Parts and Accessories

Installation Instructions

F 53 0001 WW

Retrofit removable towing hitch

BMW X5 (E 53) ECE
Specialist knowledge required.

Retrofit/Installation kit No. 76 60 0 007 027 Date: 03.2000

Order No. 01 29 0 017 414
Table of contents
Section Page
1. Important information ..................................................................................................17
1.1 Parts overview..............................................................................................................19
2. Retrofit removable towing hitch....................................................................................20
2.1 Preparations ................................................................................................................21
2.2 Connection overview for additional wiring harness ......................................................22
2.3 To install the removable towing hitch ..........................................................................23
2.4 To install the additional wiring harness ........................................................................26
2.5 Function test ................................................................................................................28
3. Circuit diagram ............................................................................................................29

Retrofit/Installation kit No. 76 60 0 007 027 Date: 03.2000

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1. Important information

These installation instructions describe the BMW X5 (E53) towing hitch, from stage 2.
For stage 1 cars the towing hitch retrofit kit 71 60 0 017 290 must also be installed.
(Only for use within the BMW dealer organisation)
The installation time is approx. 225 minutes.
The installation time may vary depending on the condition of the car and the equipment in it.

The body sealant and underseal is to be removed with a spatula from all the body contact
points for the towing hitch.Then clean the areas with benzene. Coat bare metal areas with
body anti-corrosion paint.
Care and maintenance instructions are given in the owner’s manual for the towing hitch.
The details supplied by the vehicle manufacturer regarding the trailer load and nose weight
and must be observed for towing – do not exceed the tested values.
The weight data for the towing hitch set out in the EC licence are listed on the model plate.
The trailer loads set out in the vehicle documents apply for all types of trailers. Depending on
the model, higher trailer loads are possible with certain trailers (for example boat trailers, glider
transport trailers, car transport trailers and horse transport trailers for sports purposes); further
details are available from your BMW dealer.

Target group
The target group for these installation instructions comprises personnel trained on BMW cars.

Work
All servicing, repair, installation and adjustment work on cars is completed on your own
responsibility.
All work is to be completed with the help of the latest BMW
- Repair instructions, - Circuit diagrams,
- Servicing manuals, - Work instructions
- Diagnostics manuals
in a rational sequence and using the prescribed tools (special tools) and in compliance with
current health and safety regulations.

Installation instructions
If the specified pins or chambers are occupied, bridges, double crimps or parallel terminal
leads are to be used. Use the installation routes shown in the car to avoid possible faults.
Never use so-called ”Scotchlock quick release connectors” since they may cause faults in the
vehicle’s electrical system.
The installation work is shown for a left-hand drive model. In some cases the installation work
will have to be completed the opposite way round on a right-hand drive model.

Keep to the tightening torque values for screw connections.The required tightening torque
values are listed in the part information system (TIS).

Screw connection instructions

Position all nuts and screws by hand, first tighten them loosely and align the towing hitch.
Tighten the nuts and screws in the following order:
1. Flanged nuts for the towing hitch/rear panel
2. Hexagonal screws M10 x 30 and M10 x 85 side members / underside of the car
3. Hexagonal screws M10 x 30 side members / boot
4. Hexagonal screws M8 x 20 ball hitch holder / boot

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1. Important information

Ensure that the cables are not kinked or damaged as you install them in the car since
otherwise they may also cause faults, which will later require a great deal of work to localise
them.
The costs of this work will not be reimbursed by BMW.

Tools and equipment required

- Straight slot screwdriver
- Philips screwdriver
- Reversible ratchet with hexagonal sockets sizes 8 mm, 10 mm, 13 mm and 16 mm
- TORX screwdrivers T20 and T55
- Torque wrench

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1.1 Parts overview

Item Description Quantity

a Additional wiring harness 1

b Base section of removable towing hitch for the BMW X5 (E53) ECE 1
c Left support 1
d Right support 1
e Spacer plate 2
f Bumper mounting 2
g Hexagonal screw M8 x 20 – 8.8 2
h Hexagonal screw M10 x 30 – 10.9 6
i Hexagonal screw M10 x 50 – 10.9 4
k Hexagonal screw M10 x 85 – 10.9 2
l Hexagonal screw M10 x 130 – 10.9 4
m Washer 10.5 x 25 x 3 8
n Nut M10 with integrated washer (alternatively flanged nut M10 with washer 10.5 x 30 x 3) 8
o Nose weight label 1
p Information label for using the ball hitch 1
q Ball hitch 1
r Ball hitch holder 1
s Ball protection cap 1
t Stopper 1
u Felt underlay 1
v Socket, 13-pin 1
w Trailer module AHM, 13-pin 1
x Cheese-head screw M5 x 35 3
y Cable tape 292 mm 2
z Cable tape 200 mm 3
aa Installation instructions 1

The spacer plates under item e have been eliminated from the series.The design of the
base part (b) has been adjusted accordingly.

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2. Retrofit removable towing hitch
Notes
Refer to the safety instructions in section 1.
The installation work for the accessory is based on the conventional workshop information.

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2.1 Preparations

Print out the error memory.

Disconnect the battery. 12 000
Raise the floor flap.
Remove the spare wheel.
Remove the boot trims on both sides. 51 47 151
Remove the boot trim on the rear panel.
Remove the rear bumper. 51 12 000
Carefully remove the exhausts and heat shields on both sides. 18 10 031

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2.2 Connection overview for additional wiring harness

A1
a A2

F 53 0018 WW

Item Design / Description Connection location in the car Abbreviation / Slot

a Additional wiring harness - -

A1 Black 12-pin socket casing Connection plug X393s -
A2 13-pin trailer socket Socket support plate / X630
towing hitch

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2.3 To install the removable towing hitch

Insert the left support (c) into the left side

member.
Insert the right support in the same way into
c the right side member.

F 53 0002 WW

Tighten the left support (c) by hand with the

screw M10 x 85 (k) and washer (m) and screw
M10 x 30 (h) and washer (m). Do the same with
the right support.

The supports differ for the left and right.

The positioning bolt on the supports must
point inwards.
m m c
h k
F 53 0003 WW

Insert the screws M10 x 50 (i) into the base

i f section (b) and insert the screws M10 x 130 (l)
into the bumper mounting (f).
Bend the lugs on the screw cages with a
b hammer to secure the screws.
i l l

F 53 0004 WW

Before continuing with the installation of

the towing hitch, first install the additional wiring
harness as described in 2.4 To install the addi-
n tional wiring harness.

See the note on spacer plates e in

section 1.1.
e
e Secure the base section (b) by hand from the
b boot using the spacer plates (e), bumper moun-
f f tings (f) and nuts with integrated washers (n).The
long end of the U-shaped section must point
F 53 0005 WW downwards on the bumper mountings (f).
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2.3 To install the removable towing hitch

Secure two screws M10 x 30 (h) and washers

h 10.5 x 25 x 3 (m) on each side by hand through
the side members at position I from the boot.
h m h The screws and washers are essential for safety
h reasons.
h m h
m Align the towing hitch
Tighten the nuts and screws in the following
m order (see the TIS for details of the tightening
I m torque values).

1.Tighten the nuts (n) with integrated washers

m o (four on each side, see Figure F 53 0005 WW)
F 53 0006 WW for securing the towing hitch to the rear panel.
2.Tighten the screws (h and k) in the side
members (see Figure B).
3.Tighten the screws (h) in the boot.

Affix the nose weight label (o) on the inside of

the tailgate between the section strips.

Before installing the bumper, refit the exhausts

and the heat shields on both sides.
Install the bumper.The Torx screws (1) you
previously removed are now to be bolted to
the towing hitch.
Torque: 55 Nm.

1
1 F 53 0007 WW

Bolt the ball hitch holder (r) to the left-hand side

g member in the boot using screws M8 x 20 (g)
(see the TIS for details of the tightening torque
values).
r Affix the label (p) giving details of how to use the
ball hitch (q) to the underside of the load floor.
u Affix the felt underlay (u) to the position at which
the ball on the ball hitch comes into contact with
the boot floor in position II.
g
II

F 53 0008 WW

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2.3 To install the removable towing hitch

If the ball hitch is needed, the following instruc-

tions must be followed to install the towing hitch:
Owner’s manual for the ball hitch
Instructions on the label for how to use the ball
hitch

If the ball hitch is not needed it is to be placed in

the ball hitch holder in the position shown in the
figure. Close the ball hitch holder and check that
the ball hitch is secure.The ball hitch must be
inserted firmly to ensure that it cannot come
loose accidentally (for example if the car brakes
hard).
F 53 0009 WW

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2.4 To install the additional wiring harness

Remove the blind stopper (1).

F 53 0010 WW

Thread the cables on the additional wiring

harness (a) through the hole (2) and insert the
rubber grommet (3) on the additional wiring
2 3 a harness (a) into the hole (2).

The rubber grommet (3) must be inserted

firmly into the hole (2) to prevent the ingress of
water.
If necessary seal it with silicon.

F 53 0011 WW

Lay the cables on the additional wiring harness

(a) along the standard wiring harness to the
4 12-pin plug casing X393s (4) at the rear right.
Connect the 12-pin socket casing (A1) on the
additional wiring harness (a) to the 12-pin plug
A1 casing X393s (4).
z A1 Secure the additional wiring harness (a) to the
z za standard cables in the car using cable ties (z).
4

F 53 0012 WW

a Position the socket (v) with the intermediate

y section (5) on to the trailer plug A2 and secure it
in position (III) on the socket holder plate for the
towing hitch using the cheese-head screws (x).
Secure the additional wiring harness (a) to the
cross tube using cable tape (y).

III
a
5 v x

A2 F 53 0013 WW

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2.4 To install the additional wiring harness

Remove the spare wheel holder (6). Remove the

6 7 four screws (7) to do so.
7 Move the holder to the rear.

Move the holder to the rear.

7
7

F 53 0014 WW

Remove the plastic cover plate (8).

9 Remove the three screws (9) to do so.

8 9

F 53 0015 WW

Remove the plastic support plate (10).

Remove the three screws (11) and only loosen
the screw (12) to do so.
11 Carefully take out the plastic support plate (10).

Ensure that the connected cables are not

10 damaged.
11
11 12

F 53 0016 WW

Clip the trailer module (w) on to the plastic

support plate (13).
Clip the black 15-pin socket casing X609 (14)
on to the trailer module (w).

14 Ensure that the black 15-pin socket casing

X609 (14) is engaged in position.

w
13 F 53 0017 WW
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2.5 Function test

Replace all the parts you have removed in reverse order.

Install the ball head as described in the enclosed owner’s manual and ensure that it moves
easily and can be secured properly.

Check the light signals on the trailer socket.

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3. Circuit diagram

A3 Light module
A6 Trailer module
A48 Fuse holder III

E16 Tail light, left

E17 Tail light, right

X12 Light module A

X38 Light module B
X318 Tail light, right
X319 Tail light, left
X393 Body trailer module
X494 Earth VII
X498 Earth VIII
X609 Trailer module
X1986 Body ground post 30 < fuse 205
X10017 Fuse holder III A48
X10117 Light module C

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 Sicherungshalter III

50A
F78
A3

20A

F205
AG

Lichtmodul
AHM-LM
A48
X1986 30<78
KS30<F205 35 KAR 14 KAR
30<F205
KAR
X10117 X10017

Stützpunkt B (+) HINTEN

4.0 0.35
RT BLBRGE

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X609
8 13 KAR
30<F205 AHM-LM

A3 A6

AHM

Lichtmodul
58HL 49HL 58HR 54HR 49AL 55A

Retrofit/Installation kit No. 76 60 0 007 027

49HR 58HL 49HL 58HR 54R 49HR 31L<VIII 49AR 58AR 54A 58AL RSA
2 8 KAR KAR 17 14 12 KAR 11 12 14 9 10 15 7 3 5 6 1 4 2 KAR
X12 X10117 X38 X609

Date: 02.2000
0.5 0.75 0.5 0.75 0.75 0.5 0.75 0.5 0.75 0.75 1.0 0.75 1.0 0.75 0.75 1.0 0.75 0.75 2.5
GRVI BLGN GRWS SWBL BLBR GRVI BLGN GRWS SWBL BLBR BR BLRT GERT BLGE GRRT SWWS GRSW GEBL RTBL

2.5 BR

2.5 BR

31L<VII 31L<VII 49AL 55A 49AR 58AR 54A 58AL RSA 30<78 X393S
12 3 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 KAR

X319 X318
3 4 KAR 4 2 3 KAR
58HL 49HL 58HR 54R 49HR
S S S S S
E16 E17

Heckleuchte Li.
Heckleuchte Re.
F 53 0019 WW
X498 X494
Masse-VIII Masse-VIII
- -
KAR KAR

DE/14