Electronics » License plate light bulb replacement: RTFM!

So, riding along the dash starts displaying the bulb/lamp replacement warning graphic. Hitting the warning triangle icon on my Nav 5, it helpfully tells me its the license plate light that has failed. I pop into my local BMW dealer to get a replacement bulb and as he's handing it over he makes the comment "You do know how to change it, don't you?". The cheek of the young whipper-snapper... Flashing a contemptuous glance in his direction, I marched off to my machine and rode home.

Parked up at home, I approached the rear of the bike, and started undoing the torx bolt under the light unit. After a many turns it was loose, but the light unit was not coming off. I pulled the light while turning the bolt and soon it came free, with the unmistakable sound of a bolt and washer falling into the innards of the tail tidy. "Oh bother", I said, or something similar...

In sheer desperation, I opened up the manual that came with the bike to find out how you should really change the bulb... It turns out you need to remove 5 bolts holding the tail piece together, including two under the pillion seat. 4 of the 5 came out no problem at all. The last one underneath the seat tray turns and "clicks" but doesn't unscrew. "Oh fiddlesticks", I said, or something similar...

So, I now have the license plate lamp cover which I can't bolt back on because I can't get the last bolt holding the underside of the tail undertray. Any thoughts or suggestions for techniques to remove the last under tray bolt? Worst case scenario, my bike is going for its MOT in a week or two, so I can just ask the garage to sort it out for me, but oh, the embarrassment... Any tips on the best accompaniment for a plate of humble pie would also be appreciated.

Paul (idiot in search of a village...)

Zitat von IPaul im Beitrag #1

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So, riding along the dash starts displaying the bulb/lamp replacement warning graphic. Hitting the warning triangle icon on my Nav 5, it helpfully tells me its the license plate light that has failed. I pop into my local BMW dealer to get a replacement bulb and as he's handing it over he makes the comment "You do know how to change it, don't you?". The cheek of the young whipper-snapper... Flashing a contemptuous glance in his direction, I marched off to my machine and rode home.

Parked up at home, I approached the rear of the bike, and started undoing the torx bolt under the light unit. After a many turns it was loose, but the light unit was not coming off. I pulled the light while turning the bolt and soon it came free, with the unmistakable sound of a bolt and washer falling into the innards of the tail tidy. "Oh bother", I said, or something similar...

In sheer desperation, I opened up the manual that came with the bike to find out how you should really change the bulb... It turns out you need to remove 5 bolts holding the tail piece together, including two under the pillion seat. 4 of the 5 came out no problem at all. The last one underneath the seat tray turns and "clicks" but doesn't unscrew. "Oh fiddlesticks", I said, or something similar...

So, I now have the license plate lamp cover which I can't bolt back on because I can't get the last bolt holding the underside of the tail undertray. Any thoughts or suggestions for techniques to remove the last under tray bolt? Worst case scenario, my bike is going for its MOT in a week or two, so I can just ask the garage to sort it out for me, but oh, the embarrassment... Any tips on the best accompaniment for a plate of humble pie would also be appreciated.

Paul (idiot in search of a village...)

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Hi, Paul. One option is to take a drilling machine in your hand and destroy the holding bolt. Then you can take out the broken thread inside the plastic cover under the seat and glue a new thread in it. You will have to find/buy a new screw but you could remove the cover

Paul,

Just pull the offending bolt up or down as appropriate, whilst turning it and it will come free complete with the offending little brass captive insert (nut). Hold the brass bit with pliers whilst undoing the bolt and then using everyone’s friend “super glue” the brass captive nut bit back into the panel it came from.

Hope this helps. From experience I know it does work

Zitat von Duds im Beitrag #5

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Paul,

Just pull the offending bolt up or down as appropriate, whilst turning it and it will come free complete with the offending little brass captive insert (nut). Hold the brass bit with pliers whilst undoing the bolt and then using everyone’s friend “super glue” the brass captive nut bit back into the panel it came from.

Hope this helps. From experience I know it does work

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Zitat von Marcin im Beitrag #4

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Hi, Paul. One option is to take a drilling machine in your hand and destroy the holding bolt. Then you can take out the broken thread inside the plastic cover under the seat and glue a new thread in it. You will have to find/buy a new screw but you could remove the cover

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Zitat von Duds im Beitrag #5

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Paul,

Just pull the offending bolt up or down as appropriate, whilst turning it and it will come free complete with the offending little brass captive insert (nut). Hold the brass bit with pliers whilst undoing the bolt and then using everyone’s friend “super glue” the brass captive nut bit back into the panel it came from.

Hope this helps. From experience I know it does work

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Oh yes lesson learned, just nip the screws up and leave well alone.