XSeries-forum

i went work this morning and was met with the check numberplate light message.

before i go thumping around the arse end of my car.........is it an easy fix or is it a typical bumper off/diff out/gearbox out/bootlid off job to replace a sodding bulb? also what type of bulb please.

cheers guys

Really simple job "any competent mechanic with a Garage and a few helpers can sort these in a couple of days"

Seriously though it is a straight forward job on mine it wasn't actually the bulb it was corrosion on the holder still only took 10 minutes to clean with a Dremel and refit with a dob of grease to slow down future corrosion.

[quote="the shreksta"].......is it an easy fix or is it a typical bumper off/diff out/gearbox out/bootlid off job to replace a sodding bulb?
[/quote]

Cynic!  You have owned BMWs for too long  )

I think it is a C5W type

Video to help.

video not working

Rechecked and it's fine on my PC (Win7) and iPad.....should be OK for you then ???  Unless your browser is locking out the video plugin perhaps?  Some are now refusing anything not coded in HTML5 (such as Flash)

Hopefully its just the bulb when mine went a wire had a snapped in the loom where it enters the tailgate!

[quote="strummer"]
Hopefully its just the bulb when mine went a wire had a snapped in the loom where it enters the tailgate!
[/quote]

right i have just checked the numberplate lights and they are both working yet im still getting the message.............any ideas?

[quote="the shreksta"]
[quote="strummer"]
Hopefully its just the bulb when mine went a wire had a snapped in the loom where it enters the tailgate!
[/quote]

right i have just checked the numberplate lights and they are both working yet im still getting the message.............any ideas?
[/quote]

I seem to remember the warning comes up when resistance is lower and as the bulb wears it's resistance gets lower. Not enough to have the bulb gone but enough to give the warning. Change the bulbs and no more warning.

No doubt, anyone familiar with electrickery will know what happens but I remember this from my 540i.

Spot on Denise O,drove me mad every one on the rear all worked!!! Checked over a period of a month ?? On MOT a shed them to check, new bulb and some work on holder message gone.