Changing the HALO's~2012 X5d
 

Ok, first off I've looked and looked at how to change the White halo's in our X5. I see many posts on upgrading blah blah blah but I would like to just change a blown H8 bulb on the right side. I went to the dealer and drank the 35.00 box of cool aid and got the H8 bulb.

I've pulled the round cover, used a mirror ect and cannot locate the H8 that is supposedly in there. What is in there is the headlight bulb attached to this square type of box that comes out with the bulb. Upon removing this I put a mirror in there and cant see the location of the halo bulbs. Does anyone have any idea as to how to proceed or am I just simply missing something more obvious than I realize?? I'd hate to take it to the dealer for something like a bulb but man this thing is very frustrating. I did look in the owners manual and it mentions changing the X6 daytime driving lights but nothing about the X5 other than take it to a servicing dealer!

I changed one on our 07 e70 years ago and it was relatively simple even with the size of my hands, have they changed over the years??
Any help would really be appreciated!
Thanks in advance and Happy 4th America!.:banghead:

Nice! No go back to the same dealer and tell them you will send your invoice and bulb they sold you to BMW NA (said in ARD style). Unfortunately the fix for your not working halo will be much more expensive, but H8 bulb is non-existent in the 2012 X5s. It is LED module for each ring( 2 per light), but if both are not working it is probably the control module.

Thanks for the warning as well as the info. Just the right side is out so does that mean I need to ask them for a one module? That's odd as they asked me for my last seven of the VIN. One would have figured the parts guy would have at least known!
Is the module behind the metal cover that's almost impossible to get to on the inner portion of the headlight housing? Looks to have 4 torx screws holding it on.

but H8 bulb is non-existent in the 2012 X5s.

^^ I guess that explains why I couldn't find it!!

It must be the module that sits on the back of the light, facing the driver.

Here are my headlights from when I did the LCI headlight retrofit. You will see the two LED modules with the heat sinks. I find it hard to believe that they both failed at the same time. There is a common power wire to them, so that is where I would check first.

http://www.wardphotography.com/temp/lights.jpg

Check WDS for the exact pin on the harness, and then use a meter to verify power. You will need to remove the wheel and the fender liner to access the harness plug easily

I just replaced the D1S bulbs on my 2011 X5d. It is a pain in the ass. It is obvious that the headlight was not designed for easy service or access. I've been spoiled by my E39 all these years.

You might not have to actually remove the wheel well liner but you will definitely have to remove the dozen or so SINGLE-USE plastic rivets that hold the liners (front and rear) and fender flares on. Once these are removed, remove the 20 or so 8mm bolts and three 10mm plastic nuts.

On the left side, I removed only the front part of the liner. The mistake was completely removing it especially since it goes UNDER the rear part of the liner. I ended up having to take out the rest of the rivets and bolts and nuts for the rear part and then putting it all back together right. This required a trip to the dealer once I realized that the plastic rivets cannot be reused.

I learned from the left side and so on the right side, while the flare and rivets have to be removed and I did remove all of the other fasteners, front and rear, I did not actually remove the liners from the vehicle. With the fasteners removed, I was able to easily bend the liners out of the way and get to the bulb. This made installation amazingly easier and faster. One thing you'll need is plastic rivet gun or a technique to install them. I settled on needle nose pliers, Vise-Grips and lineman's pliers. By the end I got pretty good at setting the rivets.

I saw the LEDs and their heat sinks but didn't put my eyes on the module. Probably have to remove the headlight to do those. Like others said, if it's both halos then it's probably the control module which is also located on the bottom of the headlight.

I have pictures that I took of the rivets and what I saw once I removed everything along with the P/N for the rivets that I can post later.

The module on the bottom of the headlight is the ballast. The LED control module is on the back of where the high beam bulb used to be when we were young ;)

The two modules on the bottom with the heat sinks are led modules. The LEDs are integrated into them, and then LEDs shine line into the plastic rings.

The other metal module on the bottom is the ballast for the D1S bulb. The module under the black plastic cover on the bottom is the adaptive headlight control module. The module on the back where the high beam bulb used to be is the DRL control module

Do the halo's flicker? Kind of like they pulse,mine did the day I bought it used.12 x5.I have't seen them do it again,was wondering if there was a switch had on for them to do that.I just seen vids saying it's the canbus checking the bulb is on.Is that true?Tks

Thanks for all the inputs guys, I appreciate it and it gets me thinking about how to go about getting in there to hopefully change it out or at least check all the connections. For the record it is only the right side that is out. I got an error a few months ago that it was out while driving but it ended up coming back on and worked for a couple months. This time when it went out it hasn't came back on. So to access it...it sounds like I need to go through the wheel well or is it the module behind the lens where the high beams used be? I do see a cover with four screws on it but they seem nearly impossible to get to. Geeeze, what a PITA to change a bulb! You'd think the German engineers would have thought this one out a bit before settling on this design! As soon as I get some time I'll be back under the hood or wheel well to see if I can follow some of your instructions and reply back with the results. Thanks again!

If both the rings are out, I would doubt that its the associated LED module. Most likely the DRL module. What error do you get on the dash? Can you scan the codes, because that will definitely log a code.

Blue Dragon..
The only thing indicates that light is out is the message we get when a bulb is out. It tells me my Right daytime running light is out. I think I'll try to get to the module this weekend sometime. I'm planning to call the parts desk as well to see if they have a clue as to what I need to order.

You should also know that if it is a short or open circuit and you didnt fix the problem for ~50 ignition cycles this light will never come on even if you replace a faulty module. You definitely need BMW diagnostic tool to see what is going on.

Interesting... What is the purpose of that? To disable it to prevent a short circuit or ..?
I assume it can be re-coded/re-enabled once you repair it?

Not in a conventional way. BMW will replace the module as it appears as a hard code(not erasable). There are ways to be done, but none is a straightforward.

I think you can reset the counter with tool32

This is not a straightforward procedure and I as a medium level Tool32 user was never able to accomplish that. But is doable.

Update
 

I ended up sucking it up and letting the dealer change the LED modules in the X last week. I took it in and they thought that it had the H8 to no avail. Turned from 60 buck to a 1000 real quick. The LED modules were 660 and they installed them in an hour or so. The thing is, is they need to be programed. WTH BMW, This is the last straw for me guys. To have to pay a grand for a parking light is above reproach! Never thought it would happen to me but it did.
Rant over....now I know for sure it dosent have the h8 for halos its got something far more expensive and I cant see any different!!:(

Sorry to hear you have been just another dealer's victim. The "LED modules" doesnt have to be programmed, and probably they were not faulty at all, but the delaer just chaged them. The "DRL module" was most probably faulty and it has to be programmed. It has list price of ~$144.

Hey redhors66: Who is your local dealer near Yuba City? My X5 just started exhibiting the same right side DRL/Parking light out message today. I confirmed this evening that BOTH the halos on the right side are out.

My car is an early 2011, so I have the old style Halos, not the brighter LED style ones. I'm considering upgrading if it makes sense (but not for $1k). I know you can't really see better when driving, but do the LED halos really LOOK that better to you, compared to what you had before?

You have to replace a simple bulb if you have the old style halos