XSeries-forum

Hello all just bought a e53 x5 3.0i sport,on the test drive when indicating i noticed the indicators flashing fast ie bulb out,turns out the rear o/s one not working so change the bulb and still the same,so whats next?

Corroded wiring is a common cause.  You need to remove the light unit and check/clean the contacts etc.

Richard

Ok thanks,I take it it's the plug that needs checked?

Might sound obvious but check the new bulb works.

Be careful changing bulbs as they have a tendency to disappear into the clusters.

Quite possibly a corroded contact area on the cluster............Basically the circuit is completed when the bulb holder contacts a metal conductive area on the cluster. Common for these to corrode on the pre-facelift cars.

Can't see any corrosion in the part the bulbs touches,so i take it i need to try the plug that connects to the cluster?

Check the plug definitely as sometimes you get issues with the earth connection on it, but also try bending the contacts on the bulb holder slightly (2 metal prongs) to make a better connection onto the cluster itself. sometimes they don't quite touch.

Only way to properly check the  cluster for corrosion is to remove the whole unit and then examine the contact area that the bulb holder sits and locates in.

Not seen the car but confident this is a common issue. This based on my Indy owning same car and telling me he has dealt with many failures so attributable.

I fixed mine by exposing fresh metal on the cluster even though the oxidisation was barely visible on first inspection.

Update the car has towing electrics fitted and looks like a loose wire among it when i move the wires the indicator comes on,so the towing electrics are coming out or rewired wednesday.

I take it that is an aftermarket fit?  The BMW version is just plug and play.  One connector for the extra loom and a trailer module into it's relevant socket in the space behind the battery.

Richard

Get some vaseline and apply to bulb pins and shoulders, brilliant stuff for preventing corrosion etc.

Lez

[quote="lezmtaylor"]
Get some vaseline and apply to bulb pins and shoulders, brilliant stuff for preventing corrosion etc.

Lez
[/quote]Thanks for the tip.

Turns out it's a connection pin inside the plug.

[quote="jason1872"]
Turns out it's a connection pin inside the plug.
[/quote]
the earth connection? (brown wire) If so just tap into the wire and connect via solder to the relative circuit on the cluster.

No wasn't brown was live feed,solved for now anyway.