C's Bimmer

Gents - I'm trying to get the rear housing out that holds the lic plate bulbs, but it won't come out and I'm afraid to use force. The diagram said to insert a screwdriver in the slot and push to the right. Does this mean to insert it and pry it to the left, so it forces the housing to the right? Or just insert the screwdriver and then push the screwdriver to the right? I tried both and nothing happened. Does the black AND clear piece come out or just the clear piece with the housing? Again, I didn't want to use too much force and break anything so I decided to post this instead. For those that have done, this please help. Is force required? Does the whole unit come out?

This is the diagram I used...

alpinewhite

use a dry cloth. i used the screwdriver and kinda scratched the pain :'( . u have to tug it to the side (right) and when it feels loose, pull the piece down. force is necessary here.

bonehead

C
Haven't done this light, but I'm assuming it's similar to the fender signal marker lamps. In which case, just slide the clear portion to the right and pull out the entire housing. NO PRYING should be necessary.

C's Bimmer

I'm afraid I'm going to rip out the little notch where the screwdriver fits in (the little black plastic slice in the middle of the slot and the clear piece? so you're saying not to pry, but to insert and then pull to the right? In terms of scratching, was it the underside that you scratched or the actual trunk were it's visible?

C's Bimmer

I give up for now. I just tried pulling as hard as possible to the right and nothing. It won't even budge. I'm afraid if I use any more force, I'm going to damage the rear. Plus, I've already started chewing up the outside of the housing.

Anyone else have any advice?

POGI

I had problems too at first. I tried using a good size flat head screw driver (something that almost same size as the hole/opening) and just pushed the screw driver to the right and it moved. As soon as it moves to the right you can actually pull the housing out downwards.

Bambi

I did damage the plastic housing a little bit but it's not visible unless you really try to find it. You need to use both hands, one hand with the screwdriver trying to force the housing to the right while another hand try to pull the housing out from the left side. That should work.

Remember to get the appropriate resistors and install them together with the new LED bulbs. Otherwise you'll get an error message from the stupid iDrive.

C's Bimmer

OK. I'll try again tonight, but this is killing me. It's making the install of the AIB's look like a piece of cake.

alpinewhite

here are some videos, how this helps

vid1: http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/hom...nt=MOV00828.flv

the other was tough,my fingers hurted prying it lol

vid2: http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/hom...nt=MOV00829.flv

final product: http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/hom...nt=MOV00830.flv

C's Bimmer

This is great, but how in the hell did you get the housing out by just slipping your nails and fingers underneath? i tried to pry it last night with a screwdriver and applied some force and it wouldn't budge.