Help on Tail Light Bulb Replacement??

[Pablito1702]

One of my rear tail light bulbs failed (2009 135i Sport with xenons). All the other bulbs (turn signal, back-up, brake) function. My tail light seals were replaced under the SIB 630310 two years ago. I read a number of posts regading tail light failures and they all seem to be about replacing the entire unit or upgrading to newer LCI style units.

I assume I can just replace the bulb (#4), but not sure if there are any other parts that might have failed (socket #7?) due to the corrosion issue that caused the SIB for the seal replacement.

Can anybody school me on what to order? I have attached the parts diagram. Also when the parts suppliers specify right or left, what is driver side versus passenger side?

Lastly, besides aethetics, what are there other reasons to do a full LCI replacement? The cost ($290) seems reasonable if there are long term benefits.

Thanks!

[Dackelone]

So... just to be clear... ylur led tail lights (one side) is not working. Correct?


If so... the only fix is a new tailight housing. Fkr the led fubes there is no replaceable bulb.

Check your old repair invoice... any time bmw replaces a pareven while under warranty) that part is co ered for 24 months with no mileage limit.

[Pablito1702]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

So... just to be clear... ylur led tail lights (one side) is not working. Correct?


If so... the only fix is a new tailight housing. Fkr the led fubes there is no replaceable bulb.

Check your old repair invoice... any time bmw replaces a pareven while under warranty) that part is co ered for 24 months with no mileage limit.

That is correct only one side is out and only the tail light function doesn't work. My invoice was for the SIB, which was only for seal replacement, not replacement of the entire light housing, so will BMW still replace the entire unit? Thanks David, I will certainly give it a shot since it has been less than 2years since the repair.

[Dackelone]

IF your pre LCI tail lights were made before 12/2010, the LED tubes WILL FAIL. Not if but WILL. BMW came out with a new and improved LED tube design where the tubes get soldered to the circuit board. If you open the trunk... you can see a circular stamp showing the build date of the tail light lens.

I do not know IF BMW will replace the light lens out of warranty. You should ask AND post the answer in this thread.

[dan_brooks]

Blacklines.

[lainmike0710]

I realize this post is old but if anyone is interested in replying, could you please explain to me what the difference is between the LCI and pre-LCI tail lights??? I own a 2010 128 but the production date of the car is 10/09...the whole LCI/non-LCI is confusing me...I have not had ANY issues with my LED's and the car is now 5 years old but the inner bulb is currently burnt out....the diagram is extremely confusing because according to it, the inner bulb is different from the outer bulb and is apparently the number 5 on diagram but the only thing that comes up on Tischer's site is the number 4 bulb????? Any help would be appreciated.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by lainmike0710

I realize this post is old but if anyone is interested in replying, could you please explain to me what the difference is between the LCI and pre-LCI tail lights??? I own a 2010 128 but the production date of the car is 10/09...the whole LCI/non-LCI is confusing me...I have not had ANY issues with my LED's and the car is now 5 years old but the inner bulb is currently burnt out....the diagram is extremely confusing because according to it, the inner bulb is different from the outer bulb and is apparently the number 5 on diagram but the only thing that comes up on Tischer's site is the number 4 bulb????? Any help would be appreciated.

The trunk liner is really easy to pull back, just remove the plastic retention 'screws' - pretty sure there is a DIY here. Pull the assembly (3 bolts) and take a look inside.

As for LCI..

See here, and below: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466003

LCI - Left (Black lines - note darker color, especially the reverse lens). Pre LCI - Right

[Ultimateone]

LCI Blacklines /\

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by lainmike0710

I realize this post is old but if anyone is interested in replying, could you please explain to me what the difference is between the LCI and pre-LCI tail lights??? I own a 2010 128 but the production date of the car is 10/09...the whole LCI/non-LCI is confusing me...I have not had ANY issues with my LED's and the car is now 5 years old but the inner bulb is currently burnt out....the diagram is extremely confusing because according to it, the inner bulb is different from the outer bulb and is apparently the number 5 on diagram but the only thing that comes up on Tischer's site is the number 4 bulb????? Any help would be appreciated.

Also see here: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...3#post17507833

[lainmike0710]

That link is to my post regarding the issue lol but yes you have all pretty much cleared it up.....except compatibility..will a 128 with production 10/09 allow for LCIs? Tischers site says retrofit at your own risk. Also, are black line LCIs available in the US?

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by lainmike0710

That link is to my post regarding the issue lol but yes you have all pretty much cleared it up.....except compatibility..will a 128 with production 10/09 allow for LCIs? Tischers site says retrofit at your own risk. Also, are black line LCIs available in the US?

Yes and yes. Get black lines with PN ending in 282. Check eBay or Schmeidmann (sp?). I got mine from them. Get the xenon spec lights regardless of your headlights, the halogen black lines don't have LEDs for the light bars

[GODMODE]

if you replace the bulb and the led bar for the night running lights is out, then the led chip inside the tail light itself is definitely burned out. you'll need to replace the entire tail light to fix the issue. no other way around it really since they put it inside the housing. i would just order LCIs at this point or find a cheap replacement online. but make sure 100% that you ask the seller to verify that the LED is working on them. this issue is soooo wide spread that a lot of the times you'll end up with another broken tail light. it sucks and is more costly than it should be buying a bulb but i had this happen to me a few times... good luck and pm me if you have any questions

[Philipangoo]

Everyone who has experienced issues with this should really file a complaint with the NHTSA. This just happened to my wife's 2011 128i (was built in 2010). Her car had 30,000 miles on it when this happened, which is really early for LED lights to be going out.

Go here:

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml

you will need your vehicle VIN number. Then enter the issue as Brakes => Electrical => Lighting.

It is very easy and takes a few seconds. If you have already had your tail lights replaced during warranty I ask that you also make a report. The more frequencies that the NHTSA knows about, the higher likelihood they will investigate the matter, and then they will require BMW to show their records which it sounds like they have tons of tail light replacements. On one thread I saw a guy had both sides replaced in a matter of months.

I owned a C63 AMG and the w204 were notorious for the tail light ground not being sufficient for the lights, and would end up melting the board and eventually the housing. We rallied up alot of owners on mbworld.org and started making reports and it resulted in a investigation then a full recall.

[lainmike0710]

Originally Posted by Philipangoo

Everyone who has experienced issues with this should really file a complaint with the NHTSA. This just happened to my wife's 2011 128i (was built in 2010). Her car had 30,000 miles on it when this happened, which is really early for LED lights to be going out.

Go here:

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://<a href="https://www-odi.nhts...ndex.xhtml</a>

you will need your vehicle VIN number. Then enter the issue as Brakes => Electrical => Lighting.

It is very easy and takes a few seconds. If you have already had your tail lights replaced during warranty I ask that you also make a report. The more frequencies that the NHTSA knows about, the higher likelihood they will investigate the matter, and then they will require BMW to show their records which it sounds like they have tons of tail light replacements. On one thread I saw a guy had both sides replaced in a matter of months.

I owned a C63 AMG and the w204 were notorious for the tail light ground not being sufficient for the lights, and would end up melting the board and eventually the housing. We rallied up alot of owners on mbworld.org and started making reports and it resulted in a investigation then a full recall.

I must be extremely lucky thus far...my 2010 128's LEDs are still going strong and it was manufactured 09/09. I have black lines on order and am ready for the failure but we're looking at 5+ years and still working well...very fortunate I guess.