Light bulb above the license plate needs replacement

I have a 2001 540I.

How do I change the bulbs that illuminate my license plate on the rear of my vehicle?
I cant see anywhere were I would be able to take the small plastic cover off to get access to the bulb.

Is the cover supposed to just pop off?
Is there a special tool needed to get the small cover off?
What kind of bulb is it?

Any help on how to get to the bulb and then replace it would be great.
Thanks

Slide it to the left or the right and pull down.

It tells you in the manual. . .

Go to Sylvania's website and get the part number.

Both sides slide to right to open the flap. Use a flat screwdriver or key in the slot.

its amazing that when you find that lil book in your glove compartment, it tells you how to change all the bulbs in your car

The manual will tell you the wrong direction, at least mine did.

I think the manual says to the left but its actually to the right. I almost broke mine until I just tried it the other way and it popped right off, I spend like 15 mins trying to figure it out.

the secret is WD40 .. spray it on for two minutes .. then place a flat headscrew driver and push towards the right .. how do I know ... cause I just did my plate bulbs ...

Hmmm, the page from the manual below says to push it to the right. And if the lamp assembly seems to be stuck...LUBRICATE, LUBRICATE, LUBRICATE (like Kaptom540 suggested). The license plate light assembly can get stuck from the cycle of washing/dust/dirt/grime/rain. Because the bulb assembly is at the top, even the cleanest of e39s can have dirt turn into a pseudo cement and make it difficult to remove.

The owners manual is the first step toward enlightenment

Originally Posted by rrcompton

The manual will tell you the wrong direction, at least mine did.

I think the manual says to the left but its actually to the right. I almost broke mine until I just tried it the other way and it popped right off, I spend like 15 mins trying to figure it out.

+1! Same exact thing...I struggled for 10 minutes until I broke mine, and glued it back together. Friggen Germans, and their supposed perfection! Hmmph... They should fix that damn manual or have included an update.

Have you looked at using LED replacement bulbs? I just ordered some from a web sight called superbrightled.com.

we have all your lighting needs, every bulb for every car, not just bmw

Originally Posted by AlohaMark

Have you looked at using LED replacement bulbs? I just ordered some from a web sight called superbrightled.com.

take at look at these LEDs

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...&highlight=led

Ive used superbright leds for years and they have great quality LEDs.

Im still on my same pair of license plate bulbs in my MDX from over 2 years ago.

Originally Posted by QSilver7

Hmmm, the page from the manual below says to push it to the right.

In my manual it says press to the left.


Anyway moral of the story is, its to the right NOT the left.

Originally Posted by rrcompton

In my manual it says press to the left.


Anyway moral of the story is, its to the right NOT the left.

Thanks, you beat me to it...I was going to scan the page from my 2001 manual!

^^^

haha

In response to Brandon540- Ha. Thanks. Wouldnt have asked if I had the manual...

Originally Posted by fireman5000

In response to Brandon540- Ha. Thanks. Wouldnt have asked if I had the manual...

http://www.bmwtips.com/OwnersManuals/manuals.htm

I consider the license plate the government's property ... so I've been waiting for THEM to replace the bulb in my Bimmer!



Bluebee

I found you can push to the right all day and you wont get it. Use lube and pry gently under the left had side lip.

E-92 Lighting..are you a supporting vendor? I guess not which means you know better. You will just get this thread locked. Please consider beconing one.

Bill

Originally Posted by bluebee

I consider the license plate the government's property ... so I've been waiting for THEM to replace the bulb in my Bimmer!



Bluebee

lol.....good one.

Originally Posted by bluebee

I consider the license plate the government's property ... so I've been waiting for THEM to replace the bulb in my Bimmer!



Bluebee

Hey Bluebee...you really should open up the one that is not illuminated. The bulb may not even be blown...it could be corrosion on the brass or metal parts.

If it's only corrosion...just take a screw driver or sand paper and scape off all the green build up and see if that fixes the problem.

I am finally going to replace my buggered up and reglued license plate light next week....I was ordering an M5 rear stabilizer bar from Tischer BMW, and figured I should replace that dicked up part!

Originally Posted by AlohaMark

Have you looked at using LED replacement bulbs? I just ordered some from a web sight called superbrightled.com.

UPDATE:

Just installed the LED bulbs I got from superbrightled.com in the license plate area. I ordered these

Product: 3610-x4 LED Festoon bulb $ 1.89 (each)
Options: Cool White 3610-CW4 0.95

and I got the error message for check license plate bulb!! They look nice but I don't think I can deal with the error message.

Originally Posted by AlohaMark

UPDATE:

Just installed the LED bulbs I got from superbrightled.com in the license plate area. I ordered these

Product: 3610-x4 LED Festoon bulb $ 1.89 (each)
Options: Cool White 3610-CW4 0.95

and I got the error message for check license plate bulb!! They look nice but I don't think I can deal with the error message.

To cancel the error message for the LED light, buy a pair of 1 watt/100 ohm resistors (this worked for me, but I took an educated guess; other sizes may get less hot) and 4 tiny alligator clips. This works great, and no error messages. I've checked and the resistors do get very hot, but over a year and they work fine. Here's the pic of the connections:

Originally Posted by AlohaMark

UPDATE:

Just installed the LED bulbs I got from superbrightled.com in the license plate area. I ordered these

Product: 3610-x4 LED Festoon bulb $ 1.89 (each)
Options: Cool White 3610-CW4 0.95

and I got the error message for check license plate bulb!! They look nice but I don't think I can deal with the error message.

There is a good write up by Bill another forum member .. check it out ..

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...highlight=leds

wow those are cheap compared to what I had paid for my SMD LED lic plate bulbs .. but I paid for no error message for flickering ..