I don't know what happened, but I figured that maybe a bulb or fuse blew, for the interior light on the driver's side door isn't working.

The area where the window controls are are black intead of the orange color that's there illuminating the button.s

I called an indy BMW mechanic to make an appointment for this coming Wed, and he is talking about he has to call over the world and research this issue.

Is it really that complicated?

I brought the Bentley repair manual for my '05 530i, but couldn't find much on the door side interior lighting.

Any thoughts on what could cause this mishap?

I'm still thinking fuse or light bulb.

The buttons work fine, if I press any button, the correct window goes up and down.

Thx, in advance.

 

Do the buttons still work? I heard the lights on those are LEDs. Maybe it just got disconnected or something. Do a search, there are DIY threads that show how to take the door panel apart so you can get to the controls.

 

Yes, the buttons still work.

 

Here's a DIY for removing the door panel. Hope this helps.

https://5series.net/forums/topic/295...panel-removal/

 

Took it to an indy BMW mechanic today, and the mechanic said all the fuses are good, but doesn't know if it is a bulb or a "switch" problem.

He know has to call a BMW dealer up for advice on this.

Wow, I searched my Bentley manual haven't seen anything in it thus far.

 

There must be a short in that area.

For this afternoon, the lights come on on the panel for the windows, then as I drove home this evening, they were not on again.

Puzzling, I think I'm going to go to local auto electricial shop, and if that doesn't work, then I'll have to take it into the local BMW dealer for repair and hear what they'll say: New windows, new door, Xmas bonus, etc..., that'll be $2,500 please

 

FINALLY got it fixed today.

I took it to an autobody repair shop, asked them to pop the driver's side door panel off, and sure enough there was a disconnected wire from the driver's side door switch.

It took two guys about 1/2 hour, but they soldered and electrical taped the wires together and everything worked just as good as the day the car came off the dealer's lot.

So happy it saved me a trip to the dealer, for I'm sure they would've ordered a NEW driver switch and installed it.

But I knew someting had to be loose; how it came a loose is beyond me.

For it started out of the blue and then once in a while the lights would come back on, and go back out again.

Well that's the end of this mishap. Now I'll wait for something else to pop up in the ole hoopdie in about another 10K miles!!

Happy Holidays!!

 

Glad you got it sorted out and your car has all it's lights working for the holidays!! CHEERS!!!