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Mot...

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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Themoog2
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Post by Themoog2 » Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:10 pm

Had the MOT today.
Pass. No advisories. Get in! Not bad for a 20yr old..
The only thing he mentioned to me was that I have the wrong tail light bulbs in. Apparently they should be 5w but mine are 21w (?) so they are as bright as my brake lights. Never knew. Been like that for years.
It's still in having the AC compressor swapped for a used one that hopefully won't vibrate like the one that's on now.

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Alan Gunn
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Post by Alan Gunn » Tue Feb 28, 2023 5:34 am

I think 21w is correct.
They dim to be side lights then full for brake well i think that is what i have in my 21 year old.
Changed one for last MOT in December ???? pretty certain it was 21w i put in.

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Post by X5Sport » Tue Feb 28, 2023 6:50 am

21W is what the spec says for all taillight unit lamps.

Worth having a look in case there is a fault with the dimming circuit itself.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

Themoog2
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Post by Themoog2 » Tue Feb 28, 2023 5:08 pm

Disaster!
The used ac compressor turned out to be seized.. So much for a 30 day warranty. Its been in my garage for over 6 months.
I've had to order a new one at £185 ( should have done that in the first place) so now I'm driving around with no ac as the old compressor has been removed.
I shall have it all put back together when the new one arrives.

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Post by Leslie » Tue Feb 28, 2023 7:36 pm

Used compressors always a bit of a gamble really , most will be well worn by now :D

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Post by Themoog2 » Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:25 am

The new compressor is on its way so I'm booked in next week to have it put back together.
Would you believe it - a tail light bulb blew this morning..
Mine has the top bulb lit and also the one below it. Is that correct? Why does it need 4 bulbs lit up

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Alan Gunn
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Post by Alan Gunn » Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:42 am

My 2002 E53 has them all lit up as well.

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Post by X5Sport » Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:26 pm

I thought that the upper pair should only come on with really heavy braking. BMW call it ‘brake force display’ and it’s supposed to wake dozy drivers behind that you really are stopping and in a hurry. I believe in later models the brake lights will flash as well. I can’t remember which model/version and year it happened though.
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Post by Alan Gunn » Fri Mar 03, 2023 6:46 am

Learn something new every day.

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Post by Themoog2 » Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:25 pm

Finally got round to having a new AC compressor installed today. What a difference- engine is smooth as. Fresh MOT so all good.
Got a few other bits to sort out over the summer. New front driveshafts and the steering universal joint (I think). Not necessary but I’m gradually going through the car to make it as new or better than it was when new in terms of NVH.

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