Replacing F23 Rear Turn Signal Bulb

Dr. Doom · 06-16-2023, 04:11 PM

Sorry if this is posted elsewhere - I promise I searched. I am getting a malfunction on a rear turn signal on an F23 (2018 230i). I removed the tail light assembly, but can't figure out how to get to the bulbs. There are 9 Torx screws, but removing them doesn't seem to loosen anything. The reverse bulb has its own access panel, but all other bulbs are inside the housing. Can anyone share some wisdom, please? (I already separated the plastic shroud that contains the bold covers.)

jzeiler4 · 06-18-2023, 08:41 AM

The reverse light is the only one using a bulb, the rest are LED's. They have a very long life so your issue may be in the wiring.

Dr. Doom · 06-19-2023, 09:18 AM

Thanks - that would make sense. Not sure why the bulb makers list a bulb for it, but I certainly can't see anything looking through the lens. The error has been intermittent, so I guess I'll keep an eye on it.

Ph4zed · 10-30-2023, 08:08 AM

Having the same issue with my ‘18. I had the issue on one of my rear turn signals a couple years ago. Now I’m having it again, but can’t remember if it’s the same turn signal or not. I believe it was an electrical issue back then, and because it’s also intermittent on mine, I’m thinking it’s again an electrical issue.

Dr. Doom · 10-30-2023, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ph4zed

Having the same issue with my ‘18. I had the issue on one of my rear turn signals a couple years ago. Now I’m having it again, but can’t remember if it’s the same turn signal or not. I believe it was an electrical issue back then, and because it’s also intermittent on mine, I’m thinking it’s again an electrical issue.

Yeah, I pulled the light housing, cleaned the connection (don't think that was the issue - just did it as a matter of course), and reinstalled. I haven't had the issue since, so I'm assuming it was just a gremlin in the electrical system.

bensanford · 11-01-2023, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

Yeah, I pulled the light housing, cleaned the connection (don't think that was the issue - just did it as a matter of course), and reinstalled. I haven't had the issue since, so I'm assuming it was just a gremlin in the electrical system.

I am getting a (perhaps?) similar intermittent problem with my right rear turn signal. When I turn the signal on, it will flash once (that sounds normal), and then goes to a rapid flashing that is maybe 2x or 3x the normal flashing rate - and I get a turn-signal malfunction warning on the dashboard. This only happen with the turning right turn signal and is intermittent. Sometimes I can just turn the turn signal off and back on and it will be fine.

Is this similar to the issue you had?

Dr. Doom · 11-01-2023, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bensanford

I am getting a (perhaps?) similar intermittent problem with my right rear turn signal. When I turn the signal on, it will flash once (that sounds normal), and then goes to a rapid flashing that is maybe 2x or 3x the normal flashing rate - and I get a turn-signal malfunction warning on the dashboard. This only happen with the turning right turn signal and is intermittent. Sometimes I can just turn the turn signal off and back on and it will be fine.

Is this similar to the issue you had?

I don't recall if mine flashed rapidly, but otherwise yes, that sounds similar. And though likely just a coincidence, mine was the right signal as well.

Ph4zed · 11-04-2023, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bensanford

I am getting a (perhaps?) similar intermittent problem with my right rear turn signal. When I turn the signal on, it will flash once (that sounds normal), and then goes to a rapid flashing that is maybe 2x or 3x the normal flashing rate - and I get a turn-signal malfunction warning on the dashboard. This only happen with the turning right turn signal and is intermittent. Sometimes I can just turn the turn signal off and back on and it will be fine.

Is this similar to the issue you had?

Almost the exact same issue as me. I think I had it on the right initially a couple years back (maybe around 25k miles) and it was under warranty at the time so the dealership took care of it. This time the same thing is happening again for me, but now it’s the left signal. Oddly enough it hasn’t happened in the last few days, so we’ll see what happens.

signalboosters · 12-04-2023, 12:35 PM

Locate the bulb holder: Inside the tail light assembly, there should be a bulb holder for each bulb. These holders are usually twist-locked into place.

Twist and remove: Once you've located the bulb holder, you may need to twist it counterclockwise (usually a quarter turn) to unlock it. After that, you should be able to pull the bulb holder out.

Replace the bulb: After removing the bulb holder, you can then access the specific bulb that needs replacement. Carefully replace the malfunctioning bulb with a new one.

Reassemble: Reverse the steps to put everything back together. Insert the bulb holder back into the housing and twist it clockwise to lock it in place. Ensure everything is secure before reattaching the tail light assembly.

06-16-2023, 04:11 PM	#1
Dr. Doom New Member 4 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 230i Conve ... [0.00] 2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i [0.00]	Replacing F23 Rear Turn Signal Bulb Sorry if this is posted elsewhere - I promise I searched. I am getting a malfunction on a rear turn signal on an F23 (2018 230i). I removed the tail light assembly, but can't figure out how to get to the bulbs. There are 9 Torx screws, but removing them doesn't seem to loosen anything. The reverse bulb has its own access panel, but all other bulbs are inside the housing. Can anyone share some wisdom, please? (I already separated the plastic shroud that contains the bold covers.)
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06-18-2023, 08:41 AM	#2
jzeiler4 Lieutenant 320 Rep 536 Posts Drives: 2021 M240i xDrive vert Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Hazel Green, AL iTrader: (0)	The reverse light is the only one using a bulb, the rest are LED's. They have a very long life so your issue may be in the wiring.
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06-19-2023, 09:18 AM	#3
Dr. Doom New Member 4 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 230i Conve ... [0.00] 2020 BMW X3 xDrive30i [0.00]	Thanks - that would make sense. Not sure why the bulb makers list a bulb for it, but I certainly can't see anything looking through the lens. The error has been intermittent, so I guess I'll keep an eye on it.
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10-30-2023, 08:08 AM	#4
Ph4zed Private 10 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2018 230i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	Having the same issue with my ‘18. I had the issue on one of my rear turn signals a couple years ago. Now I’m having it again, but can’t remember if it’s the same turn signal or not. I believe it was an electrical issue back then, and because it’s also intermittent on mine, I’m thinking it’s again an electrical issue.
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12-04-2023, 12:35 PM	#9
signalboosters Signalboosters 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW i7 Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Locate the bulb holder: Inside the tail light assembly, there should be a bulb holder for each bulb. These holders are usually twist-locked into place. Twist and remove: Once you've located the bulb holder, you may need to twist it counterclockwise (usually a quarter turn) to unlock it. After that, you should be able to pull the bulb holder out. Replace the bulb: After removing the bulb holder, you can then access the specific bulb that needs replacement. Carefully replace the malfunctioning bulb with a new one. Reassemble: Reverse the steps to put everything back together. Insert the bulb holder back into the housing and twist it clockwise to lock it in place. Ensure everything is secure before reattaching the tail light assembly.
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