specifically the front turn signal bulb in a 2002 X5. I have looked behind the light and there doesnt seem to be any possible way to get to the bulb. Do I really have to take the entire assemble out to change that bulb? Seems like an awful big job to change a turn signal bulb. If this is the correct way to do it, are there any alignment issues upon reinstall? Thanks in advance!

all the sites i found online say that the headlight assembly needs to be removed... That is a really stupid design... Anyway, they claim that the socket is usually the faulty issue, not the bulb itself. There are new sockets designed to rectify the old faulty units. Anyone have the part number of the new revised units?

Yes, you have to remove the whole headlight. Yes, it's retarded. No it'll go back together in the same position it came out of.

Look on realoem.com for the part.

From Real Oem:
I'm assuming this is the "old" design:
16 BULB SOCKET, TURN INDICATOR WITH CABLE 2 01/2003 63126904930 ENDED

and this is the "new" design:
16 BULB SOCKET, TURN INDICATOR WITH CABLE 2 10/2003 63126933363 $19.64

Does it plug and play (is there a clip connected at the end of the socket, or two bare wires), or do i need to cut the wires and do soldering?

No, it will be a newly designed socket, no wire soldering needed.

what are the symptoms of a bad socket? i replaced both front turn signal bulbs because I was having a "rapid blink" issue with both sides about 20% of the time I used the turn signals. After replacing the bulbs, the passenger side works fine and the driver side still does it about 10% of the time. It will blink rapidly on the cluster and the bulb will not blink for about 2 seconds, then the bulb will turn on and the cluster display will blink at regular speed. Any suggestions? Does this sound like a symptom of a bad socket?

thanks for all the help so far.

Those are the symptoms of a bad socket.

thank you very much. This is the first x5 that I have owned with the socket issue. Critter, I would appreciate it if you could confirm that my part number is correct for the new socket before I order it. If you have the time to check it for me, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

Ive had some of my tail lights go out... I usually just pull them... clean the contacts and reinstall and they work again. Try it before replacing the bulbs.

i will check that out. Thank you

That 363 number is the current part number.

X5world has a good DIY

http://x5world.com/articles/x5/lights/10138-front-turn-signal-replacement.html