various light replacements (mainly re rear LEDs)

[tranquility]

So my car's getting old and various lights have been needing to get replaced, and that's fine after 7 years running, with each bulb service less than $100, but now my rear LED assembly burnt and supposedly the entire thing needs to get replaced costing $7xx? Did anyone replace those and is it indeed that much?

[paris1]

A simple Google search indicates these lights can be repaired. Have you checked in your area to see if someone does this sort of work?

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by paris1

A simple Google search indicates these lights can be repaired. Have you checked in your area to see if someone does this sort of work?

Yup, I'm asking my indy but wanted to know if anyone gone through this...ofc the dealer came up w/ that crazy price.

[NoQuarter]

What are you doing that requires multiple bulb service issues in the $100 price range?

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by NoQuarter

What are you doing that requires multiple bulb service issues in the $100 price range?

From $11-$98, a simple bulb to replacing the headlights.

[BBriner]

I have an US spec E89 here in Switzerland and I had a problem with the right side taillight led. I ended up buying a pair of brand new ones at eBay.co.uk and changed them myself. if I am not mistaken I paid less then 500 CHF (~500 USD) for the pair, shipped and customs cleared.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by BBriner

I have an US spec E89 here in Switzerland and I had a problem with the right side taillight led. I ended up buying a pair of brand new ones at eBay.co.uk and changed them myself. if I am not mistaken I paid less then 500 CHF (~500 USD) for the pair, shipped and customs cleared.

Thanks, so still kinda expensive. I didn't know they cost so much! I thought it was a simple bulb or something...argh.

The funny thing was I didn't get an error msg at all, I just happened to notice it when I was outside. Did you get an error msg?

[BBriner]

Yes I had an error message but my problem was in the indicator leds.

[tranquility]

Anyway, I'm not familiar w/ LEDs at all, if they fail, do they replace the whole thing? If that's the case, that sucks like hell, I always thought that LEDs were overrated/played out, esp now w/ its outrageous replacement costs. Stupid stupid design. /rant

[tranquility]

Bumping to see if anyone had a burnt rear light and what they did about it.

[tranquility]

Anybody take about the rear light assembly (either 2, not the centre brake light)? Just wondering if any tools/sealant are required?

[BBriner]

Originally Posted by tranquility

.... if they fail, do they replace the whole thing?

Unfortunately yes. I am pretty sure that it can be serviced by a skilled person though.

[BBriner]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Anybody take about the rear light assembly (either 2, not the centre brake light)? Just wondering if any tools/sealant are required?

Just a socket is needed. I don't remember the size though.

However, if you buy a new tail light without the gasket, make sure not to damage the one you already have. (part 5 of http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=63_1149)

The tail light assemblies I purchased were complete, with the gasket and all bulbs so it was really an easy job.

[tranquility]

Tx Bbriner. I guess you didn't bother trying to fix the light? Not sure how difficult but I'm gonna give it a go.

[BBriner]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Tx Bbriner. I guess you didn't bother trying to fix the light? Not sure how difficult but I'm gonna give it a go.

Correct, I didn't and I knew (in my case) what to do (at least in theory). The complicated part for me (i.e. I was afraid of) was to bake the assembly in the oven to dismantle it. In my case the Z is my daily drive so I could not afford a try and fail scenario.

BTW: I forgot to mention that if you decide to purchase a new tail light, chances are that you will receive a new model that does not have the middle screw. What I did is to apply silicone to close the hole where this screw/bolt would be in order to minimize the chances of water ingress into the trunk.

Good luck with your attempt to fix it. Let us know how it went.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by BBriner

Correct, I didn't and I knew (in my case) what to do (at least in theory). The complicated part for me (i.e. I was afraid of) was to bake the assembly in the oven to dismantle it. In my case the Z is my daily drive so I could not afford a try and fail scenario.

BTW: I forgot to mention that if you decide to purchase a new tail light, chances are that you will receive a new model that does not have the middle screw. What I did is to apply silicone to close the hole where this screw/bolt would be in order to minimize the chances of water ingress into the trunk.

Good luck with your attempt to fix it. Let us know how it went.

Oh man, I didn't know it will be that labor intensive...I thought it has some screws or something. Well, I'll see what happens when I try to remove the light first.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Anybody take about the rear light assembly (either 2, not the centre brake light)? Just wondering if any tools/sealant are required?

Yes i have. No sealants required but i think you ned a 10mm socket to unbolt them. PLUS i had to remove a number of panels in the trunk to get to what i needed because there was a panel in the way of one of the bolts. Wasnt hard at all took like 20 minutes.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Tx Bbriner. I guess you didn't bother trying to fix the light? Not sure how difficult but I'm gonna give it a go.

if you do replace the LED strip could you let us know what bulbs you used so we can add it to the list of potential fixes?

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by rking117

if you do replace the LED strip could you let us know what bulbs you used so we can add it to the list of potential fixes?

I'll try but dunno if I'm going to succeed, total noob here. I'm surprised no one here burnt them yet and tried diy. Oh well...

So what work did you do when you opened the LED housing?

[tranquility]

So I successfully removed the light only to find out that some of the screws are those that you can only tighten but can't loosen. WTF...they really don't want you to diy. What is that special screwdriver called to unscrew those damn screws? This is such a pita. If anyone can help tx in advance. Sigh, so frustrating.

[tranquility]

Another question is that the LED sometimes still work...so it can't be completely dead, do you guys suspect it's probably a loose connection somewhere instead of a fuse or other issue?

[NoQuarter]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Another question is that the LED sometimes still work...so it can't be completely dead, do you guys suspect it's probably a loose connection somewhere instead of a fuse or other issue?

Certainly appears to be a bad connection if it sometimes works sometimes doesn't.