XSeries-forum

Just got the warning message on the dash, so indeed my passenger side light is out. I did a search and found another post regarding this bulb, but that was replacing it with an aftermarket one.

Anyone got the spec of the bulb required before I start fiddling getting the old one out? Don't want to start it and then have to go to the dealer to get a bulb.

its a strange one so I found it easier to take it out and show it to the dealer or motor factor. Guide books in the likes of halfords are useless.
Cheers

It could be an H10W bulb? I changed mine for the HIDS4U kit earlier in the year so I'll have to find the box they're in and try to read the bulb code.

Hella Part number for the actual bulb is : 8GH 007 643-121 Bulb, parklight Halogen 12V/10W

Given the construction of the bulbholder will probably need a Dremel to be able to pull the back out as it seems to have been heat sealed in place, it might be an OEM special (agaIN!!). You certainly can't get the bulb out from the front as the two bayonet pins foul the mirror section.

I was expecting more from the LEDs I fitted so looked into uprating these bulbs.

Going from memory the pins on the bulb are slightly offset. This makes them non standard and a cow to remove.

The entire holder is easy to remove so you could take a closer look in the warm kitchen.

I stuck with the LEDs in the end.

edit: Just got the OEMs out of the boot. The bulb will not clear the cone shaped interior reflector. The bulb holder is attached to the cone reflector at the rear in two places where the plastic has been melted similar to a spot weld.

I would pare this off with a knife to pull the holder from the rear of the cone and glue back when the bulb has been changed.

All this will be apparent when you get it on the bench.

Thanks for that, did not realise it was this major and destructive to replace it!

The AE bulb is a halogen one and simple to get at and replace on the E53 3.0d. You can either replace it with a standard one or replace both with aftermaket White led ones. To remove, just twist the round cover off the back of the light unit and you'll see the halogen bulb just inside (brownish sort of colour). Just twist it to release and pull the connector out the back.

I'd use thus as an opportunity to mod it and go with White angel eyes...

That is an idea. Do you have a link for the white ones?

Depends what you want. LED modules, LED bulbs, ice white filament 6W*, uprated ice white filament 10W*.

It did my head in when I was looking.

But as I said earlier, I still have a suspicion about the bulb pins. So best to get the actual bulb out and check.

*IIRC.

[quote=""pvr""]That is an idea. Do you have a link for the white ones?[/quote]

I fitted these...

http://www.hids4u.co.uk/bmw-oem-angel-e ... 66-87.html

Simple plug and play... Includes bulbholder so it's a straight 1 for 1 swap.

Looking good

[quote=""X5Sport""]I fitted these...[/quote]
Me too but perhaps we should mention the cold check strobing.

What exactly does it do? Do the lights flash and therefore only visible outside or does the check panel inside the car display an issue as well?

The halos will flash about a dozen times every time you start the car. All lighting circuits get these pulses to test for a broken circuit (blown bulb). This only effects LED as they illuminate quicker than filaments. Since the circuit is complete, no fault is displayed, just the strobe as mentioned with this type.

Some say this happens every x number for minutes while the car is running, but I have never noticed that before I disabled the check.

It's a five minute job to disable the cold check with a scanner and lappy. Maybe a member could do it for you at a meet?

Those are the ones I would get (hids4u link above). As someone has stats they just strobe for a few seconds on start up. Nothing to worry about at all.

As a slight aside, if you ever video a BMW and then use a slowmo system for playback you can actually see some of the checks going on, or a low light camera and you can see the cold checks too"............for those that might be even slightly interested (or bored)