License plate bulb is out - Where do I purchase the bulb?

[rufryder]

Newbie here...
My first car few weeks old. The dash board says, the 'check lic plate light' and indeed it's out. Where do you guys normally purchase BMW parts? Can these only be purchased through a dealership?

The bulb type is 6814 (told by AutoZone rep).


Thank you for your help.

[weazman187]

they didnt have it at autozone?, i got mine at pepboys.

[Macv]

Get red ones from Autolumination.com, as well as whatever other l.e.d. needs you might have.

[Russell]

Go to the Sylvania auto bulb site. It will tell which bubs they ahve for your car. Advance Auto or Autozone should have them

[Chris'91'525i]

Get red ones from Autolumination.com, as well as whatever other l.e.d. needs you might have.


I would think twice about putting in 'red' license plate bulbs.
Around here (Calif.) it would a guarantee of getting pulled over by a LEO and getting ticketed.

[Macv]

Yes, always consider where you live. But I live in Indiana (almost no car laws) and have them for my licenseplate, trunk, and domelights. For as little as I'll use my car at night, the red makes it fun when I do.

[steve0suprem0]

shoulda had it at autozone. pretty standard bulb. i got 'em there...

anyway, good luck on this one. if it doesn't work, check the driver side trunk support arm and when you find and solder the broken wires, check your fuses. caused me quite a headache, relieved with the help of this forum (thanks, bimmer.info).

[attack eagle]

ONe ofthe autozones did not have it, and the other did here locally.
Also pepboys seems ot have a better assortment of bulbs than autozone does.

Are you sure it is the bulb and not a wiring problem?

[Spasso]

For REAL auto parts and hard to find items I have good luck at NAPA. They have tracked down some really weird stuff for me. Not always the cheapest but there is a reason for that, usually better quality.

[rufryder]

Update:
I was able to find them at PepBoys.....Autozone tells me that it's a "dealer's item." Anyhow, now the next question........how do I open the little plate under the light? License plate has two bulbs (left & right). The one on the right is out, and there's a plate with a hole. I tried to put a screw driver in the hold and the side of the plate, and tried to yank it open, however no luck. I did not use force, afraid that I might break it.

Any idea how to pop it up and put the bulb in?
Thanks. My first car, few weeks old and my first project. :)

[Qube]

You'll see a spring clip holding it in. Just push to one side and pull. For the right bulbs: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide/

Granted, thanks for filling out your profile... not sure if same on an e39.

[shogun]

You need an owners manual. Do a search and you will find it,