Mar 11 -- only retirees have time for this ...

Email sent to provider of new tail-light assembly

 

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I received this tail-light assembly on time but I would like to make a few comments about the workmanship.

Initial installation in the tail-gate went well, good fit and finish for the BMW 2011 X5.  It's got bulky weatherstripping that should keep water out better than the OEM one that let water in so that the internal parts rusted away.  That's why I was replacing it.

However, the wiring harness connector wouldn't fit and taking the assembly off the car, it was apparent that the connectors were mis-aligned so that the prongs on the assembly wouldn't go into the three-pronged harness from the car.

So the next thing that I had to do was remove the bulb carrier in the assembly.  It had been pressed into place crooked from the factory and would not pop out the way that it was supposed to as one side of the carrier was underneath the adjoining part rather than sitting flush.  The only way of getting it out was to break off the plastic spring latch and use a small screwdriver to pry along the side and pop it out.  Once the carrier was out, I could re-install the assembly, attach the the harness connector to the bulb carrier and then put it back into the assembly.  With the carrier out, I could access the prongs from the back side, hold them in alignment and guide them into the connector on the wiring harness.

On the right side of the car is the OEM assembly and it operates properly, the bulb carrier popping out the way that it's supposed to etc. etc.  Even the rusted bulb carrier from the old left-side assembly fit better than this.

Anyway, all's well that ends well.  I didn't want to go through the hassle of return and replacement.  I won't buy this brand of non-OEM part again.

No action required on your end; I just wanted to go on record.  If asked for a review, I can only say that your delivery was on time as promised.