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Repair Summary
This article gives detailed instructions on replacing the parking lamp/angel eye bulbs in a 2004-2007 (pre-LCI) BMW 5 series vehicle with a xenon headlight assembly (the halogen assembly is different). Even though we used a 2006 530xi touring wagon to perform this repair, this article can be applied to any BMW E60/E61 5 series vehicle with xenon headlights and a production date up to 3/2007 (pre-LCI) with minor modifications to the repair steps.
See all vehicles this article applies to
E60 5 Series M5
E60 5 Series 523Li
E60 5 Series 550i
E60 5 Series 545i
E60 5 Series 540i
E60 5 Series 535d
E60 5 Series 530xi
E60 5 Series 530xd
E60 5 Series 530Li
E60 5 Series 530i
E60 5 Series 530d
E60 5 Series 525i
E60 5 Series 525xi
E60 5 Series 525Li
E60 5 Series 525d
E60 5 Series 523i
E60 5 Series 520i
E60 5 Series 520d
E60N 5 Series 550i
E60N 5 Series 525xi
E60N 5 Series 540i
E60N 5 Series 535xi
E60N 5 Series 535i
E60N 5 Series 535d
E60N 5 Series 530xi
E60N 5 Series 530xd
E60N 5 Series 530Li
E60N 5 Series 530i
E60N 5 Series 528xi
E60N 5 Series 530d
E60N 5 Series 528i
E60N 5 Series 525Li
E60N 5 Series 525xd
E60N 5 Series 525i
E60N 5 Series 525d
E60N 5 Series 523Li
E60N 5 Series 523i
E60N 5 Series 520Li
E60N 5 Series 520d
E60N 5 Series 520i
E61 5 Series 550i
E61 5 Series 530d
E61 5 Series 545i
E61 5 Series 535d
E61 5 Series 530xi
E61 5 Series 530xd
E61 5 Series 525i
E61 5 Series 530i
E61 5 Series 525xi
E61 5 Series 525d
E61 5 Series 523i
E61 5 Series 520d
A BMW E60 parking lamp replacement will quickly remove that irritating error message on your iDrive display.
Please note that this repair article is only for BMW E60 5 series vehicles with a production date to 03/2007 (pre-LCI) with the xenon headlight option only. Other models use a different bulb and a different procedure for replacing it. If you are not sure of the production date of your 5 series, please check the vin decal in the driver's side door jamb
On the BMW E60 5 series, the vehicle's parking lamps are actually the headlight's angel eye rings. A small 5w bulb located within the interior headlight reflector is what supplies the power to light them. Replacing the parking lamp bulb is the same as replacing the angel eye bulb on a BMW E60 with xenon headlights; it is the same 5W bulb that powers both of them.
The parking lamps intended purpose is to identify the front of the vehicle when it is parked in a dark environment...like on the side of a road at night. Say for example you had to park on the side of a dimly lit two lane road on a very dark night. The front parking lamps allow oncoming traffic to know you are there without blinding (or confusing) them with your headlights on. It's that simple.
Performing a BMW E60 parking lamp/angel eye bulb replacement on your own 5 series is a simple procedure that only takes a few minutes if you have the right tools and a little bit of patience. You will need a long flat head screwdriver and a pair of long nose pliers to remove the parking lamp bulb; unfortunately it is tucked deep within the headlight housing making it difficult to reach with fingers. Since the H7 "flash to pass" bulb needs to be removed to complete this repair, now is a great time to replace it as well.
***Please note that the interior H7 halogen bulb on BMW E60s with the bi-xenon headlight option is not a high beam! It is only used as a "flash to pass bulb" - the xenon bulbs in the outer reflectors serve as both the high and low beam. Please see our article on replacing your BMW E60 xenon bulbs for more information.
Now is also a great time to upgrade your parking lights/angel eyes to colored or bright white custom versions. Please see our parts list below for a list of great options.
View the detailed parts diagram for this repair.
Includes detailed part diagrams, part numbers and links to purchase all of the required components needed to complete this repair.
Before starting this repair, you must have the following required parts.
Section 1 - Removing and replacing the BMW E60 parking lamp/angel eyes bulb
Removing the BMW E60 parking lamp bulb requires a bit of nimbleness...it is tucked underneath the "flash to pass" bulb in the interior of the headlight assembly. We have always found that the best way to extract it (unless you have very long fingers) is to use a long flat blade screwdriver to turn the bulb until it release from the reflector.- Locate the parking lamp bulb cover on the inside of the headlight assembly.
- Turn the parking lamp bulb cover counterclockwise and remove it from the headlight assembly.
- Locate the flash to pass bulb socket. Using your fingers, reach down and turn the socket counterclockwise to release it from the headlight reflector.
- Pull the flash to pass bulb free from the headlight assembly and lay it gently to the side. Do not touch the bulb with your bare fingers...the oil from your skin can cause it to overheat.
- The parking lamp/angle eye bulb is located deep inside the headlight housing near the bottom. Stock factory bulbs are a burnt orange color as shown in the following photo. Please be aware that if your vehicle had an aftermarket bulb previously installed, it may be a different shape and color.
- The BMW E60 parking lamp bulb is almost impossible to reach with your fingers. We suggest using a long flat blade screwdriver to turn the bulb counterclockwise until releases from the headlight reflector.
- When the bulb releases from the reflector, use a pair of long needle nose pliers to grasp it and extract it from the headlight.
- Unplug the back of the parking lamp bulb.
- Replace the bulb following the above steps in reverse. BE PATIENT while trying to get the bulb back into the reflector...if you get frustrated take a break! Sometimes it helps to have a helper hold the bulb in place while you turn it clockwise with the flat blade screwdriver. Be sure not to touch the bulb...once again the oil from your skin can cause it to overheat, severely shortening its lifespan.
BMW E60 Parking Lamp/Angel Eye Bulb Replacement Finished
 bulb replacement | 2004-2007 (pre-LCI) 5 series | Replace your own bulb. Easy step by step instructions!){kind=link}