Check Licplate light!?!? Anger vent - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Wright · 21st September 2003, 05:37

So, the handy onboard computer tells me 700 miles ago that I need to check my "licplate light." Light bulbs went on in my mind and thought, "Oh Darn! What do I do?" Wait it out . .. hehehe. Well, no such luck. Every time I start and stop the car my check licplate light still keeps going on! And it won't stop. So I bought the light bulb; I splurged for $1.19 or something.

What concerns me is that when my left rear turn signal went out, no check light "warning" came on! Admittedly, this could have been becauseit probably wasn't the bulb that burned out, but rather a bad housing (as older threads have revealed). But I would think that the check left turn signal (or whatever abbreviation) light would have gone on, regardless of the malfunction? Where that leaves me is, is this intended? Do the men in blue require the computer to continuously give that warning light until the licplate light bulb is replaced?! No, I haven't just read "1984" again, but I'm tired of waiting for the frickin' light to go off, let alone the buzzer! The PDC I can handle, 'cause then I know I'm in reverse!

So, now, I've got my licplate bulb, pop the rear deck, and . . .

h, how does the light go in? looks like a screw driver pop, no, oh, don't wanna turn too hard; otherwise, only a small bmw logo (does it cover an allen wrench hole?). Call my son out, ace auto mechanic student and BMW fan, who says, Dad, can't you do anything? He can't figure it out, I still can't, the guy who sold me the bulb said he hadn't sold that many, if any before. And at 380000, I'm past my maintenance warranty and patience!!

Does anyone have observations about (i) whether I should keep waiting to see if the frickin' bulb goes out, (ii) join the 11/99 club, (iii) replace the bulb by . .. how DO you do it? and (iv) does anyone's check left or rear blinker light actually go on? Or is this a conspiracy (or my prior left blinker light, like other cool things about my beloved car, just an anamoly?

Thanks for your thoughts! Maybe I'm just clueless in California!

lwebb12 · 22nd September 2003, 01:30

i have a pic to help how do i post it?

Wright · 22nd September 2003, 18:54

Thanks; wish I could help with posting pic, but I'm not a guru. What I did awhile ago is go to a web hosting site--there used to be free ones--sign up for a space, and then download the pictures from your computer to that space, and that place the link into this dialogue box.

Anyway, a friend pointed out to me that the owner's manual, worthless thing it sometimes is, tells you how to change every light bulb! Anyway, for this one, you put in a screwdriver and push to the left; I think I must have pushed to the right.

Thanks again

Gustav · 22nd September 2003, 19:08

Hey Wright,

go here to upload the pic:

http://www.bmwm5.com/photo/uploadphoto.php

Gustav · 22nd September 2003, 19:08

lwebb12, go here:

http://www.bmwm5.com/photo/uploadphoto.php

Quote:

Originally posted by lwebb12
i have a pic to help how do i post it?

lwebb12 · 22nd September 2003, 23:16

ok this should help you out.

Wright · 23rd September 2003, 01:25

Thanks lwebb12 (and Gustav!)

The picture really helps. I thought the instruction was to put the screwdriver into the slot next to the light instead of at the left edge of the slot.

And Gustav . . . with our new IKEA store in Palo Alto, we now have those delicious candy "gummi bear" cars available here!
Lemme know if you need lodging next year; I hope to be down again for the Concourse/historics.

Great to meet you and Robert.

Wright

lwebb12 · 23rd September 2003, 01:41

no problem glad to help a fellow M5 owner. if anyone needs help i have the TIS and ETK programs 2002 and earlier models

Ski · 24th September 2003, 03:06

lwebb12 · 24th September 2003, 05:20

welcome Ski