E89 led indicator failed - what required?

[Z4e89G]

Hi all

My drivers side rear indicator has failed on my 12 plate e89 Msport z4 and I am unsure what to do.

Is it possible to diy replace the led bulbs or is it what I fear in that the whole unit needs replacing?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, the whole unit needs to be replaced..no user serviceable parts inside.sadly..

For info, the design was revised a few time over the years, make sure you get a post 2016 version!

Also, you may find the the colours of the lenses may have faded so a matched pair MAY look better..

Pretty common problem on E89s.

When refitting pls make sure not to over tighten the the two screws of the new version as that can cause the unit's front and rear to seperate.

You may have a 3 screw version in which case you need to seal the hole.

Finally make sure the double seal lip around each access area is sat properly in the rear boot area.. ie one lip outisde and one lip inside..

 

[Stash36]

Yes, new unit required I just fell fowl of this.
Eurocarparts have them at £178 with code egg80, expires soon. BMW are about £235.

I ordered off eBay for £170 from Latvia thinking I would happily wait a month to save 60 quid. It arrived with £60 import tax thanks to Brexit

 

[Z4e89G]

Thanks both.

As I have a 62 plate e89 - would this suit from carparts4less?

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/magneti-marelli-rear-lamp-478112520

£120 with 20% code.

Also could I fit this, or failing that an Indy? Would rather stay clear from bmw.

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks both.

As I have a 62 plate e89 - would this suit from carparts4less?

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/magneti-marelli-rear-lamp-478112520

£120 with 20% code.

Also could I fit this, or failing that an Indy? Would rather stay clear from bmw.

Thanks!

Yes that's fine..most people should be able to fit it..you need a trim tool to remove the relevant boot trim and an 8mm spanner for the nuts..as I said very low torque 5 ish nm I think on the nuts, the seals if properly fiited hold the units in place largely..

I would imagine there will be youtube videos on it and if you search here its been done many times..

Like many jobs its not that difficult once you done it..just the first time is always harder..getting the seals correctly installed is the most important issue.. piece of cake for any good indy with those caveats!

 

[deka]

Had to do drivers side and then passenger side, 120£ for one from carparts, there is also a video online showning how to do.. not the best vid but it shows you what to do and it is a doddle.

 

[Z4e89G]

Had to do drivers side and then passenger side, 120£ for one from carparts, there is also a video online showning how to do.. not the best vid but it shows you what to do and it is a doddle.

Thank you.

Have you a link to the youtube video? Can’t seem to find one... cheers

 

[ori]

I had this on my first e89. Luckily it was replaced under warrantee.
Funnily enough, my friend just had this on his old 3 series. He purchased LED bulbs from eBay and opened up the light and replaced the LEDS. He then sealed it all up and works perfectly.

 

[Amg01]

have exactly the same problem, using the link, thanks, have just ordered a new light, also a 2012 model I have. Have redone my boot seal to stop water ingress and put a whole lot of sealant around my light which seemed to have stopped the majority of water ingress. Any tips on disconnecting the connecting wire on the light, I have removed all other parts?

 

[Stash36]

Probably too late now but you need to press down on the edge of the connector, just above where the black/white wire enters the block.

 

[flybobbie]

I took old rear light apart. It's all stuck together. Unless very careful almost impossible not to break it. Then faced with circuit board with integrated circuits and surface mount leds. Just easier to buy for £120.
Of course the circuit board is at the bottom where water will collect.

 

[mcbraidwood1]

Not sure if it's still needed, but I've found a video on zpost. The light removal is around 5min 30secs and seems pretty detailed. I'll need to have a go at it this weekend as well, new light just arrived.

https://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1721558

 

[Amg01]

Thanks all, light came, replaced and all working fine, all warning signs coming up have now disappeared.

 

[Stash36]

What is a shame is not only does the new lense show up the fading of the old one, it burns much brighter too. I've took the plunge and ordered the other side and hope to recoup 70 or 80 quid from my old lense which is perfect and bone dry....would actually be a better option for someone needing a replacement from similar age car.

 

[Anonymous]

What is a shame is not only does the new lense show up the fading of the old one, it burns much brighter too. I've took the plunge and ordered the other side and hope to recoup 70 or 80 quid from my old lense which is perfect and bone dry....would actually be a better option for someone needing a replacement from similar age car.

I thought you might notice the difference given the relative ages of lenses..you could add yours to the 4 spares ones I have

 

[Stash36]

Ha ha four? How'd you manage that?

 

[Argyll Andy]

Ha ha four? How'd you manage that?

He forgot he’d bought the first pair :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Ha ha four? How'd you manage that?

He forgot he’d bought the first pair :lol:

Long story, first unit I fixed them second unit got condensation..decided to replace 2nd unit before it failed with new unit..3rd unit then saw colours didn’t match, bought 4th unit...decided to re-furb units 1 and 2 with friend who runs a small scale electronics company in Hemel but Covid got in the way..chap advertised two one year old units he has fitted to his car to freshen it up..sold car to a dealer..took new units out plus other goodies, sold car with old stuff...I bought the one year old ones to add to my collection

 

[deka]

Had to do drivers side and then passenger side, 120£ for one from carparts, there is also a video online showning how to do.. not the best vid but it shows you what to do and it is a doddle.

Thank you.

Have you a link to the youtube video? Can’t seem to find one... cheers

Apologies it looks like it has been removed, the only difficult part of the procedure was to stop the roof mid opening and closed to undo some of the bolts

 

[R.E92]

Who are the original makers of the light units on the E89? Those prices are good if Magneti Marelli are the original manufacturer.

I've had bad experiences with ECP lights. They sell Depo units for the E46 that are complete junk.