Bulb replacement

[Geoff Crispin]

My bulbs have gone in the heater control and the temp gauge, is there much involved replacing them or not worth the bother as I dont usually have to drive it in the dark (dont like night driving, its the glare from very bright headlights that seem to blind me through glasses) Geoff

 

[colb]

How to here
https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-replacing-heater-control-bulbs.65/

 

[Matthew Ellis]

I did it and it was fairly easy. Just had to order the 2 bulbs via bmw. Think they were around £5 for 2 from memory.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

I did it and it was fairly easy. Just had to order the 2 bulbs via bmw. Think they were around £5 for 2 from memory.

How did you get at temp gauge bulb ?

 

[Matthew Ellis]

Hi, I took radio out, pull the dials off. I then opened the drivers side carpet on the left as you look. So that I could shine a torch to see the wires and bulbs and pulled out that way.

 

[Nodzed]

How did you get at temp gauge bulb ?

Its a pain if you have big hands, you'll leave some skin on the radio surround

You don't have to remove the controls it can be done with a very short/small long nose pliers through the radio slot (both bulbs), but it ain't easy.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Its a pain if you have big hands, you'll leave some skin on the radio surround

You don't have to remove the controls it can be done with a very short/small long nose pliers through the radio slot (both bulbs), but it ain't easy.

Thanks can I bring it round

 

[Nodzed]

Thanks can I bring it round

No! Its not a job I want to do again

 

[Geoff Crispin]

No! Its not a job I want to do again

Shame I will continue driving in day light it sounds like a lot of hassle for something that is not that important

 

[Matthew Ellis]

It’s not that bad to do in my eyes. Just fiddly.

 

[Nodzed]

It’s not that bad to do in my eyes. Just fiddly.

Sounds like you have found the easiest method

 

[Geoff Crispin]

It’s not that bad to do in my eyes. Just fiddly.

Tell us more

 

[Matthew Ellis]

I’ve mentioned above how I accessed the bulbs. Via drivers footwell/ plastic trim

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Ok Thanks

 

[Jack Ratt]

Good info, I need to replace mine

 

[ktnez99]

It’s not that bad to do in my eyes. Just fiddly.

I’ve done mine and accessed through the CD player route. It’s easy to do but just a little fiddly.

 

[ktnez99]

I’ve mentioned above how I accessed the bulbs. Via drivers footwell/ plastic trim

How did you do this? Any pics would help, please.

 

[ktnez99]

How to here
https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-replacing-heater-control-bulbs.65/

Good article. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

How to here
https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-replacing-heater-control-bulbs.65/

Sorry forgot to say thanks. Geoff

 

[MalcQV]

I've just done mine three times. The bulb and holder kept falling out.
I did it first time removing the radio because I was replacing that anyway. I found that the centre bulb which pushes in the back of the heater control unit will push in two ways. However one way seems to foul the cables from the temperature control which seems very odd.
Inserting it in 180° round felt a better fit and the temp control knob cables etc don't foul or touch it.
It was doing that I think that caused it to fall out after I replaced the blown bulb the first time.
As mentioned above you can undo the two screws on the side of the console (with caps on) and carefully bend back the panel and get in that way. It does help if you know where to find the bulbs. There are only two and the left side one goes in from underneath the control unit rather than back. You will need to go in from the LHS I think.

The second time I thought the bulb had blown again so bought another. The cheapest is £10 off eBay. I did not even try to phone BMW.