Changing the light blubs. HELP!

[/Ada1982 /]

hi,
my 318ti, the light on the dash,where the air/heat, fans are(under the radio) is won't work. I think the light blubs are burn out.
I try to take the plastic out but i couldn't. Just the bottom clip come off. I don't know that I have to take the radio out first, or not? if any body know how to do it, Please email me or reply this message.
Thank you. Ada

[DeadpaN]

I would think taking the radio out and peeking back there would be easier than removing the center console and etc.....

[marleymon]

Take the radio out. There is one bulb. Turn the socket and it will slide out.

[/Ada1982 /]

Thank you .. now I have to order the special tools for taking the radio out. The dealer want like $165 for just one light. That's way over price!!

[DeadpaN]

you can get that tool from bavauto.com for like $15

[/Ada1982 /]

Hi,
Now i got the radio out and i got that light bulb but it stuck with the socket.
I went to Auto Zone and they said i have to order a whole part.I think i can just change the light bulb but have to find the way to take it out of the socket. if anyone knows how, please tell me. :(

[aceyx]

Order from not AutoZone. Pelican would be my first place to look.

[/Ada1982 /]

i just gonna go to the dealer around here cuz the shipping it's like double prices! but thanks for all your help. :)

[aceyx]

I suggest going through Foreign Motors West. Never had a good experience with Herb Chambers.

You're also about an hour away from Bavarian Auto. If you're headed north for any reason, give them a call ahead. They can also help you out with changing it.

[ubiquity]

I had exactly this problem. I removed the headunit and the bulb twists and pops out.

It is infact just a simple led with a little plastic surround on it so it slides into the hole inbetween the dials

I paid £4 for mine from a main BMW dealer.

[/Ada1982 /]

Thanks for all of your advices. I fix it already (just pull the old light bulb out from the plastic and put new one in). Now I plan to chage all my interior light to RED. What do you guys think! :)

[ubiquity]

Personally I quite like the xenon look interior bulbs. Red might make it look a little, well, like the red light district!