low beam headlight

[kenfrancois]

I just replaced the low beam headlight on my 2014 RTW. Is this supposed to be this difficult or is it just me.

 

[reg26]

Do a google search on this subject. Everyone has the same problem. I have read allot of the threads and it seems after the 2nd and 3rd time it does become easy or at least easier. haven't had to do mine yet but I know its coming.

 

[JoeDabbs]

I bought a bulb to replace, knew it would take an hour or so for the first time, so I kept my bulb for a spare and rode up to the dealer-bulb and labor less than 17 bucks. I used to change out the bulbs on my 11 RT, though, and the 14 looks a bit more hidden. Still, approach from the front and do it blindly, as the tech told me. Just use a flashlight up at the handlebars to get bulb orientation and fitment.

 

[BMW Triumphant]

More info?

I bought a bulb to replace, knew it would take an hour or so for the first time, so I kept my bulb for a spare and rode up to the dealer-bulb and labor less than 17 bucks. I used to change out the bulbs on my 11 RT, though, and the 14 looks a bit more hidden. Still, approach from the front and do it blindly, as the tech told me. Just use a flashlight up at the handlebars to get bulb orientation and fitment.

Is there a written procedure or a video on this?



"Approach from the front"? Does this mean plastic does not have to be removed?

"Flashlight up at the handlebars"? Can you elaborate on this?

I've never done a bulb replacement on any RT, so more info would be much appreciated.

It sounds like it might not be as large a job as I had assumed.

 

[kenfrancois]

$17.00 Wow!! I spent $7.00 on the bulb and $12.00 on Band Aids.

 

[JoeDabbs]

You kneel down in front of bike, reach up behind fairing and unscrew cover. That exposes the bulb. Pull off terminal, unhook the clip (flip it up or down-be very careful with that clip, they don't sell them separately) and out comes the light. It's best to have bike on centerstand, because when you put the new bulb in its position, you don't want it to tip out of the correct angle, which can happen from maneuvering around the bike. You really need tostudy the apparatus with a flashlight looking down in there from up top after you take the cover off of the bulb, because from down in front you won't be able to see what you're doing. If you know someone with a New Beetle, you can have a look at that. There is a video from max BMW, but I didn't watch it cuz I already was familiar with doing that. Yes, it's really simple in the end. Took me 2 hours the first time, 10 minutes the second time. No, you don't hav e to remove any tupperware.

 

[BMW Triumphant]

Thanks

Thanks for the procedure. Seems simple enough, and that also explains why the user manual does not detail any plastic removal, since none is needed.

On my vacation trip, one of the two ( the 2011 RT had 2 low beams) bulbs failed and I believe it was a more difficult job on that bike. I had a dealer do the swap on both. Only 338 km, one way. Oh, I had a slow leak in the rear So, that was the real reason to waste a day on repair.

I was smart enough to take out MOA tire replacement insurance just before the trip. Complete coverage for that replacement tire (only a few KMs on it as I replaced tires earlier this spring) and zero hassle - all done by phone and email of money to the dealer.

 

[kenfrancois]

It's always easier when the Dealer does it.

 

[wbrownell9]

I took off the cover then stuck my cellphone in there and took a picture so I could see what I was dealing with. So instead of an hour, my first bulb change only took 60 minutes . But at least I had a better idea what I was dealing with so it lowered the frustration level.

 

[kenfrancois]

now that's funny

 

[BMW Triumphant]

Thanks

I took off the cover then stuck my cellphone in there and took a picture so I could see what I was dealing with. So instead of an hour, my first bulb change only took 60 minutes . But at least I had a better idea what I was dealing with so it lowered the frustration level.

That's a great idea. Probably applies to more than just the bulb change.

 

[smcdonald4]

Headlight bulb replacement success

After bleeding from the knuckles, I decided to step back and look at the instrument cluster on my 06 RT. I noticed that the screws are T25 torx. I removed them and gently pried open the surround on the cluster and viola! Successful access to both sides for the headlight bulbs. Try it !

 

[rockbottom]

Having gone through three bulbs on my 2014 RT and failed to get the replacement in correctly all three times, I just bite my lip and take it to the dealer. The service manager told me that BMW doesn't sell the clip separately so if you lose or break it, you have to buy a whole headlight assembly.

This is utterly moronic engineering on BMW's part. My theory is that they had a freshman engineering class design the bulb assembly as a project.

 

[rockbottom]

After bleeding from the knuckles, I decided to step back and look at the instrument cluster on my 06 RT. I noticed that the screws are T25 torx. I removed them and gently pried open the surround on the cluster and viola! Successful access to both sides for the headlight bulbs. Try it !

The 2014 is different.

 

[strataj]

Having gone through three bulbs on my 2014 RT and failed to get the replacement in correctly all three times, I just bite my lip and take it to the dealer. The service manager told me that BMW doesn't sell the clip separately so if you lose or break it, you have to buy a whole headlight assembly.

Would this one work http://www.beemerboneyard.com/r12h7bulbclip.html ?

Jay

 

[rockbottom]

Would this one work http://www.beemerboneyard.com/r12h7bulbclip.html ?

Jay

Looks like it would. I'm bookmarking that just in case.

 

[PGlaves]

Having gone through three bulbs on my 2014 RT and failed to get the replacement in correctly all three times, I just bite my lip and take it to the dealer. The service manager told me that BMW doesn't sell the clip separately so if you lose or break it, you have to buy a whole headlight assembly.

This is utterly moronic engineering on BMW's part. My theory is that they had a freshman engineering class design the bulb assembly as a project.

The problem isn't really the clip. It is the incredibly shoddy manner in which the clip is attached to the housing. I have seen several cases where either the little plastic ears broke, or were malformed originally, allowing the clip to come loose. It is supposed to pivot and stay there - not fall off.

The best fix I have seen was to cut a small strip from an aluminum can, fold it over the hinge of the clip, poke a hole through, and insert the retaining screw through the whole thing. That makes it so the clip is retained by the aluminum strip.

Sometimes just a washer bigger than the screw head will work, if the little plastic bits are intact. The beer can fix is better though.

 

[lkchris]

Having gone through three bulbs on my 2014 RT and failed to get the replacement in correctly all three times, I just bite my lip and take it to the dealer. The service manager told me that BMW doesn't sell the clip separately so if you lose or break it, you have to buy a whole headlight assembly.

This is utterly moronic engineering on BMW's part. My theory is that they had a freshman engineering class design the bulb assembly as a project.

No, the morons are elsewhere.

German vehicles have been fitted with halogen headlights since the 1970s, and the majority of them have used the same clip system and there has very likely never been an application where the clip is available separately.

To think BMW engineered this light unit as opposed to the supplier is naïve. To think there aren't other applications out there where stuff has to be removed to access this is in error as well.

What everyone needs to understand is that DIY maintenance is the LAST consideration when it comes to the engineering of any German vehicle. The assumption is instead professional maintenance. This is not fix-it-with-baling-wire-down-on-the-farm Model T engineering.

Should MOA ON ever get serious about magazine publishing, a nice illustrated article describing how the professionals perform this task would be pretty useful. You know, actually talk to a professional. Visit a dealer. What a concept.

 

[36654]

Looks like it would. I'm bookmarking that just in case.

If I'm not mistaken, that's the same type of clip used on my 2003 330i..

 

[kenfrancois]

Why is the RTW so hard on bulbs?