BMW Xenon Bulb Failure And Replacement

[@davidparker4732]

The dealer quoted me $525 to replace one headlight. Thank you for doing this video. I picked up a replacement bulb at NAPA for $100, left the other $425 in my jeans. BTW, these are all Canadian prices.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

LOL Awesome David!

[@jeffc79]

Thanks for the no nonsense video. I love our X5, but some things can be a huge pain to address. Great, straightforward information.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Thank Jeff! Glad it helped!

[@chrisSea1346]

This video saved me some money and frustration-especially how you described which direction to twist the bulb to remove and insert. Thanks!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Awesome Chris! Thanks for commenting!

[@chrisncars317]

Thanks for the video! I just got a message alerting me my low beam has malfunction. I am going to perform a swapnoses and hopefully it’s just the bulb!

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Your welcome Chris! I love the swapnosos term 😆

[@chrisncars317]

@@AskTheCarExperts update: the swapnoses yielded in a faulty light bulb. I ordered an affordable pair from Amazon which should arrive today. I am planning on getting a nicer set of bulbs, but with so many on the market, I wanted to fix the issue for the meantime and keep them as a backup pair once I have swapped them out with a higher end bulb. With that being said, do you or anyone else who may see this have a pair of bulbs they recommend? My previous bulbs didn’t illuminate far. I drive in the hill country a lot and I struggled to spot any deer up ahead due to the beam of light not traveling far. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

[@mindofkayo6753]

i have a bmw x5 from 2014 and i have a low beam malfunction and i was wondering the bulb is the same or any different?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Depends on vehicle options. You may have halogen or xenon

[@mindofkayo6753]

@@AskTheCarExperts how do i see what bulb i have in the car?

[@donallen714]

So, I’m on there with the cover off. My hands are kinda large and it’s tough to get a hold. There are no metal retaining pins. I’m guessing it’s a twist to lock. Would you mind sharing is it clockwise or counterclock wise to release? I don’t want to break anything forcing it the wrong way

[@Ris-v4w]

are you still there ? 😂 lefty-loosey righty-tighty 👌

[@kobes1925]

Do you HAVE to take the fuse out? It’s a nightmare figuring out which ones are for the headlight

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello Kobes, The great thing here is that you do not need to remove a fuse to replace a bulb. With the key off the headlight is not powered. So you know I am running a giveaway for a scan tool on my website at www.askthecarexoerts.com if you want to enter. Let me know how your install goes!

[@annihil8ted993]

how much force is needed to twist the bulbs? Mine don't have retaining clips but even with a considerable amount of force, it still doesn't twist loose

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Some have metal retainers that need to be released if you don't have the twist bulb. Try to use a mirror to see what it looks like to determine how to remove it better. Or a picture with a smart phone.

[@annihil8ted993]

@@AskTheCarExperts I have the twist bulb as I haven't seen any retaining clips anywhere and also I think all LCI models except for maybe early in the first year have switched to the twist method. Another question, on some forums, people were saying to switch a plastic retaining ring around the bulb, did you have to do that?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

@@annihil8ted993 They can be very difficult to twist. On this vehicle I did not have to swap a plastic ring.

[@annihil8ted993]

@@AskTheCarExperts I'll give it another shot and just ignore my fears of breaking something haha. From what I can tell, these are still the original bulbs since 2013 so I wouldn't be surprised if they've somehow cemented together

[@wass006]

Do you got the bulb first and the connector at the end?

[@V10PDTDI]

I notice that this body style of X5 tend to have problem with cracked headlight lenses this is dangerous for module damage it got one not long ago that the bulb module was shorted and also damaged the footwell module there was a power supply missing from the footwell module good think I notice the headlight module was wet because if I would've damaged the footwell module not long ago I've got a F25 X3 that the round cover was missing and guess what the bottom module was full of water I had to remove the module and clean the connector and every thing was fine .

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Good find and great save! The footwell modules have a short circuit protection built in. If the system sees a short too many times it will permanently disable the FRM footwell module which would require replacement and programming. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@brihamlin1]

cannot pull the darn cord cap plug off the old bulb. No leverage with one hand and it is not coming off by pulling with the limited leverage I do have. Is there a clip of some kind on the plug that goes into the base of the Xenon bulb?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, They can be difficult to separate. It takes a lot of wiggling to get them free sometimes.

[@PragmaticEmboldenment]

I have these same headlights, can't for the life of me find info on how to change the angel eye bulb. Would you happen to know where it is, and what size bulb?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Is your BMW an E70 X5?

[@Mr_Smith88]

Yes…

[@jlane7731]

Hi my friend. What’s the difference between D1R and D1S. I ordered the d1r by mistake. It should be the other one. Will it make a difference? Ps I’m the guy with the key fob stuck in ignition. Thank you! Joe

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hi Joe, D1r Is for reflective housings. D1S is for shielded housings. The R bulb had a blocked area do no light will shine through. Your vehicle is most likely the D1S. Hope this helps :)

[@ryanlonergan4651]

those bulbs are now discontinued. is there an alternative or a place to buy the proper bulbs?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

They are still available. If you are having trouble try FCP Euro. www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-bulb-hella-d1s?ads_cmpid=12768022447&ads_adid=123949240507&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=g&ads_creative=515152297160&ads_targetid=pla-293946777986&ttv=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhomtBhDgARIsABcaYylxPnL-53TNtjb8iTuy37jF5B1HbJFI1NhMHDmwBZKam4f4pTN29rIaAiaVEALw_wcB

[@buxxy86]

i have hard times replacing the high beam bulbs, both of them stopped working and i cannot find an tutorial how to remove them. The headache is due to the ballast of the low beam which is obstructing "the safe access" of the bulbs....Any tips?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, If you send me the VIN and your email I may be able to send repair instructions. Use my website to contact me. www.askthecarexperts.com

[@mikedocuocsongmy5349]

Why only works outside the bulb? I am very curious because this situation is like my car and only 2 external lights work

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hi Kylie, I am not sure I understand your question. Can you go into more detail?

[@HighPr00f]

What about the low beam? as far as i can tell, the only way to replace that bulb would be to take off the entire bumper, then removed the entire headlight assembly... and even then it looks damn near impossible to get a hand in to remove the low-beam bulb.... any tips would be greatly appreciated

[@AskTheCarExperts]

You may be correct Dave. Some models require the headlight removal to access the bulbs.

[@HighPr00f]

@@AskTheCarExperts Thanks for your help! Turns out, BMW must just use the same headlight assembly for many different models. On my 2011 X3 xDrive35I, the headlight "box" has 4 lenses (2 on each side), however with the Xenon DS1 bulbs/ ballast, apparently it only uses the outer lens for both High and Low beam in the same lens... the inner lenses must just be for looks as they never illuminate

[@V10PDTDI]

when I remove a HID bulp I check the small glass in the middle of the bulp when they are new they are clear but when one is defective it's usually much darker in color.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Very good point. Sometimes they yellow or darken with age. Also it is common for one light to look different when first installed but they will sometimes then burn in. But in some cases you need to do both to keep the look the same on both sides. Thanks for posting :)

[@TRACY51167]

You had me at woolybear?

[@RaafatQabodan]

the most difficult part is how to connect the electric plug as the area is very congested and also you can not see any thing

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Very true. You have to go by feel and it can be a bit difficult.

[@vnamg8217]

Due to limit access, it's very hard to apply force twisting the bulb. Mine is 2012, it's been 10 yrs so it's very difficult to remove old parts. It still get stuck!!

[@memphisgoober]

Go thru the fender and fender liner gap! Especially if you have big hands

[@jaypers232]

Best to always use cloves when handling HIDs just to make sure you arent getting oils from hands on there.

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Very true Jay!

[@RavinderSingh-bz4lx]

Thanks

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Welcome

[@k_Dab2o697]

Can Led bulbs fit?

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hi Kenna, LED bulbs usually require additional modifications.

[@d3voessti497]

The 3 pin collector wire fully came out anyone know how to reconnect it pls help or link a video that can help

[@AskTheCarExperts]

Hello, If the pin or connector is damaged then the headlight may need replacement. BMW does not sell any repair kits for the headlight. If the pin came out If the connector you can try to reinstall the pin.

[@Sunny-me1xq]

If you put 12000k bulb in there would look amazing