License plate light out - rusted carrier

sna77 · 06-30-2009, 11:16 AM

Anyone have any idea how I fix this? New bulb was not the answer. The contacts look like they have rusted completely... The right hand light works btw:

sna77 · 06-30-2009, 09:29 PM

anyone?

sna77 · 07-02-2009, 06:46 AM

torosh · 07-02-2009, 07:57 AM

I had the same exact issue on my previous 330i. You can either replace the entire handle assembly or try to clean the contacts somehow. It is easier to clean it if you remove the handle assembly from the trunk. I was able to clean mine with some electrical contact cleaner. This issue with mine was that the gasket that fits between the handle and trunk was folded over during assembly and it caused water to get behind the handle and caused the contacts to become corroded. As you reinstall the handle just make sure you have a good seal as you torque the handle down.

Hope this helps.

sna77 · 07-02-2009, 08:59 AM

Thanks! Were your contacts on both sides like that?

I dont even see the part # for the new handle:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=41&fg=60

I'm assuming it is #1 51137170966 , Trunk lid grip with key button (primed).

But that says up to 04/2001. No idea what I need for an 04...

tincup33 · 07-02-2009, 10:28 AM

Try the electrical contact cleaner idea or even some baking soda + water mix for the green crap. I can't tell if the corrosion is causing this or if there is some actual rust I'm not seeing.

bigfatvr6prik · 08-07-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sna77

Thanks! Were your contacts on both sides like that?

I dont even see the part # for the new handle:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=41&fg=60

I'm assuming it is #1 51137170966 , Trunk lid grip with key button (primed).

But that says up to 04/2001. No idea what I need for an 04...

Had the exact same issue, ended up getting the new one from Tischer and got it painted from another 50$ (if you get it painted make sure you get it matched as color will be off after 5 years of beating the OE paint has taken). You need part # 13 (not #1 as you stated).

In my case while trying to clean the contacts, they were so brittle, that one bulb holder literally broke into pieces while i tried electrical contact cleaner with a small brush.

enelson325 · 07-02-2009, 11:01 AM

damn that is bad lol

Devas · 08-07-2009, 12:08 AM

I wonder if you change the unit with LED Bulbs the ones that come with the whole housing, would it fix it?

http://www.bimmian.com/46/LPL/

dmon_101 · 08-07-2009, 01:20 AM

I had to do this with the lousy New England weather I was living in, just cleaned the contacts, and it worked fine.

Edison@JleviSW · 08-07-2009, 10:48 AM

Might as well upgrade to LEDs if you are going to replace the housings. I recommend the Xenon White LED License Plate Light Housings we carry which are a complete replacement with built in LEDs.

Devas · 08-08-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW

Might as well upgrade to LEDs if you are going to replace the housings. I recommend the Xenon White LED License Plate Light Housings we carry which are a complete replacement with built in LEDs.

Do you have the housing just regular 2005 E46 Sedans? Cause it says it only fits CSL

dmon_101 · 08-08-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devas

Do you have the housing just regular 2005 E46 Sedans? Cause it says it only fits CSL

no it doesn't

Edison@JleviSW · 08-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devas

Do you have the housing just regular 2005 E46 Sedans? Cause it says it only fits CSL

We can source them for the regular E46 no problem.

Devas · 08-09-2009, 02:10 PM

When you do can you please PM me? or let me know some how?

hi its me alec · 08-07-2009, 11:47 AM

Steel wool or mild sandpaper will do the trick. If it's hard to get in there with your fingers, wrap some sandpaper around the end of a pencil and tape it together, then you can be more precise with it. It just happens when corrosion builds up between the metals and disrupts the electrical current.

gaery85 · 08-09-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hi its me alec

Steel wool or mild sandpaper will do the trick. If it's hard to get in there with your fingers, wrap some sandpaper around the end of a pencil and tape it together, then you can be more precise with it. It just happens when corrosion builds up between the metals and disrupts the electrical current.

Agree with this 100%, but in my case, I just use flat screwdriver & just scratch the whole green areas, works well!

jbeurotech · 08-07-2009, 12:02 PM

When it gets that bad the 3 pin connector is damged as well. You will need the grip strip and a connector repair kit(most likely)

I just replace all those parts on my E46

CJW2OO4 · 08-07-2009, 12:51 PM

sucks that happened to my car too...good thing I still was under warranty.

hi its me alec · 08-07-2009, 01:18 PM

Oh wow, I didn't even see the green corrosion all over the inside.. I was just looking at the prongs. That's pretty bad

06-30-2009, 09:29 PM	#2
sna77 OEM ///Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 7,760 My Ride: ZHP View My Garage	anyone? __________________ 2004 330i ZHP (me) 2006 X3 (wife) 2004 325xi (sold) 2001 325i (passed on to DavidJay) MY DIY write-ups MY Garage (all the mods)

07-02-2009, 06:46 AM	#3
sna77 OEM ///Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 7,760 My Ride: ZHP View My Garage	__________________ 2004 330i ZHP (me) 2006 X3 (wife) 2004 325xi (sold) 2001 325i (passed on to DavidJay) MY DIY write-ups MY Garage (all the mods)

07-02-2009, 08:59 AM	#5
sna77 OEM ///Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 7,760 My Ride: ZHP View My Garage	Thanks! Were your contacts on both sides like that? I dont even see the part # for the new handle: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=41&fg=60 I'm assuming it is #1 51137170966 , Trunk lid grip with key button (primed). But that says up to 04/2001. No idea what I need for an 04... __________________ 2004 330i ZHP (me) 2006 X3 (wife) 2004 325xi (sold) 2001 325i (passed on to DavidJay) MY DIY write-ups MY Garage (all the mods)

08-07-2009, 12:08 AM	#9
Devas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 42 My Ride: 2011 E90 M3 View My Garage	I wonder if you change the unit with LED Bulbs the ones that come with the whole housing, would it fix it? http://www.bimmian.com/46/LPL/ Last edited by Devas; 08-07-2009 at 12:16 AM.

08-07-2009, 01:20 AM	#10
dmon_101 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diggity, CA Posts: 5,066 My Ride: has sexy fogs/shoes View My Garage	I had to do this with the lousy New England weather I was living in, just cleaned the contacts, and it worked fine. __________________ Dealer Programmable Options \| Projector Fogs FTW There are a lot of Fs and too many Ks in the F/M/K scenario To answer your question, it's something you can find by searching the forum or using Google

06-30-2009, 11:16 AM	#1
sna77 OEM ///Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 7,760 My Ride: ZHP View My Garage	License plate light out - rusted carrier Anyone have any idea how I fix this? New bulb was not the answer. The contacts look like they have rusted completely... The right hand light works btw: __________________ 2004 330i ZHP (me) 2006 X3 (wife) 2004 325xi (sold) 2001 325i (passed on to DavidJay) MY DIY write-ups MY Garage (all the mods)

07-02-2009, 07:57 AM	#4
torosh Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 68 My Ride: 2004 330i ZHP View My Garage	I had the same exact issue on my previous 330i. You can either replace the entire handle assembly or try to clean the contacts somehow. It is easier to clean it if you remove the handle assembly from the trunk. I was able to clean mine with some electrical contact cleaner. This issue with mine was that the gasket that fits between the handle and trunk was folded over during assembly and it caused water to get behind the handle and caused the contacts to become corroded. As you reinstall the handle just make sure you have a good seal as you torque the handle down. Hope this helps.

07-02-2009, 10:28 AM	#6
tincup33 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 58 My Ride: 2003 325Ci View My Garage	Try the electrical contact cleaner idea or even some baking soda + water mix for the green crap. I can't tell if the corrosion is causing this or if there is some actual rust I'm not seeing.

07-02-2009, 11:01 AM	#8
enelson325 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York Posts: 1,730 My Ride: 2002 325i View My Garage	damn that is bad lol

08-07-2009, 10:48 AM	#11
Edison@JleviSW 1.888.JLEVISW Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 28,337 My Ride: BMW Duh View My Garage	Might as well upgrade to LEDs if you are going to replace the housings. I recommend the Xenon White LED License Plate Light Housings we carry which are a complete replacement with built in LEDs.

08-09-2009, 02:10 PM	#15
Devas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 42 My Ride: 2011 E90 M3 View My Garage	When you do can you please PM me? or let me know some how?

08-07-2009, 11:47 AM	#16
hi its me alec Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 14,793 My Ride: BMWs + 1988 Pathy View My Garage	Steel wool or mild sandpaper will do the trick. If it's hard to get in there with your fingers, wrap some sandpaper around the end of a pencil and tape it together, then you can be more precise with it. It just happens when corrosion builds up between the metals and disrupts the electrical current. __________________

08-07-2009, 12:02 PM	#18
jbeurotech Regional Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Brighton MN Posts: 5,019 My Ride: 2000 E46 with 254K View My Garage	When it gets that bad the 3 pin connector is damged as well. You will need the grip strip and a connector repair kit(most likely) I just replace all those parts on my E46 __________________ Seth Thorson Service Manager/BMW Tech JB Eurotech Service "Your Reasonable Dealer Alternative" General Questions can be sent to appointment@jbeurotech.com 1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. 2. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

08-07-2009, 12:51 PM	#19
CJW2OO4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 1,557 My Ride: LANDSHARK View My Garage	sucks that happened to my car too...good thing I still was under warranty.

08-07-2009, 01:18 PM	#20
hi its me alec Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 14,793 My Ride: BMWs + 1988 Pathy View My Garage	Oh wow, I didn't even see the green corrosion all over the inside.. I was just looking at the prongs. That's pretty bad __________________

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