I Give Up - Impossible Bulb Replacement

Bing said:
Beetlegav said:
When I take my light covers off I pack the rubber seal with Vaseline. Hasn't developed condensation once since I did that
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Personally I wouldn't do that - Vaseline is very bad for rubber. I'd use a silicone spray /wipe of some kind instead.
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Bing It sounds like you have previous experience with Vaseline and rubber :rofl: and socks :lol:

OP - once you get your new LED bulb in the holder turn on your sidelights and use a small mirror in your other hand to hold in front of your headlight lens so you can guide the bulb home using it's own light.
 
28soh81.jpg
 
Look on the bright side, at least it's not a French car that needs a visit to a main dealer to change a bulb.... :D
 
Taz said:
does it just pull out or is it twist and pull?
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Just pull no need to twist (sick of telling her this!) :lol:

Seriously though there is no thread it's just a push fit.

Get some LEDs in there....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MTEC-3-1-Watt-LED-501-W5W-T10-Sidelight-Capless-wedge-bulbs-Twin-Pack-/400883032835?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d567da303
 
urghhhhhhh

its a tight little fecker, i've managed to pull the connector off the bulb but i can't pull the bulb out :headbang:
 
As per the pic above feel around for the thin plastic spade/lolly stick shape and pull on that.
 
oo7ml said:
Hi,

I've changed the bulbs on my Z4(s) a lot of the last 6-7 years, and i've never had a problem... but i just can't get at this one (see image below).

HOW THE #*^% DO YOU TAKE IT OUT :-)

bulb.jpg


I've tried the normal turn the wheel to the side and access the panel in the arch, but it's impossible to get at it.

I presume you need to take the wheel off to change this bulb?

Thanks in advance for any help.
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NO!! dont remove the wheel

The first time i tried i assumed you turn the wheel to face in to make access to the back (made sense), but you actually turn/steer the wheel OUT and you get full access. Getting the back off is awkward the first time as its a leaning curve, but i change a bulb last week and from stat to finish was well under 5min.

First: you need use a 2.p coin to turn the 2 access panel retaining bits (on the outer dirt cover /inner wheel arch) Anti clockwise until you can feel they cant go anymore (about 2 thirds of a full turn).
Second: there is a sliver metal tension bar/handle that is pulled across the light back panel to seal, watch your knuckles but it'll need bit of force. This pulls down ward out of the way and to the side.
Third: you can now lift away the Headlight back panel, but i find you only need to angle it away to gain access instead of fully removing it as access is tricky getting it in and out. As long as you can get your fingers in you should now easily be able to remove the bulb that needs changing.

Try to avoid doing this when there is moister in the air (eg a cold damp day) because all though water might not get in the moisture in the air then condenses every time the headlight gets cold steaming up the glass/lens. People will tell you that its the seal that needs replacing but if moisture is in and the seal is good the moisture will never escape and its a constant (clear when there warm, mist when there cold cycle). Make sure your hands dry, and if it is a damp day give the inside a quick blast with a hair drier, or pop in a bag of silica gel in the back.
 
i can ge to the bulb but it just seems very tight, i've managed to pull the connector off the bulb but the bulb will not come out, this is why i have concluded i may need to take the wheel off and get in with some pliers
 
Taz said:
i can ge to the bulb but it just seems very tight, i've managed to pull the connector off the bulb but the bulb will not come out, this is why i have concluded i may need to take the wheel off and get in with some pliers
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this happened to me once, and i didn't need to remove the wheel but used pliers like you say, its a bit awkward to do but certainly don't need to remove the wheel (altho will make it easier)
 
Mine has Xenons too but I don't recognise that. Mine looks like the 'fekkin yoke' posted by MrPT on page 2 of the thread. How weird, maybe you have removed more than just the bulb holder, or do you have aftermarket headlamps?
 
did mine with out taking the wheel off but beware the bulb i refitted was not a tight fit and as i pushed it back in it fell out of the holder and into the headlight, what a night mare bumper off light out pain in the ass, so make sure you put good fitting bulbs :(
 
Yep - xenons. That's the halo bulb, looks like it has been modified to take an LED bulb because IIRC the fitting and bulb come as one unit if you buy from BMW.
 
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