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Subject: How to change the foglight bulbs Author: davidc (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 10074 posts Posted on: 2004-03-02 00:55:00

In a quest for a truly white foglight to match the xenon headlamps, I've tried several different replacement foglight bulbs. So far, I've tested "IcyHot" (from Advance Auto Parts) and Sylvania Silverstar H3's. The Silverstars were better than the stock H3's, but still quite yellow compared to the Xenon headlights. The IcyHot bulbs were nearly identical in yellow-ishness to the stock bulbs.

I saw Hoen H3's on Diver90's e38 at the Atlanta meet a few weeks ago and they looked great -- very bright white. A set of those is probably in order.

If you need to replace the foglight assemblies or just the bulbs, the following photos and steps show how easy it is to do. The only tool required is a small slot-head screwdriver approximately 4-5" in length.


Insert the screwdriver into the UPPER hole next the foglight. When it reaches the back of the assembly, gently push it to pop out the foglight.


The outer edge of the foglight will swivel while the inner edge rotates out.


Disconnect the wiring harness by pressing the clips on the connector.


This is the incorrect way to remove the back of the foglight. The two sides are different. Don't press on the side pictured above or you'll break the plastic tab and find yourself purchasing a new foglight assembly.


This is the side of the foglight that comes off. Press the plastic tab with your fingers to release the clamshell.


Pull apart the two halves to expose the wiring and the back of the bulb.


Release the metal bulb holder by pressing the metal tab downward then sideways.


Flip the metal tab away to expose the shiny metal plate that is the bottom of the bulb. Note the orientation of the square and circular cutouts.


Remove the bulb from the socket. Don't touch the glass with your fingers because the oil on your skin can cause the bulb to fail prematurely with heat.


Remove the plug from the spade connector and pull out the bulb.


Replace the bulb with your new one and reverse the steps to reassemble and reinstall.

David Cecil
'97 740iL, 119k miles
'86 735i, 91k miles

www.e38.org has links for everything about your BMW 7-series automobile

• How to change the foglight bulbs (pic) - davidc 2004-03-02 00:55:00 (21283 views)
  • David, question... - Big-M 2004-03-03 05:25:50 (951 views)
    • Hoen Xenonmatch H3 55W fog light pair (nt) - davidc 2004-03-03 11:33:43 (2065 views)
  • READ THIS > > > (url) - slick7 2004-03-02 13:31:34 (1472 views)
    • $40-something a pair? What do 'regular' bulbs cost? (nt) - randyv 2004-03-02 20:14:07 (862 views)
      • The basic H3's at Advance Auto Parts cost nearly $9 each (m) - davidc 2004-03-02 20:17:12 (814 views)
    • Re: READ THIS > > > - islandbeef 2004-03-02 16:44:59 (880 views)
    • The PIAA superplasma description says it is bluish purple (m) (url) - davidc 2004-03-02 13:38:58 (1026 views)
      • Re: The PIAA superplasma description says it is bluish purple (m) - azildj 2004-03-02 16:06:46 (954 views)
        • I have the Xtreme Whites also... - imolatony-formerly tony(topaz,SMG) 2004-03-02 20:42:00 (824 views)
          • Re: I have the Xtreme Whites also... - slick7 2004-03-03 10:04:44 (955 views)
      • You know what . . . - slick7 2004-03-02 14:08:38 (866 views)
        • I've ordered a set of the PIAA super plasmas. I'll post pics when they arrive. (nt) - davidc 2004-03-02 19:48:03 (877 views)
          • Awesome, I hope you like them as much as I do, PIX!! (nt) - slick7 2004-03-03 10:01:13 (820 views)
  • David, besides Diver90, Mark Wong & myself - sealbeach740 2004-03-02 13:05:34 (630 views)
    • What about the high beams? - davidc 2004-03-02 13:11:56 (793 views)
      • Dave Mine were XenonMatch (55W).... still - diver90 2004-03-02 15:28:42 (798 views)
      • I left my high beams alone, but did the Xeonmatch (pic) - M.Wong 2004-03-02 14:17:17 (1456 views)
  • Great post, thanks for the comparison of bulbs..... (nt) - Gary 2004-03-02 12:15:59 (690 views)
  • great post. just a small add on, if your screwdriver >>> - PhillySean 2004-03-02 07:47:25 (779 views)
    • that tool..is the tire pin/spark plug tool...and now the fog lite tool, too! - Q 2004-03-02 08:09:29 (811 views)
      • Q, Thank you very much for the info. considering that >>> - PhillySean 2004-03-02 08:46:26 (526 views)
  • And if you break the freaking latch that holds the light in then it's to (m) - ibew595 2004-03-02 03:01:18 (867 views)
  • Great write-up! I was going to do this next week. Thank's (nt) - jneer750 2004-03-02 02:57:21 (518 views)