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      07-12-2017, 02:18 PM   #1
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ambient lights

So was the ambient light (strips of led) under the dash and all around the doors not an option on the 2013 and older X5?

Is there an aftermarket option ?
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      07-12-2017, 05:56 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2013M3 View Post
So was the ambient light (strips of led) under the dash and all around the doors not an option on the 2013 and older X5?

Is there an aftermarket option ?
I've only seen those on the newer X5M's...my old e92 335 had them and it looked great
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      07-12-2017, 06:05 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2013M3 View Post
So was the ambient light (strips of led) under the dash and all around the doors not an option on the 2013 and older X5?

Is there an aftermarket option ?
Look under your door pockets, theirs an led orange strip their and Also in the over head switch control shining down and also when removing my interior handle trim theirs a spot for an led their but it's canceled out so their may be a way to retrofit an led their at some point.

As for the stripes that change color on the dash and doors, those are for the newer f15 and f85 x5s. 2014 and newer.
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      07-14-2017, 10:06 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by 2013M3 View Post
So was the ambient light (strips of led) under the dash and all around the doors not an option on the 2013 and older X5?

Is there an aftermarket option ?
It is option code S563....check your build list or MSRP label to see if you have this option listed. It may not be as "brilliantly" lit like you see in pics of the new generation F15 & other models. Most say that you can't see it in daylight...but in a dark garage or at night...it subtly illuminates around the doors and the center dash/console.

You can see the light guides in the doors (#11 & #12 in diagram below):


Last edited by Qsilver7; 07-14-2017 at 10:18 AM..
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      07-14-2017, 10:29 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
It is option code S563....check your build list or MSRP label to see if you have this option listed. It may not be as "brilliantly" lit like you see in pics of the new generation F15 & other models. Most say that you can't see it in daylight...but in a dark garage or at night...it subtly illuminates around the doors and the center dash/console.

You can see the light guides in the doors (#11 & #12 in diagram below):

Yup, its a dimly lit orange light from the overhead console and footwell. Very hard to see in daylight and I believe it was part of a convenience package? I don't believe the bulbs they used were LED either.
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      07-15-2017, 07:39 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
It is option code S563....check your build list or MSRP label to see if you have this option listed. It may not be as "brilliantly" lit like you see in pics of the new generation F15 & other models. Most say that you can't see it in daylight...but in a dark garage or at night...it subtly illuminates around the doors and the center dash/console.

You can see the light guides in the doors (#11 & #12 in diagram below):

I know there is a dim light under the center console that projects down the idrive control. But I do not think there are lights under the door handles. Just under the door outside and under the door knob.
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      07-15-2017, 10:45 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by 2013M3 View Post
I know there is a dim light under the center console that projects down the idrive control. But I do not think there are lights under the door handles. Just under the door outside and under the door knob.
Are you familiar with any of the online VIN decoding sites? If not, click the following link and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN, then click the correct symbol. This will give you the build sheet for your BMW.

Look for option code S563 along the left side. If you do NOT see it...then you won't have the lights in the door as shown in the diagram in my previous post. Although you may have the lights that shine down on the center console.

Click here to decode your VIN and check for option code S563:
https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online


The console/center dash illumination has been around for decades...my 97 e38 has that feature. The e38 750iL also had them in the C-pillar lights and they came to be called "porn lights" as they cast that same subtle amber mood lighting on the C-pillar. These light assemblies also became a "hot mod" for other e38 7 series models when they could procure them from junk yards or V12 part outs.

{mood lights in overhead panel that shine down on center dash and console in my 97 e38...& other BMW models since this generation}



E38 750iL "porn lights" that illluminate the C-pillar


Last edited by Qsilver7; 07-16-2017 at 01:15 PM..
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      07-15-2017, 09:36 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
Are you familiar with any of the online VIN decoding sites? If not, click the following link and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN, then click the correct symbol. This will give you the build sheet for your BMW.

Look for option code S563 along the left side. If you do NOT see it...then you won't have the lights in the door as shown in the diagram in my previous post. Although you may have the lights that shine down on the center console.

Click here to decode your VIN and check for option code S563:
https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online


The console/center dash illumination has been around for decades...my 97 e38 has that feature. The e38 750iL also had them in the lights on C-pillar lights and


they came to be called "porn lights" as they cast that same subtle amber mood lighting on the C-pillar. These light assemblies also became a "hot mod" for other e38 7 series models when they could procure them from junk yards or V12 part outs.

{mood lights in overhead panel that shine down on center dash and console in my 97 e38...& other BMW models since this generation}



E38 750iL "porn lights" that illluminate the C-pillar


It has 563 as option but the only light I see is the center console
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      07-15-2017, 10:50 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
Are you familiar with any of the online VIN decoding sites? If not, click the following link and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN, then click the correct symbol. This will give you the build sheet for your BMW.

Look for option code S563 along the left side. If you do NOT see it...then you won't have the lights in the door as shown in the diagram in my previous post. Although you may have the lights that shine down on the center console.

Click here to decode your VIN and check for option code S563:
https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online


The console/center dash illumination has been around for decades...my 97 e38 has that feature. The e38 750iL also had them in the lights on C-pillar lights and they came to be called "porn lights" as they cast that same subtle amber mood lighting on the C-pillar. These light assemblies also became a "hot mod" for other e38 7 series models when they could procure them from junk yards or V12 part outs.

{mood lights in overhead panel that shine down on center dash and console in my 97 e38...& other BMW models since this generation}



E38 750iL "porn lights" that illluminate the C-pillar

So I actually went to look under the armrest of the doors of the X5 today. And underneath there is a think strip of what looks like plastic running across (under the armrest of the door).

So maybe there are strips of 'ambient' lights that aren't active or deactivated? coding issue? Carly?
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      07-15-2017, 11:24 PM   #10
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Ok. So I think I am answering my own question.

So I have the S563 option on my X5. And there is a think strip of plastic looking thing that runs under the door handle/arm rest. And it does light up, BUT and a big BUT, they were soooooo dimmmm I never noticed them until I got under the door to look at them.

So there are strips of lights that run under door handle/arm rest on the inside.

Now I have to figure out a way to make them brighter. otherwise, they are useless. I couldn't even tell they were there until I looked from the bottom up. And for reference the 'ambient light' under the center console is WAY brighter. Also, dialing up the brightness control (next to the head light buttons), don't seem to make them any brighter.
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      07-16-2017, 01:17 PM   #11
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Have you gone into iDrive settings to see if you can manipulate the brightness there?

But I think the e70's light pkg is more subtle and may not be as adjustable as the f10 X5...if anyone knows differently...please chime in.

F10 X5 Light Pkg


Last edited by Qsilver7; 07-16-2017 at 01:37 PM..
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      07-21-2017, 01:46 PM   #12
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I've ordered some of the LED modules (63316971823, #10 on the diagrams above) and will work on either making the OE LEDs brighter, or changing out the LED to something brighter. The modules are pretty cheap (~$18) so it's worth the cost to experiment a bit...

I'm going to have the front door panels off soon, and will report back when I get some info on any possible modifications.

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Last edited by 95wildtt; 07-21-2017 at 01:57 PM..
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      07-21-2017, 04:22 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
Have you gone into iDrive settings to see if you can manipulate the brightness there?

But I think the e70's light pkg is more subtle and may not be as adjustable as the f10 X5...if anyone knows differently...please chime in.

F10 X5 Light Pkg

Idrive has no control for ambient lights
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      07-23-2017, 04:15 PM   #14
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Question

I also tried to do this... yesterday as a matter of fact. I tried to simply wire tap into the existing led module for the ambient lights in the door pockets and could not...no matter what I tried... get the new LED to light up. Someone mentioned to me that it may not be supplying that little bulb with 12 volts of power, which is what my LED's required. This was very frustrating after taking the door panel off, which, IMHO is very scary.
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      07-23-2017, 05:30 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by 95wildtt View Post
I've ordered some of the LED modules (63316971823, #10 on the diagrams above) and will work on either making the OE LEDs brighter, or changing out the LED to something brighter. The modules are pretty cheap (~$18) so it's worth the cost to experiment a bit...

I'm going to have the front door panels off soon, and will report back when I get some info on any possible modifications.

John
Let us know how this works out.
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      07-23-2017, 05:32 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Tyno View Post
I also tried to do this... yesterday as a matter of fact. I tried to simply wire tap into the existing led module for the ambient lights in the door pockets and could not...no matter what I tried... get the new LED to light up. Someone mentioned to me that it may not be supplying that little bulb with 12 volts of power, which is what my LED's required. This was very frustrating after taking the door panel off, which, IMHO is very scary.
why scary? I know dumb question to some, but volts? LED? why scary?
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      07-24-2017, 11:40 AM   #17
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Taking the door panel off was scary. haha. I can cut wires all day, because I know you can always solder or clamp them back together...but ripping off your door panel just feels dangerously close to breaking something. But that's just me...
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      07-24-2017, 11:44 AM   #18
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BTW I did install some ambient lights under the dash in the footwell area when I first got the car and it looks fantastic (IMO). Everyone thinks it's stock. It was fairly simple...much simpler than the door pocket lights unfortunately. The picture really doesn't do it justice. It's a very soft orange glow.
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      07-24-2017, 01:24 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyno View Post
BTW I did install some ambient lights under the dash in the footwell area when I first got the car and it looks fantastic (IMO). Everyone thinks it's stock. It was fairly simple...much simpler than the door pocket lights unfortunately. The picture really doesn't do it justice. It's a very soft orange glow.
I like it!. do you have instructions on how you did it?
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      07-24-2017, 04:13 PM   #20
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I like it!. do you have instructions on how you did it?
Sure. I could write something up a little more detailed. But I essentially got 2 of the orange LED light strips (From advance auto parts i think) Cut them down to where there are only 3 LED's per side, wired them into the 12 v cigarette lighter in the center console (it's a grey and red wire), grounded them on a screw near the cigarette lighter in the center console and then just stuck them to the underside of the footwell near the current courtesy lights and bonded it there with some silicone adhesive (although good double sided mounting tape works just fine).

In order to do all of this you'll need to take the side panel off of the center console on the passenger and drivers side. The lighter wiring is on the passenger side that you'll tap into. Then you'll need to pass the wires and driver's side LED strip to the driver side. The best way to do this I found was to tape your wiring to something like a big wooden spoon (something hard, narrow, and long) to pass through from passenger to drivers side through the console. It's pretty simple. It took me a few hours to get the project done and get the wires all cleaned up nicely.
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      07-28-2017, 02:00 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 95wildtt View Post
I've ordered some of the LED modules (63316971823, #10 on the diagrams above) and will work on either making the OE LEDs brighter, or changing out the LED to something brighter. The modules are pretty cheap (~$18) so it's worth the cost to experiment a bit...
Got the parts today... this is a crazy simple mod!!
Can't believe I didn't do this years ago...

The package is held together with 3 small clips, so you can easily open it without any tools.

There is a 1/8W 610 ohm resistor and a T1 LED inside, so about as simple as you can get. (see photo attached)
I don't know the specs on the LED that is used, but lets just say it's "Not very bright" so it's easy to see why the strips in the doors don't light up much.

I have these Orange (605nm) LEDs on order and will decide which I want to use based on the brightness, but likely the brighter (18000 mcd) is what I will use.

9000mcd
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...gle/4051/8767/

18000mcd
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...gle/4050/8768/

All you need to do is replace the LED (re-use the resistor) with the new one (very basic soldering) and you are ready to go.

I'll post pictures of before and after when done this weekend.

Thanks & Enjoy,
John
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      07-29-2017, 01:11 PM   #22
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Thanks for the update! looking forward to your results.
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