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      04-26-2015, 09:57 PM   #1
UnfoundLegend
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LED Reverse Lights Instead of Halogen

Thought I'd post this here even though I have M6, and likely a different bulb.

But, since I've had my car it's been painful looking at someone back up in it with those yellow-ish halogen bulbs that come out (obviously) when in reverse.

I ordered 2 LED lights from eBay after looking at another thread for 5 series, but my service adviser said that the lights I had given him don't even remotely fit the housing of where the halogen bulbs were. They ran me about $30 dollars, so not too much of a loss.

So if those ones work specifically for the M5, then I guess it's different for the M6. If anyone wants my lights, which I'll post the exact type soon, then let me know...that is, if they will even fit any 5 or M for that matter.

Coding is also necessary I believe, which I know how to do. But I hear getting into the module for the tail lights is impossible?? As in even getting the daytime running taillights isn't an option? How could that be? Or am I totally misinformed. For the M5 I coded them out instantly. M6 it's a different story. Should probably post this there, but that section/forum is DEAD.

Thanks for the help guys!
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      04-26-2015, 10:32 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UnfoundLegend View Post
... M6 it's a different story. Should probably post this there, but that section/forum is DEAD...
LOL... No it's not "DEAD" just different people and different tastes
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      04-26-2015, 11:11 PM   #3
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LOL... No it's not "DEAD" just different people and different tastes
Lmao you're one of the only ones I see on there actively.
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      04-26-2015, 11:41 PM   #4
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If I knew the reverse light bulb number I would order it.
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      04-26-2015, 11:48 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LOL_AMG View Post
If I knew the reverse light bulb number I would order it.
Check out this thread:
http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1052624

So after reading that thread, apparently those exact ones will fit and they are the exact same ones I have. Which means the ones for the M6 are different

But his errors he shows in iDrive seem a bit odd.
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      07-13-2015, 12:15 PM   #6
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according to do sylvania bulb guide which is pretty darn accurate nearly for all makes and model, bulb appears to be 921, which is wedge type.. now the question is, are they canbus and will they throw a code.. coding would be best option to tell the car LED bulb is used.. rest of the bulbs on the car are wedges, and none are canbus.. so that only leaves the reverse light as unknown.. i've checked both 14 and 15 M5 and they are showing 921 bulb style.

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      07-13-2015, 01:56 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hybrid_eg
according to do sylvania bulb guide which is pretty darn accurate nearly for all makes and model, bulb appears to be 921, which is wedge type.. now the question is, are they canbus and will they throw a code.. coding would be best option to tell the car LED bulb is used.. rest of the bulbs on the car are wedges, and none are canbus.. so that only leaves the reverse light as unknown.. i've checked both 14 and 15 M5 and they are showing 921 bulb style.

I took the reverse bulb out of my 2015 cause I had bought the wedge type and in my car it is a round type bulb. Not sure the name of it but the wedge def. did not fit. I am still looking for a good non error causing reverse led.
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      07-28-2015, 08:10 PM   #8
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what about reverse bulbs from new x5/6
arent they led's and wouldnt they fit?
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      03-06-2016, 06:40 PM   #9
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I've finally decided to get on the bottom of the LED reverse light issue.. also on bottom are some pics on how to remove the reverse bulbs.. pretty straight forward, make sure you have a small flat head to remove the little screws holding clips as well as clip remover (made a world of difference and work the clip slowly until you have the clip remover tool wedged in fully on both sides before you pop it off. Next week i'll post what it looks like with the LED bulb installed..

Bulb variations:

2010+2013 F10 models have a wedge type bulb T10, 921 etc.

Here is which can bus bulb will work from eBay not to throw light out message, tested by your very own "13M5F10"




2014+ (I tested on '14, my '15 and buddies '16 F10 M5) are all Bayonet prehistoric bulbs, round twist on-off. BAX9S Socket.




How to remove the reverse bulbs.. and what tool to use..





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      03-16-2016, 01:53 PM   #10
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one more update.. finally got the bulbs in.. unfortunately the quality isn't great.. i.e. bought total three pairs (for my self and friends) and one bulb didnt work out of the box when tested with 12v. In addition; you have to shave the terminals of the bulb itself to make them fit.. if done incorrectly you will destroy the BAX9s base and bulb will fall out.. i destroyed one pair in the process.. light output on the other hand is very good.

I did get light out message as when i installed the first pair one of the bulbs was bad, so when i replaced it with a new pair message went away but exclamation mark remains on dash indicating that alert had been saved.. will have to get this cleared likely at dealer..

I'll be trying different brands reverse lights to see which work better so once I find something decent I'll recommend it to all.

Meanwhile see some more pics of the install.. TIP: Pliers work best when removing the black grommets holding the trunk lid backing.. unscrew the plastic pin and pull straight down with pliers..





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      03-17-2016, 06:59 AM   #11
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Good job bro!

I have a 13 and picked up the wedge. 4K miles so far and no codes. Didn't have to code them out. Great product so far
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      03-17-2016, 11:36 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 13M5F10 View Post
Good job bro!

I have a 13 and picked up the wedge. 4K miles so far and no codes. Didn't have to code them out. Great product so far
can you please post a link to exact bulbs you are using?

thanks
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      03-17-2016, 02:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mstmng
Quote:
Originally Posted by 13M5F10 View Post
Good job bro!

I have a 13 and picked up the wedge. 4K miles so far and no codes. Didn't have to code them out. Great product so far
can you please post a link to exact bulbs you are using?

thanks
Same one listed in his write up.

This is a wedge type for 2013. 2014 and up need to go with the traditional bayonet type.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-Series...item2a50b48667
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      03-18-2016, 05:01 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hybrid_eg View Post
one more update.. finally got the bulbs in.. unfortunately the quality isn't great.. i.e. bought total three pairs (for my self and friends) and one bulb didnt work out of the box when tested with 12v. In addition; you have to shave the terminals of the bulb itself to make them fit.. if done incorrectly you will destroy the BAX9s base and bulb will fall out.. i destroyed one pair in the process.. light output on the other hand is very good.

I did get light out message as when i installed the first pair one of the bulbs was bad, so when i replaced it with a new pair message went away but exclamation mark remains on dash indicating that alert had been saved.. will have to get this cleared likely at dealer..

I'll be trying different brands reverse lights to see which work better so once I find something decent I'll recommend it to all.

Meanwhile see some more pics of the install.. TIP: Pliers work best when removing the black grommets holding the trunk lid backing.. unscrew the plastic pin and pull straight down with pliers..
Awesome work. I will wait till you find one which is good quality and plug and play. Don't want to shave the base. Thanks for pushing on this. I also hate the halogen reverse bulbs.
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      03-18-2016, 06:10 PM   #15
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hybrid_eg -

Thanks for taking the time to take pictures and sharing with us all the information!
The photos made me realize I didn't choose the correct LED housing. The housing looks very similar to the one of the interior lights, maybe a bit larger.

When I get the chance I'll take a look myself and will update here
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      03-19-2016, 12:50 PM   #16
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guys here are some pics of finished product, as mentioned for '14-16 guys its bayonet type and you have to shave down the terminals to make them fit.. but the output is awesome!! nice white color and since bulb has projector type finish it doesn't scatter the light all over the place so it looks very much factory while of course LED white light.. i love it.. looks even better than OEM LED on my escalade!

downside is install as i mentioned which isn't really a big deal now that you guys know the landmines involved and coding should also be done so that constant 12V is sent to the reverse lights.. many Euro cars run variable voltage for halogen bulbs.. this will eliminate small flicker when lights are not on.. since LED need very little to power up even smallest amount of current can make them flicker..

i'll be trying a different pair of bayonets i got on my friends 16 this weekend and post the outcome.. enjoy!!

by now you guys noticed i have a major LED fetish, lol..


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      03-19-2016, 04:37 PM   #17
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I'd prefer a coding free LED type. Last time I took the car in for service they flashed software and wiped out My coding. I just can't be bothered to re code it.
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      03-21-2016, 02:38 PM   #18
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Some more updates... i found a great replacement that is easier to install.. requires very gentle shaving of the terminals.. i installed on my friends 2016 which is already coded and works like a charm.. since mine is not coded i still get that little flicker before i actually go into reverse so we will see if that goes away once its coded.. i'm going to order a pair of these anyways as replacements..

Here is a link and pictures of the install.. last pics are comparison of his to mine.. hard to take pics of LED and capture the exact color with iphone.. but blows factory crap out of water!!

These are only $19.95 versus pair in mine that's nearly $30!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201479860427...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT








Last edited by hybrid_eg; 03-21-2016 at 02:45 PM..
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      03-28-2016, 11:14 AM   #19
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last update..

I also changed mine out to these and seem to work great!! They will require coding and but now they are prefect.. no flicker or rear lamp out code.. here is a quick video as well of finished product.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201479860427...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

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