318ti Club Sport fog light

[woody underwood]

How do I replace the bulb? From the outside or from behind? (The Club Sport has the M3 front end/airdam on it) Seems like I tried this years ago and ended up breaking the whole housing and had to replace it, but the dealer said most of their guys do the same thing so I felt better!

[SARAFIL]

How do I replace the bulb? From the outside or from behind? (The Club Sport has the M3 front end/airdam on it) Seems like I tried this years ago and ended up breaking the whole housing and had to replace it, but the dealer said most of their guys do the same thing so I felt better!

Haven't had to do one on my car, but I'm pretty sure you get at it from behind the light.

I'm sure someone here will let you know. If not, I can take a better look at it tomorrow and get an answer from one of our techs.

[woody underwood]

Haven't had to do one on my car, but I'm pretty sure you get at it from behind the light.

I'm sure someone here will let you know. If not, I can take a better look at it tomorrow and get an answer from one of our techs.

Thanks Fillip. The deal was I hit truck tire crap and knocked the whole fog light housing out about five years ago. While trying to put that back in and replace the bulb I ended up breaking the whole housing...took it to the dealer and they broke a new one too...I just can't remember if you can get to it from the underneath/rear or not. Seems like you have to take a plate off, 3 screws, to get to it....and then to the bulb socket. Remember, this is like an M3 and thanks!

[LMC]

The replacement of an E36 fog light is one of those things which is difficult to explain. But once you do it, it's a piece of cake. It's been some years since I did it and I no longer own an E36, but let me give it a shot since no E36 owner has stepped up yet...

It may be that you've posted this in the wrong area, i.e., did you want BMW of North America corporate headquarters to advise you on this?

The fog light is secured by a fixed clip on the outside (outboard side) and then a clever movable clip assembly on the inside (inboard side.) To install or remove it, therefore, the light is rotated out.

You will see a small hole inboard of the light. That hold leads to the clip. You must insert a thin rod (Phillips screwdriver serves well) into the hold and find the spot to push on to release the light from the clip. It's difficult to see what you're doing but just probe around in there --if memory serves, it's about 1-2 inches in. When you get it, push and the inner side of the fog light will pop out. You're there! Access to the bulb is from the rear of the housing and should be straightforward.

Larry
ex-E36 325is and M3 owner

[woody underwood]

The replacement of an E36 fog light is one of those things which is difficult to explain. But once you do it, it's a piece of cake. It's been some years since I did it and I no longer own an E36, but let me give it a shot since no E36 owner has stepped up yet...

It may be that you've posted this in the wrong area, i.e., did you want BMW of North America corporate headquarters to advise you on this?

The fog light is secured by a fixed clip on the outside (outboard side) and then a clever movable clip assembly on the inside (inboard side.) To install or remove it, therefore, the light is rotated out.

You will see a small hole inboard of the light. That hold leads to the clip. You must insert a thin rod (Phillips screwdriver serves well) into the hold and find the spot to push on to release the light from the clip. It's difficult to see what you're doing but just probe around in there --if memory serves, it's about 1-2 inches in. When you get it, push and the inner side of the fog light will pop out. You're there! Access to the bulb is from the rear of the housing and should be straightforward.

Larry
ex-E36 325is and M3 owner
Yes, thats the way to do it...I remember now. Kinda tricky though because you can break the clip easily and then you get to buy a whole new housing! NA probably wouldn't have had a clue about this.

[woody underwood]

Actually, the "little hole" is outboard/top of the brake air duct on E36 M3/ti sport/Club Sport...bought the bulb and my SA had a mechanic put it in for free and he had trouble getting it to pop open.