Need Help

mykcheng · 02-22-2006, 01:57 PM

I looked at a couple of DIYs on removing the front dome light panel. But, mine's not budging. I know in some DIYs, it states that there are two clips in front of the round reading lights, but I can't seem to get to it and the rearview mirror gets in the way. Did anyone else have a tough time removing this? Appreciate the help.

FastAttackNick · 04-28-2006, 10:37 PM

Don't know if you ever got an answer for this - but I gave up on mine. I found no clips either.

robdsl17 · 04-29-2006, 03:40 PM

I thought the same as you. I couldnt find any clips. But I didnt give up. I took me about an hour to get it off. I had to use about 3 small screwdrivers to take it off.

1. twist the mirror out of the way so you can get a screwdriver on the pasenger side of the dome (for some reason i think its easier to take it off when you start with the passenger side).
2. its hard to see, but if you look about 3/4" in from the edge of the chrome trim, you will see a shallow slot. Jam a screwdriver in there carefully.
3. Take another screwdriver and jam it next to the one you just stuck in there. stick it in as far as you can get in and carefully pry it apart (just a little)
4. Take another screwdriver, (or the first one from the passenger side) and jam it in the shallow slot on the drivers side (while the other screwdriver is still stuck in the passenger side). This will be hard since the mirror will be in the way of the first screwdriver.
5. wiggle them around and push the screwdrivers in farther if it doesnt pop.

This took me an hour to do and figure out. Once i figured it out, it takes 2 minutes to pop it off. You just need the right size screwdrivers.

There are 2 clips, but they are really far up in the dome module. they are not near the chrome trim where you stick the screwdrivers. this is why you must push the screwdrivers pretty far in at a 45 or so degree angle.

lenvage · 10-25-2006, 07:35 PM

"Stay the course!!!"
I bought my 330i on 11/05. Ever since I have been trying to get the front dome light panel open so that I could change the bulbs to xenon. I finally succeeded after almost a year. It was an incredible feeling. I did it using a flathead screwdriver not a spatula. Good luck to anyone attempting this task.

02-22-2006, 01:57 PM	#1
mykcheng Enlisted Member 4 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Camarillo, CA iTrader: (0)	Need Help - Can't get front dome off I looked at a couple of DIYs on removing the front dome light panel. But, mine's not budging. I know in some DIYs, it states that there are two clips in front of the round reading lights, but I can't seem to get to it and the rearview mirror gets in the way. Did anyone else have a tough time removing this? Appreciate the help.
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04-28-2006, 10:37 PM	#2
FastAttackNick My other ride gets 2000 nm to the neutron... 2 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia iTrader: (0)	Don't know if you ever got an answer for this - but I gave up on mine. I found no clips either. __________________ __________________ 330i / Premium, Sport, and Cold Weather Packages
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04-29-2006, 03:40 PM	#3
robdsl17 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 07 350z, 06 330xi, 09 335xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I thought the same as you. I couldnt find any clips. But I didnt give up. I took me about an hour to get it off. I had to use about 3 small screwdrivers to take it off. 1. twist the mirror out of the way so you can get a screwdriver on the pasenger side of the dome (for some reason i think its easier to take it off when you start with the passenger side). 2. its hard to see, but if you look about 3/4" in from the edge of the chrome trim, you will see a shallow slot. Jam a screwdriver in there carefully. 3. Take another screwdriver and jam it next to the one you just stuck in there. stick it in as far as you can get in and carefully pry it apart (just a little) 4. Take another screwdriver, (or the first one from the passenger side) and jam it in the shallow slot on the drivers side (while the other screwdriver is still stuck in the passenger side). This will be hard since the mirror will be in the way of the first screwdriver. 5. wiggle them around and push the screwdrivers in farther if it doesnt pop. This took me an hour to do and figure out. Once i figured it out, it takes 2 minutes to pop it off. You just need the right size screwdrivers. There are 2 clips, but they are really far up in the dome module. they are not near the chrome trim where you stick the screwdrivers. this is why you must push the screwdrivers pretty far in at a 45 or so degree angle.
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10-25-2006, 07:35 PM	#4
lenvage Enlisted Member 0 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	"Stay the course!!!" I bought my 330i on 11/05. Ever since I have been trying to get the front dome light panel open so that I could change the bulbs to xenon. I finally succeeded after almost a year. It was an incredible feeling. I did it using a flathead screwdriver not a spatula. Good luck to anyone attempting this task.
	Appreciate 0 Quote