Tail light replacement (E70)
 

Anyone have any good instructions on how to remove the outer and inner tail lights? I have seen snippets of how to replace the tail lights but nothing that makes me feel confident that I will do it correctly. I've searched other forums too.

I purchased the LCI tail lights from Morristown BMW on eBay and want to install those. I know about the coding errors that I'll have and will address those when my cable arrives from HK.

Thanks

For the outer ones, its pretty easy. Open the panels from inside, loosen 2, or 3 bolts from each side, disconnect the cable connectors, and push them out, give it a firm push, because the adhesive tape sticking. The inner ones, it is a little tricky. there are 2 small panels from inside of the lift gate, first you need to pop it open with a small flat screw driver, then you need to loosen 1 bolt on each side, now you need to separate between the lights and the panels because again the adhesive. Be very careful, you don't want to push it out too strong, if you look closely you can see the 2 hooks from the outer side of the inner lights hooked them to the lift gate. After you have the adhesive separated from the panels, push the lights towards the sides of the truck to unhooked them, don't push them towards the back, because you will break the hooks. I hope i remember the process correctly.
Have fun and good luck.

jspdr,

Thanks for all that. Appreciate it. I'll try taking some pictures with a goal to producing a "how to" guide.

You're welcome. That would be fun and helpful.

Any chance you were able to develop the how to guide?!?!

monto,

No, unfortunately not. The way that I did it not was by not removing the inside tailgate panel (as I did not know how to remove) but rather working through tiny gaps. I would not recommend that way as it will only work well for someone with long skinny fingers :(

I basically followed jspdr's directions but did take a couple of photos. I'll see if I can add some of that info this weekend.

No worries. I came across this video which is the exact problem I'm having with water in the lights.

http://youtu.be/KGZ3GxH0Fs0

Yeah, that's a good video of the process! I had searched and hadn't come across that one when I was looking for a video...

Were you able to successfully install and code on your own? One of my original lights is rusted to the point that it needs to be replaced so no sense spending the money on the old style if I could put it towards LCI lights!

I notice you're in CT. I'm in North Haven every other weekend or so to see the girlfriend.

Nice video. I have a problem with water after going through high pressure no-touch automatic washer and the water drips down through the center (where the tail gate latch is). Could the water be going through the tail lights? Also, the left side tail lights went out recently.

The video says the replacement foam seal is available from BMW deals, is that where you purchased yours?