Thread: Fitting a BMW X5 style reversing camera

Next, to modify the numberplate light.

I forgot to take pix before I started but here are the bits after disassembly of the left hand side.

Top, the lamp holder which clips into the frame, then the frame and below that the lens. The U-shaped item to the right is a cable clamp/guide - more on that later- to bring the wires out of then back into the tailgate.

L322 Numberplate light 1.jpg

The X5 camera/light won't fit into the vacated space and a lot of plastic has to be cut away.

L322 Numberplate camera 1.jpg

When doing this don't make the mistake I made. I accidentally cut off one of the two support/clips for the U-shaped cable guide.

L322 Numberplate camera 3.jpg
Also, ensure you leave a little tab on the left side for the camera lug to locate under.

L322 Numberplate camera 4.jpg

Fitted. The camera slides under the tab I left earlier and clips down on the right hand side.

L322 Numberplate camera 2.jpg

Here you see how the wires loop under the U-shaped clamp/guide.

L322 Numberplate Camera 5.jpg


More to come tomorrow.

I looked at doing as you have done, but decided to just install a small camera lens into the bumper bar, just above the tow bar.
I am going to colour co-ord paint the camera surrounding lip ring it to match the bumper so it will just look like another bumper parking sensor.

That's what I should have done!

To be honest, I hadn't thought of that. All the installs I've seen have been up in the spoiler like later cars or mounted in the lower tailgate - and I didn't want to drill a hole in it.

Your idea is so simple and easy to implement!

Bloody good effort Ron. If it was really easy BMW probably would have included it on the early L322.

Re the tailgate lights I mentioned earlier, I thought I'd change those to LEDs, too. The original wedge base bulbs are 5 watt and get very hot.

One can't just replace them with conventional wedge base LEDs as the light will be going out the end of the lamp, not out the side. I happened to have a couple of flat LEDs left over from my P38A LED conversion.

The LEDs are double sided. That's OK, the metal cover is slid back on and reflects some of the backside light out. The cover does get warm so I might mask off the contacts to the LEDs on the back face. Maybe.

The pic shows one lamp ready for the cover to be refitted. The object in the middle is the LED side view.

L322 Tailgate Lamps.jpg

Oh, I'm not convinced about the lamp removal method shown in the owner's manual. The retaining clip is at the end opposite the contacts. Levering the lamp assembly out from the side is, in my view, wrong.

tailgate light.JPG
I'm pretty sure the owner's manual is wrong (same page) when it comes to removing the front courtesy/map light assembly - I've tried it and I thought I was going to break it. The handbook again says to lever from the side. I believe you have to lever from the rear, that's where the clips are. An alternative method, I'm told, is to flip out one of the vents and poke your finger inside to push out the lamp assembly.

map light.JPG

Back to the reversing camera tomorrow.

Originally Posted by rar110

Bloody good effort Ron. If it was really easy BMW probably would have included it on the early L322.

Madness, Pete. Mario's idea is much more betterer!

Don't ask why I persevered. The Aspie in me, I suppose.

Oh, I should say DON'T CLOSE THE TAILGATE WITH THE LAMP/SWITCH ASSEMBLY REMOVED!

Ask me how I know. Crawling in from the back seat under the loadspace cover when there is a fridge in the way, to get to the emergency tailgate release is for slimmer, younger people than I.

Edit: Yes, I did try the dashboard lock/unlock button but it didn't work. I use it regularly so I don't know why it didn't this time.

My version of an auxiliary camera, switchable instead of the surround system cameras.
RRV rear aux camera.jpg

Where did you run the wiring, Graeme?