Deutsch
EnglishOwner service procedures -> Lamps and bulbs for your BMW 5 Series 1995-2003
Lamps and bulbs
157n
The lamps and bulbs are essential fac-
tors contributing to the safety of your
vehicle. Observe the following instruc-
tions during bulb replacement carefully.
If you are not familiar with any of the
procedures, consult your BMW center.
Xenon lamps
The service life of these bulbs is very
long and the probability of a failure is
very low, provided that they are not
switched on and off an unusual number
of times. If one of these bulbs should
nevertheless fail, it is possible to con-
tinue driving with great caution using
the fog lamps, provided traffic laws in
your area do not prohibit this.
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn in to the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean
cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-
rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic
base.<
Because of the extremely high
voltages involved, any work on the
Xenon lighting system should be
carried out by technically-qualified
personnel only. Otherwise, there is a
risk of fatal injury.<
Parking lamp
10 watt bulb
The bulb holder and reflector are a
single unit and are both changed
at the same time.<
A replacement bulb set is available from
your BMW center.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
> Do not wipe dry (this causes
scratches). Never use abrasives or
strong solvents to clean the covers.
> Remove dirt and contamination (such
as insects) by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with
ample water.
Whenever working on the electri-
cal system, switch off the electri-
cal accessory you are working on or
disconnect the cable from the negative
terminal of the battery. Failure to do this
could result in short circuits.
1 Turn the bulb holder with reflector to
the left and remove.
2 Disconnect the plug.
3 Plug the new bulb holder into the plug
connector. Be sure that it is securely
engaged.
To prevent injuries and damage,
comply with any instructions provided
by the bulb manufacturer.<
4 Insert the reflector with bulb holder
and turn to the right as far as possible.
> Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never
use a scraper.<
158nLamps and bulbs
Turn signal indicator/Side lamps
(side marker lamps), front
Side turn signals*
Front fog lamps
5 watt bulb
HB4, 51 watt bulb
Dual-filament bulb, 21 watts
1 Use finger pressure against the rear
end of the lens (arrow) to press it
forward for removal.
The bulb is pressurized. There-
1 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove it.
2 Remove and replace the bulb.
fore, wear safety glasses and pro-
tective gloves. Failure to comply with
this precaution could lead to injury if the
bulb is accidentally damaged during
replacement.<
1 Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.
1 Pull the cover panel next to the fog
lamp forward to remove.
2 Loosen the screw (arrow) and swing
the lamp assembly out.
3 Release the spring on the back of the
lamp and turn the cover to the left.
4 Release the clamp, remove the
contact base and replace the bulb.
Lamps and bulbs
159n
Tail lamp assembly
Center (high-mount) brake lamp*
1 Use the upper handle to fold down
the side panel in the luggage com-
partment.
Rear lamp/side marker lamps: LEDs
Remaining bulbs: 21 watts
21 watt bulb
1 Open the luggage compartment lid.
2 Unclip the cover panel (on the under-
side of the package tray) with a
screwdriver (arrow).
2 Turn the corresponding bulb holder
to the left (arrow) and remove it.
3 Press the defective bulb gently and
turn it to the left. Remove the bulb
and replace it.
1 Turn signal indicator
2 Rear lamp/side marker lamps
3 Backup lamp
yellow
red
white
red
3 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove.
4 Brake lamp
4 Insert the bulb holder and turn to the
right as far as possible.
4 Apply gentle pressure to the bulb
while turning it to the left to remove.
5 Reflector
red
Please contact your BMW center
if there is a defect in the rear
lamp/side marker lamp assembly.<
160nLamps and bulbs
Rear
Interior lamps
Front
Interior lamp (10 watt bulb) with reading
lamp (5 watt bulb)
Interior lamp (10 watt bulb) with
reading lamps (10 watt bulbs)
1 Use a screwdriver in the upper
recesses to pry the lamp out.
2 Interior lamp: push back the tab on
the reflector and replace the bulb.
3 Reading lamp: gently press against
the lamp while turning it to the left to
remove it.
1 Interior lamp: press the lamp out to
the side with a screwdriver and re-
move the lens. Pull the bulb from the
contact tabs.
2 Reading lamp: gently press against
the lamp while turning it to the left to
remove it.
Indirect lighting
1 watt bulb
License plate lamps
5 watt bulb
1 Unclip the lamp holder.
2 Remove the bulb.
1 Insert a screwdriver into the slot and
press to the left (arrow); this disen-
gages the lamp.
2 Remove the lamp and replace the
bulb.
Lamps and bulbs
161n
Footwell lamps
Luggage compartment lamps
5 watt bulb
Lamp on the underside of the rear
package tray: 10 watt halogen lamp.
1 Use a screwdriver to press the lens
out to the side.
2 Replace the bulb.
Lamp in luggage compartment lid:
10 watt bulb.
1 Apply a screwdriver in the recess to
pry the lamp out.
Glove compartment lamp
5 watt bulb
2 Remove the reflector.
3 Replace the bulb.
1 Apply a screwdriver in the recess to
pry the lamp out.
2 Remove the reflector.
3 Replace the bulb.
