facelift e53 turn light signal bulb replacement passenger side
 

hello, so I dug out the manual from the glove box and absolutely no mention of how this is done, so I popped off the cover off the back and all i could see was the xenons....

Did some reading here and there, but can anyone confirm that the whole headlight unit needs to come forward out and over the bumper to get to the turn signal bulb? and how much slack is there once the screws are off and you can pull the headlamp forward? we talking an inch? or more?

better still and diys with pic regarding the screws that need to be removed?....i guess at 9.5 odd years old i cant complain at having to change a bulb but jeez it sould be an on the go type job.....and for the those that have done it on a facelift (mines a nov 2004 build) does it class as an easy diy? thanks in advance

Yes, the headlight assembly needs to be removed to change the parking light. Since your X5 was built after 10/03, the top part of the front bumper cover needs to be removed so the headlight assembly can move forward. I have the pre 10/3 type so someone else will need to chime in on bumper cover removal. I do know it is only secured by, I think, 8 screws. Some are visible with the hood open and the others are covered by round plugs.

The headlight assembly is secured at 4 points. 2 on top of the assembly and 2 behind and at the bottom of the assembly. Not sure about the 3.0D but you may have to remove the air filter assembly to get access to the bottom screws. You then can pull the headlight assembly forward enough to get to the parking light bulb. Be sure to mark the location of the assembly on the headlight assembly tabs or better yet, in addition, turn on the bright lights and mark where the headlights are aimed on a garage wall in front of where you parked. You may want to replace all the bulbs while you have the bumper cover off.

All in all it is not difficult. I do agree it is quite a bit more work than it should be. One the other hand, I upgraded my headlights about 6 months ago and the parking light bulbs were the original bulbs and still fine so it is not something that needs to be done often.

I don't know if there is a DIY. Did you search headlight removal or DIY section?

If you have small hands it can be done without having to take the front bumper off....you can get away with removing the headlight housing bolts mentioned previously by BC, wiggle it forward and 3 point turn the bulb w/holder through the side fender. Only other alternative is to remove the front bumper (which is literally a 10 min job). Some prefer to remove the bumper as it gives you miles of room to work and less of a chance to scratch the bumper when you're moving the housing forward.

There's a bumper removal guide by TwinsPoppa that will guide you how to remove the bumper.

bcredliner and x5sne thanks for the feedback, I gave it a go, same on a facelift 3.0d as it is on the other facelifts, tips you supplied were great , I marked around the location of each washer that the securing screws go through, did it with masking masking tape so screws could go back in the original location, so as not to lose the beam alignment....but below points sound better , to quote you fellas:

"The headlight assembly is secured at 4 points. 2 on top of the assembly and 2 behind and at the bottom of the assembly. . You then can pull the headlight assembly forward enough to get to the parking light bulb. Be sure to mark the location of the assembly on the headlight assembly tabs or better yet, in addition, turn on the bright lights and mark where the headlights are aimed on a garage wall in front of where you parked. "

When I do the other side will take pics....but I reckon access to the bulbs should me much easier in the case you need to change em on the move and dont have a screwdriver and tape or old towel to protect the bumper as you wriggle to assembly out.....thanks again

I found when doing the headlights on my X5 that you can more easily remove the bracket screws from the front of the headlight assy. First remove or "lower" the bumper top enough to see those screws, then remove them and slide the headlight assembly including the bracket out. Remove the electrical connections, take to your bench and replace all bulbs (this is only fun once), then reverse to install. I think I put a similar note in the headlight replacement thread.

Unless your hands are as large as a gorilla's, you will be able to squeeze through and change the turn signal bulbs without removing the bumper or sliding off the headlights. The dealership had quoted $300 (that's not a typo) to install them; that was enough inspiration for me to be creative and resourceful. Just by looking at it, it seems impossible. But when you actually try, you will succeed in reaching them and getting them off.

X5only thanks for the input I will take a root around there again to see if i can actually see the turn light housing/handle without removing anything , I did manage to replace the faulty bulb with a spare I had lying around by taking off 4 screws and pulling headlamp forward.....funny how fiddly these things are.....I will have to do it again soon as the spare i put in wasn't new....and am actually thinking of putting orange bulbs in rather than the silver chrome ones....

Hey...My driver's side front turn signal went out yesterday. You're saying here that it can be done without taking the bumper off, but I've seen other reports that if you have the headlight washers, you'll need to remove the bumper.

Do you have the washers and were able to change them out without removing the bumper?

Also, I'm not a fan of the yellowish daytime running lights/high beams...is there a different bulb I could swap out on those to make them brighter white like my low beams? Are those the "Xenons"? I have the Adaptive/Self-leveling headlights that turn with the wheel.

Sorry, first BMW, not sure all the terminology, etc. Just bought a 2005 X5 4.8iS about 6 weeks ago.

Thanks!

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Post some pics of your imola red!
Also, the interior trim..it's weird that you have lemans trim on the imola..maybe you wanna sell it to me ;)I wouldn't mind it!

why not just code the DRL off and then you won't have to worry about it not matching in color temp to the xenon's.

Dealer can do so.

It is an interesting combo, but I kinda like it. ;)

I haven't taken many photos yet as I'm still getting it ready. Been working with my local indy shop to take care of the 100K stuff here and there, headlight restoration kit arrived today from amazon, and a friend with a detailing shop is going to get me in later this fall for a full clay bar and hand wax treatment. It needs it.

I will definitely post more photos as I get things cleaned up.

This is my "watch out world, here I come" photo...

http://photos.performanceix.com/view...e24ffb137abb14

I have the headlight washers and must remove or lower the bumper to get the headlight assembly all the way out. It can be moved forward to the washers which might give you enough room to try to get a wee little hand in there to change the bulb, but that does require removing the accessories so you can get to the back screws.

The bumper is a really easy removal and replacement. I think it is easier than removing the accessories, and I would remove the headlight assy from the front screws for that same reason. But while you've got it all apart, go ahead and replace all bulbs and exciters so you don't have to do it again. You might find a whiter bulb, and be able to polish up your lenses if they are yellowed.

That's just my limited experience and reading on it.

And yes, those are Xenons, so be sure to get the proper bulbs and exciters if you replace.

Thanks...the Xenon low-beams are fine, I'm wondering if there's a closer temperature match bulb I could put in for the daytime running lights/high-beams?

And thanks for the bumper advice. I'll probably just pull the whole thing, and my headlight restoration kit arrived today, so that's good timing.

Welcome! Congratulation on your first BMW. Great color!

Yes, you can buy whiter light bulbs that all match. Some say the whiter bulbs are hard on the eyes. I don't find that a problem but I don't drive long distances either. 5000 range will be bright white. I changed my fogs to HIDs and also got bulbs so they match everything else. You can also charge your turn signals to LEDs which don't show as amber until you turn them on. I have Xenons. Here is one of the sites that will help you get an idea of your options: Direct Fit 92-98 BMW E36 M3 3-Series LED Daytime Running Lights

Perfect! That's a huge help. Thank you!

So, looking at this page, I'm guessing I'll need an error-free decoder thing as well as the bulbs? Neither of these claim compatibility with an e53, am I in the right place?

You could also get chrome coated stealth bulbs for the turn signals and negate the LED hassles

Apologies for hijacking this thread...I'm getting confused.

Front turn signal. The manual says it's an S8 bulb. Internet search shows it as a 3357 or 3457. Amazon Garage says neither of these will fit. What is it?

High Beam/DRL are an H1, correct? That seems consistent between the manual and the internet. Any feedback on this Kensun conversion kit, used in conjunction with these warning cancelers?

And Ricky Bobby, are these considered chrome plated, or is there a better lamp?

I'm still torn on replacing the fog lamps. I don't live in SF anymore, so I rarely turn them on. :) Perhaps I may just get a set of these bulbs to swap out and make them a bit brighter.

Sounds like I'll have the bumper off next week to replace the vacuum booster, so I'd like to order replacements and do it all at once.

I really appreciate all of your help on this. I absolutely LOVE driving this vehicle, just working on catching up maintenance and tweaking things right now.

THANKS!

Yes those are chrome coated but I think they are white chrome bulbs. You want 3357/3457 stealth amber chrome bulbs.

Not a fan of silver stars, if you want H11 super white bulbs get Hoen Xenonmatch, www.hoen-USA.com

It was my understanding your goal was to go to whiter lights that all matched.
That can be done by replacing the stock bulbs with bulbs in the 5000 range rather than the stock bulb that is something like 4200. I went to 6000 which have a blue tint. I threw in the LED turn signal bulbs just so you knew you can make them brighter also. Most LED options will require error free harnesses so they will not initiate and error message.

But the link you sent was for a different BMW model.

This morning I ordered sets of 5000K bulbs for high beam/DRL and fog lights, as well Asa pair of stealth chrome amber turn signal bulbs, so I think I've got it. I opted against attempting LED lights for just the cooler temp bulbs.
Thanks for your help!


2005 X5 4.8iS :: Imola Red w/LeMans interior

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, I was just linking you to the site. I think you went the right route for what you wanted to achieve.