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  #1  
Old 07-22-2014, 11:25 AM
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Anoying Tail Light Buld Repalcement Problem

My tail light indicator on my dash came on telling me that a bulb was burned out on the driver side. I bought a new one and replaced it, light went on again the day after, I replaced it again, light went out and came on the day after that?.

Anyone experience this issue, is there a magical way to install the bulb?

Thanks in advance
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  #2  
Old 07-22-2014, 12:49 PM
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For older E53s, especially, there is a common defect with overheating/plastic melting. Search for the long thread on this topic, with instructions. But first, try pulling the bulb mounts from the light and check the connections closely; if not burned/corroded, you may just need to clean them up and use dielectric grease.
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Old 07-22-2014, 12:51 PM
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See the attached article, explaining the more complicated repair. There is also a BMW shop repair guide, included in the longer thread.
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File Type: pdf BMW X5 Tail Lamp Assembly Repair.pdf (282.3 KB, 617 views)
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Old 07-22-2014, 01:04 PM
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Maybe the center bulb?
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Old 07-22-2014, 11:17 PM
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Never have this problem again with LED taillights.
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Old 07-23-2014, 08:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmv View Post
Never have this problem again with LED taillights.
2.5 years and haven't looked back
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:53 AM
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You have to pull the whole lens out and repair where the bulb sits on the lens...............crappy design.
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Old 07-23-2014, 11:06 AM
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is the light bulb burned for real, or are you getting a burned report on a good bulb? if the bulb is burned for real, then try to get a bulb from a dealer, not walmart/kmart... i had a similar problem on my E34 about 15 years ago, chinese made bulbs were burning like there was no tomorrow, until i got a hungarian made bulb from a dealer - that one stayed good for years...

if the bulb is good, but you are getting the report that it is burned, then you need to pull the assembly and clean the contacts both, on the bulb holder and the light assembly... while at it, check for electrical burn-outs at the points of metal contacts...
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Old 07-23-2014, 11:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cn90 View Post
Maybe the center bulb?
My first thought was the same...after coming to the assumption that the OP probably has the low instrument cluster (based on the wording)...which made me immediately think of this warning in the e39 sedans...that warning can mean the right rear tail light or the center-mounted (3rd) brake light.

(Graphic Display for BMW sedans w/incandescent 3rd brake light bulb)


But then I remembered...the e53's hi-mount center (3rd) brake light is an LED strip.


And to the OP...I highly recommend clicking the USER CP link at the top of the page and consider creating a signature that includes your model/model year/build date. This helps us to help you better...because there are multiple models/engines, trannys, options, and changed during the production run from 2000-2006 which could call for multiple answers, suggestions, recommendations, diagrams, DIYs, etc.

You could end up with incorrect information, or waste time getting suggestion/recommendations that don't apply to you because the forum may incorrectly guess as to the specifics of your situation or issue.

For instance, there's 2 different types of instrument clusters...and it took (at least me) a double read to make sure that it sounded like you have the low cluster that uses the Graphic Display...instead of the high cluster which has a 20 digit alpha/numeric display that shows the warnings from the Check Control system.


Low Instrument Cluster




High Instrument Cluster


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Old 07-23-2014, 01:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmv View Post
Never have this problem again with LED taillights.
Until the whole unit fails (as it did in my E70).
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