerchug:

now show them off :D

ok, if you insist. Its crappy outside today or I would have better pics then in my garage. BTW, before someone comments I know the X5 badge is in the wrong place, Im dealing with the guy who painted it. Unfortunately he glued it on and if I try to take it off the paint is going to come with it...not good! Going to get him to repaint the tailgate and relocate the badge to its proper place.

The lights turned out great though...not the LEDS ones but I got them on ebay for $100 new complete with bulbs shipped to my house so really couldn't go wrong. Took about an hour total to do (those nuts are a pain to get back on!) Next are the front headlights to replace.

I bought this vehicle just over a month and I tell you I've almost given up on it a few times (although I did get it at a wholesale price of 8K knowing I would have to do some work to it)...BMW, I can see why they say "broken most weeks" lol! I own an AUdi A6 too and got to admit its bulletproof compared to this thing.

Anyway, here are the pics.

here's one outside, had to go to the store.

You should have bought LED taillights, much better IMO.

Thank you everyone.
 

I finally had time to complete the job. I delicately took out the tail light and noted that the connection wass bent thus not making contact so no light. I bent the spot back then scraped the corrosion off and now have a functioning brake light again.

Also just so you know i am no BMW mechanic let alone a US car mechanic. I appreciate everyone who took the time to help me.

I am still tryng to get my ddashboard display/navigation working. I did as suggested but a fuse checker and had the guy from the auto store check it. he said they were all working. I then checked today and found that the first fuse that I checked was blown.

I lost faith in the guy and replaced the fuse rechecked all of the others myself with none out. Unfortunately I alos do not have the display navigetion back.

Does anyone know which fuses control the display/navigation? I may just replace them anyway.

I also ask for any other suggestions.

THank you all again fr all of your support and advice.

John