Your tail lights can fail for multiple reasons, one of them being a failed LED driver. Think of them as the manager behind powering your LED taillights, from converting power to precise DC currents, alternating between different brightness levels, preventing overheating, and so much more. All in all, LED drivers are the brain behind your functional taillights. 

So, when an LED driver goes bad, it can cause your taillights to flicker, strobe, or stop working entirely. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of replacing your LED driver, step by step,  starting with relevant information about your car and the tools you’ll need to get started. 

Introduction to BMW X3 F24

The BMW X3 is the second generation of BMW's compact luxury SUV, produced from 2010 to 2017. During its launch, all the models used all-wheel drive, badged as xDrive. It also displayed features, like the powerful TwinPower Turbo engines (inline-4/6), an iDrive infotainment system with navigation, sport seats, a power tailgate, and more. While tech-oriented and driven, BMW X3 F25 owners have reported taillight issues. 

Before we address the issue at hand, it's important to understand the potential symptoms to narrow down the root cause. 

Diagnosing The Issue: & Potential Symptoms 

When your taillight goes out, it can be due to a burnt-out bulb or poor connections, but the most likely culprit is a faulty LED driver. When an LED driver goes bad, the taillight may stop working completely– no flickering, no illumination. This is a warning sign that you should change the LED driver to a new one. To do so, you’ll need a set of tools to DIY replace the LED driver. 

Tools You’ll Need

Before you get started, here’s what you’ll need for a successful replacement: 

  • 8mm socket & ratchet
  • Replacement LED driver (4-pin)
  • Electrical Tape
  • Super glue (optional)

Preparation

After gathering the necessary tools, park your vehicle in an isolated location or your nearest parking lot to avoid blocking traffic. Make sure to come prepared with the necessary tools and gear at hand before you tear anything apart. 

Replacing The LED Driver, Step by Step 

Follow this set of steps to get your taillight back in working condition:

Step 1: Remove the Tail Light 

Prop up the car's boot and locate the plastic panel behind the taillight assembly. Remove it to locate the 8mm nut in the tailgate area, then loosen it with a socket. After that, remove the connected plug to disconnect the taillight from the compartment safely. Disconnecting the attached components will successfully loosen the light assembly from the compartment, ensuring easy access. 

Step 2: Access The LED Module

After detachment, you’ll find a connector attached to the LED module. Sometimes the taillight may stop working due to burnt connectors, so make sure to analyze the wiring and tab before replacing the LED driver.

To replace the faulty LED driver, you’ll have to clean off the liquid tape attached to the sides of the driver. Either by using a cutter or a sharp object, you’ll have to remove the dried tape to set the surface for the new LED driver. 

Step 3: Install The New LED Driver

Connect the detached connector’s plug into the 4-pin LED driver, and fit it into its designated location. Make sure the driver is securely in place. 

Step 4: Test The Light

Connect the LED driver to the previously detached connector and switch the engine and sidelights on. If the taillight lights up, it indicates the replacement was successful, so you can reinstall it into its designated position. 

Step 5: Reinstall the Taillight 

To install the taillight back into place, detach the plug and reattach the 8mm nut removed in the initial step. Next, you’ll connect the taillight back into its compartment and screw the nut with either the socket drill or your fingers. Finally, connect the connector, and your taillight will light up. 

Step 6: Replacing The Other LED Drivers (Optional)

You can also replace the LED drivers of the remaining sidelights and taillights to ensure that they’re in working order before they go out. Driving with a taillight that's out is generally illegal and may result in a traffic stop or citation. 

The Finishing Touches 

Getting your taillights to work can be easy with the Valeo B0038092 PCB LED circuit driver board. Designed to provide high-quality lighting, our LED driver is an upgraded version of the original LED driver. Replaced with heat-resistant chips that won’t succumb due to overheating and eventually degrade, our LED driver ensures smooth integration for vehicles like the BMW X3 F25 SUV Pre-Facelift and Facelift LCI cars with LED tail lights.

With a one-year warranty and quick delivery, our product is designed to ensure you get the best lighting output. For more information on our product, the team at Xenons4U offers a prompt, same-day response to help finalize your purchase with confidence. 

To learn more, visit our website and browse through our products to upgrade your car with reliability. 

Part Number & Compatibility List 

Our module is suitable for a range of vehicles, including 

Valeo PCB board part numbers:

  • B003809.2
  • B0038092

BMW part numbers:

  • Tail light side panel left - 63217217311
  • Tail light trunk lid left - 63217217313
  • Tail light side panel right - 63217217312
  • Tail light trunk lid right - 63217217314

Compatible BMW cars:

  • X3 F25 SUV Pre-Facelift 2010 2011 2012 2013
  • X3 F25 SUV LCI Facelift 2014 2015 2016 2017
  • xDrive20i xDrive28i 3.0 xDrive28i 2.0T xDrive35i petrol gasoline
  • sDrive18d xDrive20d xDrive30d xDrive35d diesel