dropped tiny alan key in headlight help

jake169 · 09-22-2013, 12:48 PM

While changing the LUX angel eyes (pain cause the sealing red ring on the angel eyes is too thick, had to trim the rubber sealing on the lux led to get a proper fit and the right alignment

). I dropped a tiny alan key in the assembly, and now I can't get the damn thing out. It has probably lodged itself under the angel eye bulb housing.
Anyways does anyone know if the tiny alan key would be a problem in there. I am not sure how to take out the headlight assembly so I can fish it out. I am just worried it should not mess with my adaptive headlights. Or f anyone knows how to take the headlight assembly out, that would be perfect.

Thanks,
Jake.

Desmo85 · 09-22-2013, 01:12 PM

Get a tiny magnet, put a string on it and go fishing for it!

Or buy one of these:
(Telescope Magnet)

jake169 · 09-22-2013, 01:28 PM

I though of that but I think it is under the the hosing for the lux so I something that bends. I am paranoid now that it will screw something up.

BMWZ4RIDER · 09-22-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChRR1000S

Get a tiny magnet, put a string on it and go fishing for it!

Or buy one of these:
(Telescope Magnet)

Tape a magnet on a small bendable wire hangar and go fishing. Works very well. I fished a washer out of an Intake manifold with this method that required a bendable extension arm.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 09-22-2013, 04:04 PM

Turn the car ass up

it will fall out ... just pulling your leg

Hope you get her out by using a flexible magnet tool or even some sticky gum at the end of a hand made tool or wire with a tiny mirror.

jake169 · 09-22-2013, 06:27 PM

problem is I can't see the damn alan key. I don't know where it is, but it has to be in the housing somewhere. I tried the magnet but nothing, I even tried driving hard and braking to get it moving but can't see it.

Crazykoh · 09-22-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake169

problem is I can't see the damn alan key. I don't know where it is, but it has to be in the housing somewhere. I tried the magnet but nothing, I even tried driving hard and braking to get it moving but can't see it.

One of these might help. Lowes or sears. Sometimes you can find one in a dental set at a drug store. May the force be with you.

andrewyfang · 09-23-2013, 12:55 AM

If you're that worried, remove the headlight and dump it out.

rking117 · 09-23-2013, 09:52 AM

Keep fishing i bet you will end up finding it. The key most of the time is to not give up hope.

jake169 · 09-24-2013, 10:26 AM

Thanks for the ideas guys, but I am not sure how to remove the headlight unit. Does anyone have the instructions on how to remove the headlight unit.

Thanks,
Jake.

09-22-2013, 12:48 PM	#1
jake169 Private First Class 29 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 35is Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	dropped tiny alan key in headlight help While changing the LUX angel eyes (pain cause the sealing red ring on the angel eyes is too thick, had to trim the rubber sealing on the lux led to get a proper fit and the right alignment). I dropped a tiny alan key in the assembly, and now I can't get the damn thing out. It has probably lodged itself under the angel eye bulb housing. Anyways does anyone know if the tiny alan key would be a problem in there. I am not sure how to take out the headlight assembly so I can fish it out. I am just worried it should not mess with my adaptive headlights. Or f anyone knows how to take the headlight assembly out, that would be perfect. Thanks, Jake.
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09-22-2013, 01:12 PM	#2
Desmo85 First Lieutenant 83 Rep 329 Posts Drives: E60 / E87 / E89 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SoBe iTrader: (0)	Get a tiny magnet, put a string on it and go fishing for it! Or buy one of these: (Telescope Magnet)
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09-22-2013, 01:28 PM	#3
jake169 Private First Class 29 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 35is Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	I though of that but I think it is under the the hosing for the lux so I something that bends. I am paranoid now that it will screw something up.
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09-22-2013, 04:04 PM	#5
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	Turn the car ass up it will fall out ... just pulling your leg Hope you get her out by using a flexible magnet tool or even some sticky gum at the end of a hand made tool or wire with a tiny mirror. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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09-22-2013, 06:27 PM	#6
jake169 Private First Class 29 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 35is Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	problem is I can't see the damn alan key. I don't know where it is, but it has to be in the housing somewhere. I tried the magnet but nothing, I even tried driving hard and braking to get it moving but can't see it.
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09-23-2013, 12:55 AM	#8
andrewyfang Enlisted Member 0 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 09 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	If you're that worried, remove the headlight and dump it out.
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09-23-2013, 09:52 AM	#9
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Keep fishing i bet you will end up finding it. The key most of the time is to not give up hope. __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
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09-24-2013, 10:26 AM	#10
jake169 Private First Class 29 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2011 35is Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the ideas guys, but I am not sure how to remove the headlight unit. Does anyone have the instructions on how to remove the headlight unit. Thanks, Jake.
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