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      05-26-2013, 10:12 AM   #1
Hujan
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How To: Remove turn-signal bulbs?

Trying to swap out the incandescent amber turn-signal bulbs with a pair of WeissLicht LEDs. I removed the flap on the wheel arch and located (what I believe to be) the socket for the turn-signals. The problem is that it is stuck like you would not believe. I gave it everything I had and only got them to turn from their 9 o'clock/3 o'clock starting position to maybe 7 o'clock/1 o'clock. I'm thinking I need to get to at least 12 o'clock/6 o'clock to get the bulb out.

They were so stuck, in fact, that the grip tab on the driver's side bulb broke in my hand, so I will likely need to order a replacement (part number?).
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      05-26-2013, 05:13 PM   #2
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I figure you're doing something wrong. I know is should be a simple thing, but it should also be simple to unscrew the bulb. I'll try to take a look and see how it is in my car.
To find replacement parts, go to www.realoem.com and drill down to the part you need.
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      05-26-2013, 05:20 PM   #3
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Wait, do you mean the turn signal on the side of the car by the words "S Drive 35i" under the white plastic piece, or the turn signal in the headlight?
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      05-26-2013, 06:37 PM   #4
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I remember trying to remove these in my wife's 3 series and they were indeed incredibly stiff.
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      05-26-2013, 08:10 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jparnes1 View Post
Wait, do you mean the turn signal on the side of the car by the words "S Drive 35i" under the white plastic piece, or the turn signal in the headlight?
Good question! Sorry for the confusion; I see how that can be misleading. I'm talking about the ones in the headlight.

It's hard to emphasize just how tight that socket feels. The MINI uses a similar through-the-wheel-arch access method, but it is probably a 2 out of 10 on the tightness/stiffness scale. The Z4 is like a strong 9. Excalibur ain't got nothing on these bulbs!
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      06-01-2013, 02:15 PM   #6
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Thought I'd bump this.

jparnes, did you get a chance to try yours yet?
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      06-01-2013, 04:13 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hujan View Post
Thought I'd bump this.

jparnes, did you get a chance to try yours yet?
sorry haven't had a chance. too many chores to do.
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      06-01-2013, 08:01 PM   #8
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Try this video

There's enough similarities that this Bimmian video should help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v...ture=endscreen
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      06-02-2013, 10:37 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by z4z4z4 View Post
There's enough similarities that this Bimmian video should help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v...ture=endscreen
Thanks for posting that. It will be a big help for actually swapping the bulb (assuming I can ever get the socket out!). They definitely make it look easier to remove the socket than it is on mine. I'm thinking I'll need to take the front wheel off to really get in there.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.
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      06-03-2013, 06:38 PM   #10
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You used the clock reference of 9 and 3 to describe the bulb base grip/handle used to manually release the bulb. I noticed in the video that when they demonstrate Removing the bulb that the base only turns to 8 and 2 (using your reference as the initial datum). The turning motion is a small amount to align keyways, then the effort is a Pullng and rocking motion to defeat the double contact blades that the video spends time familiarizing the (over engineered) feature to the user.
Can't wait to hear your reply of success!
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Last edited by z4z4z4; 02-04-2015 at 01:38 AM..
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