G30 headlight switch replacement “How To”

Mik3ymomo · 04-19-2023, 05:24 PM

As many of you know there is a service bulletin for the headlight switch. After taking it to my local dealer and telling them what it was they charged me $277 to diagnose it and then wanted another $770 to replace it.

I am not new to working on cars so I decided to do it myself and took photos so I can provide instructions to do this yourself in 5 mins with simple tools.

If your headlight switch looks like this then you are in the right place. If your lights turn on and off during the day then this is your problem and the part is only $165 from Rock Auto.

I used a nylon pry tool to remove the side trim and it exposes one screw that you can remove or move out of the way the vent above the headlight switch.

The switch will come right out with only the plug attached to the back. It unplugs by just pulling on the plug.

Now plug in the new switch and reverse the process. I slightly pulled back the weatherstripping on the door to work the side panel back in.

You could probably reach your hand in behind the light switch without removing the vent but it’s just one screw and it’s a T7 Torx size. If you dont have Torx just reach your hand in the hole and push out the light switch from behind after removing the side panel.

Mik3ymomo · 04-19-2023, 05:26 PM

Some more photos for you guys.

AwesomeM3 · 04-19-2023, 05:45 PM

Nice work Mike!

seis1 · 05-03-2023, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mik3ymomo

Some more photos for you guys.

Thanks for the detailed pictures and description!

jsf721 · 09-27-2023, 08:55 PM

So what did you buy at rock auto and what did you replace ?

Alscoob · 10-26-2023, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsf721

So what did you buy at rock auto and what did you replace ?

Now plug in the new switchand reverse the process.

DrSteveB · 10-26-2023, 08:25 AM

Please tell me the problem with the lights that led you to this solution? (excellent description of fix -thanks)

tjbuggy2b · 10-26-2023, 08:52 AM

He mentioned it in the OP but what happens is (during the day) the lights turn on for a second or two, then back off over and over. Mine is starting to do it. At the moment, I just have to turn the switch full left, then full right, and back to auto and it will behave for a while. Right now, I see it about once a month. I know this fix is in my future, though.

Neusser · 08-05-2024, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mik3ymomo

As many of you know there is a service bulletin for the headlight switch. After taking it to my local dealer and telling them what it was they charged me $277 to diagnose it and then wanted another $770 to replace it.

I am not new to working on cars so I decided to do it myself and took photos so I can provide instructions to do this yourself in 5 mins with simple tools.

If your headlight switch looks like this then you are in the right place. If your lights turn on and off during the day then this is your problem and the part is only $165 from Rock Auto.

I used a nylon pry tool to remove the side trim and it exposes one screw that you can remove or move out of the way the vent above the headlight switch.

The switch will come right out with only the plug attached to the back. It unplugs by just pulling on the plug.

Now plug in the new switch and reverse the process. I slightly pulled back the weatherstripping on the door to work the side panel back in.

You could probably reach your hand in behind the light switch without removing the vent but it’s just one screw and it’s a T7 Torx size. If you dont have Torx just reach your hand in the hole and push out the light switch from behind after removing the side panel.

Nice. DIYs like this are invaluable, as the overabundance of tech on these cars are their collective Achilles Heel.

Dealer prices are always a good chuckle, too. You'd have to be one dim bulb to let the dealer do much other than sell you a car.

ezaircon4jc · 08-05-2024, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neusser

...
Dealer prices are always a good chuckle, too. You'd have to be one dim bulb to let the dealer do much other than sell you a car.

I must be a dim bulb then. Then again, I have an EXCELLENT dealer that is extremely competitive with the indy around the corner. I'll pay the little extra at the dealer any day of the week and twice on Sunday for the peace of mind.

Neusser · 08-06-2024, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I must be a dim bulb then. Then again, I have an EXCELLENT dealer that is extremely competitive with the indy around the corner. I'll pay the little extra at the dealer any day of the week and twice on Sunday for the peace of mind.

Maybe your indie sucks, too.

ezaircon4jc · 08-06-2024, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neusser

Maybe your indie sucks, too.

No, they're just as expensive as the dealer; and my dealer definitely doesn't suck. Maybe we have a much higher level of professionalism here.

04-19-2023, 05:24 PM	#1
Mik3ymomo Lieutenant 210 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 540i XDrive Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Mount Laurel, NJ iTrader: (0)	G30 headlight switch replacement “How To” As many of you know there is a service bulletin for the headlight switch. After taking it to my local dealer and telling them what it was they charged me $277 to diagnose it and then wanted another $770 to replace it. I am not new to working on cars so I decided to do it myself and took photos so I can provide instructions to do this yourself in 5 mins with simple tools. If your headlight switch looks like this then you are in the right place. If your lights turn on and off during the day then this is your problem and the part is only $165 from Rock Auto. I used a nylon pry tool to remove the side trim and it exposes one screw that you can remove or move out of the way the vent above the headlight switch. The switch will come right out with only the plug attached to the back. It unplugs by just pulling on the plug. Now plug in the new switch and reverse the process. I slightly pulled back the weatherstripping on the door to work the side panel back in. You could probably reach your hand in behind the light switch without removing the vent but it’s just one screw and it’s a T7 Torx size. If you dont have Torx just reach your hand in the hole and push out the light switch from behind after removing the side panel. Attached Images __________________ 18’ 540i XDrive M Sport https://www.flickr.com/photos/mik3ymomo/
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04-19-2023, 05:26 PM	#2
Mik3ymomo Lieutenant 210 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 540i XDrive Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Mount Laurel, NJ iTrader: (0)	Some more photos for you guys. Attached Images __________________ 18’ 540i XDrive M Sport https://www.flickr.com/photos/mik3ymomo/
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04-19-2023, 05:45 PM	#3
AwesomeM3 Colonel 1693 Rep 2,777 Posts Drives: F95 X5MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 M [10.00] 2020 BMW X5M Compet ... [0.00] 2008 M3 [10.00]	Nice work Mike! __________________ 2020 F95 X5///M Competition CarBahn Autoworks Stage 1 \| 2023 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica
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09-27-2023, 08:55 PM	#5
jsf721 Captain 1173 Rep 916 Posts Drives: 2019 540i X M Sport Join Date: May 2019 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	So what did you buy at rock auto and what did you replace ?
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10-26-2023, 08:25 AM	#7
DrSteveB Private First Class 35 Rep 175 Posts Drives: '18 540d, '18 X3, '10 335d Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Asheville, NC iTrader: (0)	Please tell me the problem with the lights that led you to this solution? (excellent description of fix -thanks)
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10-26-2023, 08:52 AM	#8
tjbuggy2b Lieutenant 236 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 2018 540i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (0)	He mentioned it in the OP but what happens is (during the day) the lights turn on for a second or two, then back off over and over. Mine is starting to do it. At the moment, I just have to turn the switch full left, then full right, and back to auto and it will behave for a while. Right now, I see it about once a month. I know this fix is in my future, though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote