[DaveBSC]

Just noticed this driving my new (to me) '19 540i at night for the first time. Both front doors and the passenger dash LEDs seem to be not working properly. It's not that they're completely out - all the lights are on, it's just that it looks like only half of them are working, like a string of Christmas lights were half the bulbs are burnt out but the others still work.

Any suggestions?

[paquet]

2 things come to mind:

Is 'dimmed for night driving' enabled in the idrive internal lighting?

If that's not enabled, then it's likely LED failure - I've had that happen - quick/simple replacement

[DaveBSC]

Originally Posted by paquet

2 things come to mind:

Is 'dimmed for night driving' enabled in the idrive internal lighting?

If that's not enabled, then it's likely LED failure - I've had that happen - quick/simple replacement

Dimmed for night driving is turned off. The end of the light tube on the passenger side dashboard looks like it's burned out entirely. Reading another thread here, that seems to be a fairly common problem.

How did you get yours fixed?

[paquet]

Mine was during the warranty period, but it was something I had to tell the service advisor (they hadn't figured it out during prior service appointments) and I thought it was supposed to be that way because both ends were off.

[wakkad]

Mine bought 2 months ago, It's well known to have ambient light dimmed after 4 years +, and it's not the light it's the acrylic transparency after long years in the sun

[DaveBSC]

Originally Posted by wakkad

Mine bought 2 months ago, It's well known to have ambient light dimmed after 4 years +, and it's not the light it's the acrylic transparency after long years in the sun

Interesting, that would at least explain why the rear doors aren't affected. They have a pretty dark window tint, much darker than the front doors. Less light coming in means less UV exposure.

[DaveBSC]

Talked to one of the local German car repair shops here, they recommended replacing the trim pieces outright, rather than trying to pull off the LED light tubes and clean them.

The dash piece runs about $600, and each front door is around $300. Not too outrageous. I want to have a Bimmertech MMI unit installed behind the radio for Android Auto, so since the dash piece has to come off to do that install anyway, I figure I'll have the shop swap in the replacement piece while it's there.

[JSKS76]

It's a light bar, one strip across. After a while the plastic oxidizes and needs to be polished. There are a few Youtube videos out there outlining how to do this.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by JSKS76

It's a light bar, one strip across. After a while the plastic oxidizes and needs to be polished. There are a few YouTube videos out there outlining how to do this.

That this guy does all his work with one arm (and very little help) is quite impressive! It may be the angle, but it looks like the lower light has some fading at the end.

[JSKS76]

Yeah. He is quite impressive. I didn't even know he was working with one arm until months later. He inspires me.