2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
 

2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Headlight bulb replacement
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-31-2017, 11:32 AM   #1
Stocky Balboa
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: 2014 535i Luxury
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Headlight bulb replacement

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, please excuse any mistakes. Still learning the forum.

Anyhow,

I have a '14 535i luxury (w/ hids, led drl , low beams move in slow turns ) I was curious about replacing the HID bulbs. I looked up on youtube etc and found videos. The info I found refers to a "door" or access inside the wheel well with a twist open cover.

NOW the issue-

I have the access door but i don't have a twist cover but rather a cover secured with screws that can't be reached thru the access panel.

1) Is there a way to remove the headlight assembly? or do I need to remove the whole bumper?

2) If the bumper needs removing, any links or info on how that's done?

Thank you.

-James
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2017, 01:46 PM   #2
Stocky Balboa
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: 2014 535i Luxury
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Well Alrighty then...
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2017, 08:11 PM   #3
corys530
Private
corys530's Avatar
20
Rep
80
Posts

Drives: 2012 535i
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: so cal

iTrader: (0)

__________________
2001 530i
2004 330i
2006 X5 4.4 the beast
2014 328i
2012 535i
Appreciate 1
      09-05-2017, 04:40 PM   #4
Stocky Balboa
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: 2014 535i Luxury
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Thank you but I have a different headlight setup. I don't have the twist off cap as noted in the video. I have a a cover with 4 screws. Appreciate the try tho.
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2017, 07:16 AM   #5
corys530
Private
corys530's Avatar
20
Rep
80
Posts

Drives: 2012 535i
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: so cal

iTrader: (0)

Cool

So you have the square access door open and inside there is another square door with four screws and the two inside ones are covered up by the fender inner panel?
Doesnt sound like BMW engineering, was this car a rebuild or salvage title car?

Those germans over engineer everything, almost

are you sure they arent just pushfasteners, did you try a little screwdriver pry up or pin removal tool.......its only a plastic door, remove the screws you can and you should be able to pry up a corner with something to get it open and snap it back in........bumper removal is a pita for a bulb
ive replaced bulbs in all my cars, its always tricky the first time but only because it was the first

Just trying to help
__________________
2001 530i
2004 330i
2006 X5 4.4 the beast
2014 328i
2012 535i
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2017, 09:09 AM   #6
mrashton
Private First Class
45
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: 2017 G32 6GT; 2014 F45 218i
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by corys530 View Post
So you have the square access door open and inside there is another square door with four screws and the two inside ones are covered up by the fender inner panel?
Doesnt sound like BMW engineering, was this car a rebuild or salvage title car?

Those germans over engineer everything, almost

are you sure they arent just pushfasteners, did you try a little screwdriver pry up or pin removal tool.......its only a plastic door, remove the screws you can and you should be able to pry up a corner with something to get it open and snap it back in........bumper removal is a pita for a bulb
ive replaced bulbs in all my cars, its always tricky the first time but only because it was the first

Just trying to help
The video shows a halogen bulb being extracted so the car either has Halogen headlights or the person is just removing the cornering light bulb if he has adaptive xenons. In ISTA, BMW state you need to remove the headlight to replace the HID bulb.
Appreciate 1
      09-07-2017, 09:37 PM   #7
DonJkZ
New Member
10
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 520d
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: England

iTrader: (0)

I changed my xenon bulbs similar to that video and with the help of luigimaster24 on this thread:

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...&highlight=hid
Appreciate 1
      09-09-2017, 11:34 PM   #8
5soko
Brigadier General
5soko's Avatar
332
Rep
4,632
Posts

Drives: M5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (4)

You are looking for a LCI HID bulb change... i havent come across anything on the web myself, im looking to change out my headlight bulb aswell soon.
__________________
Current: E63S AMG 4matic RENNtech || M5 Evolve..Eventuri || F10 LCI 535i MHD
Appreciate 1
      09-11-2017, 12:52 PM   #9
Stocky Balboa
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: 2014 535i Luxury
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Yes that's it. Thank you. I've searched and searched with no luck too. I cant see how it would be done without removing the front bumper. I might just have to try it here soon.
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2017, 12:54 PM   #10
Stocky Balboa
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: 2014 535i Luxury
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrashton View Post
The video shows a halogen bulb being extracted so the car either has Halogen headlights or the person is just removing the cornering light bulb if he has adaptive xenons. In ISTA, BMW state you need to remove the headlight to replace the HID bulb.
Exactly. HID is a pain it appears.
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2017, 12:58 PM   #11
Stocky Balboa
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: 2014 535i Luxury
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by corys530 View Post
So you have the square access door open and inside there is another square door with four screws and the two inside ones are covered up by the fender inner panel?
Doesnt sound like BMW engineering, was this car a rebuild or salvage title car?

Those germans over engineer everything, almost

are you sure they arent just pushfasteners, did you try a little screwdriver pry up or pin removal tool.......its only a plastic door, remove the screws you can and you should be able to pry up a corner with something to get it open and snap it back in........bumper removal is a pita for a bulb
ive replaced bulbs in all my cars, its always tricky the first time but only because it was the first

Just trying to help
Thanks for the help. Being new to BMW and not posting a pic, I'm sure ive made it confusing. Apparently LCI with Hid bulbs are not replaceable from the inner fender access panel. Lucky me I will figure out how to post a picture of what I see , so hopefully it can help others.
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2017, 01:05 PM   #12
Stocky Balboa
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
11
Posts

Drives: 2014 535i Luxury
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJkZ View Post
I changed my xenon bulbs similar to that video and with the help of luigimaster24 on this thread:

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...&highlight=hid
Thank you but I'm in the same spot as the guy who posted last on this thread. LCI HID has a different cover its secured with torx screws.
Appreciate 0
      09-12-2017, 07:33 AM   #13
5soko
Brigadier General
5soko's Avatar
332
Rep
4,632
Posts

Drives: M5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (4)

Probably would be best to remove the headlight to change the bulb out, usually on bmw's, actually headlight removal is usually 4 screws and one plug.. i use to do the same on my E60 for the headlight bulb change
__________________
Current: E63S AMG 4matic RENNtech || M5 Evolve..Eventuri || F10 LCI 535i MHD
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2017, 09:25 AM   #14
sachaja
Private
16
Rep
69
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

I even pulled the plastic inner fender well but still couldn't access all 4 torx screws. Even if I were to remove them in not sure I would be able to reinstall them once I replaced the bulb.

I was finally able to replace the d1s bulbs on my 2014 LCI 535. It was a PITA but I removed the plastic inner fender, to reveal the back of the headlight assembly. I then removed the plastic side cover in the engine bay , held in by a bunch of "push pins" to access the top of the headlight assembly . There are a total of 5 T-30 screws that hold the headlight assembly in place . 3 up top and 2 accessed from underneath via the wheel well. I then had to loosen the
Msport front bumper ( not remove it ) . 5 screws underneath , ~4 screws up top and 2 in the fender well which attach the fender to the bumper . By doing this I was able to move the headlight assembly far enough forward to access all 4 T-20 screws of the plastic cover in the back of the headlight . Once the back cover is off you can twist (1/4 turn) counterclockwise the D1s bulb out and disconnect the electrical connector. Take note of the position of the electrical connector on the back of the bulb before you remove it in that it needs to be in the same position when you install the new bulb. The D1s bulb has a plastic retainer on it that must be removed and installed on the new bulb. Install the new bulb , it will make a definitive click once it is in place . Make sure the bulb lights before you reassembly everything. It took about 2 1/2 hours for the first side and somewhat less to do the second .

Last edited by sachaja; 12-25-2018 at 10:30 AM.. Reason: D1s Installation update
Appreciate 0
      01-15-2020, 01:10 PM   #15
Angermeier
Registered
Angermeier's Avatar
3
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: 2005 Porsche 911
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Milwaukee, WI

iTrader: (0)

New How-to Video for F10 Headlight Replacement

We just uploaded a new how-to video for changing the F10 headlights. Not the easiest vehicle, but certainly doable - hope it is helpful: https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2...ghts/headlight
Appreciate 2
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:15 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST