DIY - How to remove the light switch

TwinsPoppa · #1 03-25-2009, 09:28 PM

Thanks to mrbmwX5 for showing me how to do this!

Gently take a flathead screwdriver and pry up to unclip the vent at #1 & #2. You will hear a click each time indicating its unclipped.

Gently wedge the flathead at the top between the vent & dash at #3 and push down (don't twist). This will pop the vent out and you can just pull it up and out.

Take the flathead screw driver and wedge it between the dash and switch at #4. Push the screwdriver away from you and you will hear a click, keep going and firmly push harder - then you'll know when it has totally unlclipped. Do the same at #5.

Switch loose. Notice how large the tabs are. That's why you have to push until it seems its going to break or doesn't want to come out.

Take a tiny flathhead and push down at #6 to release the gray lock.

Push the gray lock down to position #7. At this point your parking lights will come on and your dash will indicate your lights are on. I have no idea why. Continue to remove the harness by grabbing the black connector at #8 and pull firmly straight up. It will just pop out.

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X Foomph · #2 03-25-2009, 09:50 PM

That's interesting to know on how to go about removing the light switch panel and only one tool needed for it. Do I guess right and say you are looking to hook up a/eyes to the front switch or are you going to retro a euro sw like I have ??

I'm a little perplexed in that you guys in the US don't have the rotating dial like we do (euro spec) which adjusts the h/lights up and down. Does this mean that we have manual adjusting h/lights whereas you have self auto adjusting ??

TwinsPoppa · #3 03-25-2009, 09:59 PM

Nope, I have the AEs already connected to actually two switches.

Bernie .. I did this for you and Mike ... well really just Mike!

Mr. X5meister wanted to get pics from you of your switch, remember? You know ... from when we hijacked lemans4.8's thread here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...-question.html

I really have no idea why we don't have that dial but I'm sure Mike will have the answer. If not now, very soon!

X Foomph · #4 03-25-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

...................................Bernie .. I did this for you and Mike ... well really just Mike!

..................

I thought as much Jose, was just waiting in the wings for it to be resurrected, so here we go. Hopefully Mike can shed some light on this dial jobby thing.

rastaFarai · #5 03-25-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Nope, I have the AEs already connected to actually two switches.

Bernie .. I did this for you and Mike ... well really just Mike!

Mr. X5meister wanted to get pics from you of your switch, remember? You know ... from when we hijacked lemans4.8's thread here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...-question.html

I really have no idea why we don't have that dial but I'm sure Mike will have the answer. If not now, very soon!

How do you have the AEs connected to switches? where's that DIY? lol

TwinsPoppa · #6 03-25-2009, 10:13 PM

Bernie .. what does that extra dial control? I know you mentioned it controlled up and down motion but of what? Xenons or halogens? And if halogens which ones? The main beams or the inner ones which is normally where the DRLs are here in the USA.

I think it has something to do with not having the AUTO mode. This mode is where it uses a sensor in the windshield to automatically turn on the headlights when it get s darker. Do you have this mode?

TwinsPoppa · #7 03-25-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastaFarai

How do you have the AEs connected to switches? where's that DIY? lol

EDIT: Dang, could have sworn it was Bernie who asked and he has a pre-facelift. Disregard the first sentence Rasta.

Well its really more for us 04+ owners but you can modify my instructions a little and use it. Also, I ran into an intermittent problem but I THINK its a matter of using the switches I have now. I wrote the DIY w/o instructions on using the switch so I need to add more to it - once I confirm everything is kosher.

Here it is. Questions just ask on that thread and I'll be happy to answer as best as I can.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...eyes-drls.html

X Foomph · #8 03-25-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Bernie .. what does that extra dial control? I know you mentioned it controlled up and down motion but of what? Both inner and outer beams (when they are on), they both move at the same time. If just main h/light on, it still moves both beams.
Xenons or halogens? Halogens (you wanna swap?)
And if halogens which ones? The main beams or the inner ones which is normally where the DRLs are here in the USA. See above. Note: We don't have DRL's mandated as in the US, so we don't have to worry about getting them dissconnected like you guys

I think it has something to do with not having the AUTO mode. This mode is where it uses a sensor in the windshield to automatically turn on the headlights when it get s darker. Do you have this mode? No, I don't have the sensor on the w/shield for h/lights nor wipers (no biggy).

.
Hope this helps a bit.

TwinsPoppa · #9 03-25-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X Foomph

.
Hope this helps a bit.

It does help but now there are some other questions I have but I better stop now because it could go on and on!

I'll let Mike chime-in first.

Weasel · #10 03-25-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X Foomph

I'm a little perplexed in that you guys in the US don't have the rotating dial like we do (euro spec) which adjusts the h/lights up and down. Does this mean that we have manual adjusting h/lights whereas you have self auto adjusting ??

You guys don't get self leveling xenons? I need to take a short video for ya then! And this is built into the headlights I'm gonna be modding for sale too, may be able to retrofit it to work, but might have different wiring to the headlights that would stop you from being to use them...

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