Day or three for some of us.

 

I will let you know how I get on.

Les.

 

I have done these bulbs a couple times, it is possible, I NEVER put back that cover, never had an issue.

the passenger side is the real pain, once you pop that over off with your hand you are good to go. here is a pic of the cover you need to pop off, i did it by just removing the intake hose clamp.

number 9 is the cover you need to pop off first

 

FYI to those who are replacing the hard-to-reach bulb:

You might want to considering buying some high quality W5W bulbs such as Phillips or Osram than from eBay.

A set is about $30 + $20 Canbus error cancel kit . It saves the hassle having to replace those crappy eBay bulbs frequently.

http://www.powerbulbs.com/ca/store/search/w5w%2520

I just placed an order of the 4000k Phillips LED and Canbus error cancel system and will update if I get to use these. I also ordered a set of the Philips Whitevision halogen to test them out.

The Halogen lifespan is rated between 150 to 250 hours of use so upgrading to LED is a good idea.

 

Hi guys i tested a bunch of bulbs, unfortunately i do not have the pics

Tried the:
-Some ebay version 6000k for 6month suddenly the canbus stoped working and the error message bipping every 10sec, it killed me on the high way
-Philips 4000K with philips canbus CEA5w
-Philips 6000K with philips canbus CEA5w
-DSM W5W T10 CANBUS 8 LED 4500K (https://www.dsmlights.ch/feux-de-pos...-150&results=1)
-DSM ALPHA W5W T10 CANBUS 6 LED 5000K (https://www.dsmlights.ch/feux-de-pos...-a11&results=1)

I definitely turn my choice on the last ones that i have since a year, the 5000k seems the most appropriate for me. Even if the xenon is at 4600k the 4500k led were a bit more yellow. Really the 5000k i got are excellent. Allways have a spare one in your car in case. Agree that to replace the right one is a pain in ........ But doable, even managed to replace the cover

 

I agree. I tested my 4300k Philips and it was way too yellow. Go with 5000k+.

 

After trying to remove the headlights and unscrew the hidden bolt deep inside the car with zero clearance, I'd say the difficulty of changing this bulb is relatively simple.

Based on the manual and my own experience of taking off the bumper and fender, these steps are not required unless you want to take off the entire headlight assembly. They do not help in any way in changing the parking bulb.

One thing that will help is to disconnect the chargecooler hose (the big black pipe) and push it to the side.

 

....1980...Could you help us out here...exactly what bulb are you talking about that is "relatively easy" What hidden bolt...Could you refer to the diagram above that was provided by RedNose...some people here say you practically have to take car apart to change some bulbs...thank you JimB

 

I've done this bulb change on my '09 GTC and it was a good hour job for both sides. I used Osram LED's and the DIS gave me a bulb out error down the road, so I had to do the job again and install cancellers.
to those attempting it, it's not impossible but takes patience...and minor disassembly of parts in the way.

 

Hi Jim,

When I said changing the parking bulb is easy, I meant compare to trying to remove the headlight assembly, it is at another level. I got a huge bruise on my forearm from compressing my muscle against the vehicle trying to reach the bolt. For the parking bulb, at least it is relatively easy to reach, more clearance, and doesn't require you to use a wrench.

There are four bulbs per headlight:

1. BI Xenon low & high beam (outer light)
2. Halogen high beam (inner light)
3. Halogen Parking bulb (yellow looking light that people are trying to change in this thread)
4. Halogen turn signal

To change the driver side of the above bulbs, I don't believe large disassembly is required.

To change the #3 parking bulb, it'd be easier if you remove the filter cover and disconnect the top part of the chargecooler hose.


The hidden bolt is circled in RED. This is required if you want to remove the headlight from the car. The driver side removal requires wheel liner, wheel, bumper, fender, vacuum pump, air filter cover, chargecooler hose. This is considered as easy compared to the passenger side removal. The passenger side requires more items like I mentioned in the other thread.

Attachment 1


Here are some pics of the parking bulb cover, lock, and inside so you can do some mental preparation when you need to go in blind to remove the cover.


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....Wow...what an excellent write up and documentation...much thanks from all of us...JimB

 

I've been following this post for some time (years) and have been putting off this DIY until I saw lilo post. Armed with this information I gave it a go and managed to swap both bulbs in 2.5hrs with lots of swearing, bruised hands and back pains. Those with big hands should think twice as its near impossible to get your hands down what little space there is. I lost the cover for the drivers side down in the engine somewhere as I just couldnt get the nib to lock on.

I removed the radiator slam panel, probably not needed to assist in removing the plastic intake ducting. This gives a lot more room to work and I dare say makes its easier for the pax side. The drivers side was a major pita even after unplugging return hose and connector. Once the cover was off I couldnt believe how far in the bulb was and I spent a good 30mins turning the housing with my fingertips without any luck. I finally found it was a PUSH FIT housing but without enough space to grab and pull I used a screwdriver and "flicked" the housing out.

Tips for those who want to attempt this painful DIY.

1) Remember the bulb holder is a PUSH FIT. Forceps could be used to grip and pull out housing.

2) Dont buy large LED type bulbs as they will not fix. I bought a single Cree 5w LED but the metal housing was too big to fit in headlight.

3) The bulbs when installed may still turn in its housing so be wary if you want your single/double sided LED to face a certain direction.

I installed double sided 8 LED canbus PCB type bulb that producing a 5000K white light as photos show. Top left shows OE vs LED parking lights only and bottom with all lights on.

Happy DIYing

J

 

Glad you got your light changed. 5k definitely looks way nicer than the yellow halogen bulb. It matches the XENON headlight color.

The back of the light housing is designed in a way that you have to curve your wrist in in order to reach it because the top of the light is larger than the bottom.

I lost one of my headlight nuts in the engine bay, and it disappeared into oblivion.

 

Good job guys and yeah LED is the way to go imho. Have all LED on the BMW, stock from factory, and love 'em.

 

No thanks to your post which persuaded me to get cracking on long overdue DIY.

Reflecting back I think using some special tools would assist in removing the LED bulb. Such a tool would be an angled alligator forcep to grip LED housing and a flexible USB inspection camera to see where your working.

Angled alligator forcep.


Flexible camera...cheaper ones on ebay.

Thanks again

J

p.s.
Does anyone know why my post count is only 9 now? Not posted for some time but was in the hundreds....strange.