[eric_gm]

I just noticed that my driver’s side door pocket is not illuminated. All other 3 are. The rest of the ambient lighting works fine, even the strips in that same door.

Is it like that in all G30s or is there something wrong with mine?

[HerkHealer]

It should be lit up.
Sounds like you have a bad LED strip (common failure).
Several YouTube videos out there on how to replace.

[eric_gm]

The answer I didn’t want to hear. I suspect someone took the door card off at some point as I can see indications that it wasn’t seated properly. Hopefully it’s just something left unplugged but I was hoping to avoid removing the door trim.

[Moh]

You may not need to replace, I have seen vids on youtube where people have just kind of polished the Led tubing

[eric_gm]

Is that a LED strip down there? I haven't checked up close. I know the strips at the top of the door card seem to fade and I've seen the polishing trick, but I thought the door pocket was just a simple LED "bulb". I'll check this weekend.

Also, a quick Google image search shows all G30s with that pocket lit, so yeah, mine has something burned or unplugged. Sigh...

[arkhi]

LEDs are supposed to last and barely burn up, but they can. Try other colors. If the other colors work, then you have a burnt LED bulb and will need to replace. If it doesn't work no matter the color, then it's either just unplugged, or there's a wiring problem, or you need to replace.

If you take it apart, look at the color of the LED module and pick accordingly:
Red
https://www.bmwpartsexchange.com/oem...mp-63319891270

Gray
https://www.bmwpartsexchange.com/oem...mp-63319891269

Diagram (Includes part numbers for the fiber optic)
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=63_1820

[eric_gm]

Thanks for the links.

No colors work. I'll take the door card off this weekend. Fingers crossed it's just an unplugged wire.

[Joe-BMW33]

Pretty sure it's just a diode or "bulb" that lights up the map pocket. Whether it is replaceable or baked into the door card is another story. I bet it's unplugged though as these type of LED's don't fail. The tubes on the dash and doors is a known failure issue and the polishing thing doesn't work for very long and it's like 50/50 on breaking it while trying. BMW should stand by these things.

[eric_gm]

Yeah. The top strips in the large dash trim and front doors are uneven, but I don't care that much about those. If you disable the "dim at night" setting in iDrive they look better, so that's my workaround.

But yeah, it blows my mind that BMW was incapable of nailing something as simple as LEDs and fiber optic tubes which have been around forever.

[eric_gm]

Checked the door pocket this weekend and when in complete darkness I can see a very dim light right where the strip begins (at the back of the pocket). So at least I know it's not unplugged, but it raises a question:

The LED strip is on the inner pocket wall, that is, the side closer to your leg. Even if you remove the door card, how the hell are you supposed to get to the strip to replace it or polish it? Has anyone taken a look at a G30 door card from the back that could tell me if I should even bother trying?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eric_gm

Checked the door pocket this weekend and when in complete darkness I can see a very dim light right where the strip begins (at the back of the pocket). So at least I know it's not unplugged, but it raises a question:

The LED strip is on the inner pocket wall, that is, the side closer to your leg. Even if you remove the door card, how the hell are you supposed to get to the strip to replace it or polish it? Has anyone taken a look at a G30 door card from the back that could tell me if I should even bother trying?

Judging from these pictures, looks like you are going to have to disassemble the door card after you get it out. Looks daunting, look at the back of this sucker, I would punt on it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22589152548...xoCJ3IQAvD_BwE

[eric_gm]

Oh yeah, those are plastic rivets. That never ends up the same way after trying to put it back together. Screw that light then, that's definitely not serviceable:

Here's a closeup (the red plug):



What I can do is replace that LED module/plug. Maybe I'm blaming the strip when the LED is the one that's partially burnt. It seems BMW has made 3 revisions to it since my car's production date, worth a shot and it's only $40.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by eric_gm

Oh yeah, those are plastic rivets. That never ends up the same way after trying to put it back together. Screw that light then, that's definitely not serviceable:

Here's a closeup (the red plug):



What I can do is replace that LED module/plug. Maybe I'm blaming the strip when the LED is the one that's partially burnt. It seems BMW has made 3 revisions to it since my car's production date, worth a shot and it's only $40.

This particular ebay link is $200 for the entire door card. May actually be worth finding one that is your spec? Look for the Lithuania and Poland sellers on eBay, they have a ton of this shit for some reason and you can barter with them. I have had great luck buying from them for both my E39 (actually bought a door card fully intact and perfect for $75 bucks) and for the G30 (climate control panel and a fog light switch). They will work with you and send as many detailed photos as you want. I bet you can score a complete matching door card for $150 bucks. At the very least, you will keep you original intact and available to put back in.

Just a thought if it's important to you. I would, just because it's cheap and something to do without the irreversible risk of fucking up the light/door card.

EDIT: I completely missed the last part under the picture on a $40 solution. Still an option though at some point if you need it.