Weird Headlight Issue - help!

[e86nut]

My drivers side headlight seems to be not working quite right. A part of the beam doesn't seem to be projecting (the right headlight works fine). This leads to an uneven projection of light. Turning on brights fixes this but I'm not sure what the actual issue is. Here is a picture to demonstrate what I'm experiencing. I've drawn a red line to indicate how the projection of light is uneven between the left and right sides. Essentially on the drivers side, I can't see past maybe 10 feet forward. Thanks!

[Piper1]

Originally Posted by e86nut

My drivers side headlight seems to be not working quite right. A part of the beam doesn't seem to be projecting (the right headlight works fine). This leads to an uneven projection of light. Turning on brights fixes this but I'm not sure what the actual issue is. Here is a picture to demonstrate what I'm experiencing. I've drawn a red line to indicate how the projection of light is uneven between the left and right sides. Essentially on the drivers side, I can't see past maybe 10 feet forward. Thanks!

First check if the driver side head light level sensor is intact located at rear drivers side, passenger side is located front passenger side.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...or-37146784697

[3002 tii]

Driver side is by design supposed to be lower so you don’t blind oncoming traffic. You can always manually adjust them higher

[pungo]

The vertical headlight adjuster pivot may be broken. This is common due to heat cycles from the bulb on the plastic makes it brittle over time. A mild front impact can also cause them to break.

[e86nut]

Originally Posted by pungo

The vertical headlight adjuster pivot may be broken. This is common due to heat cycles from the bulb on the plastic makes it brittle over time. A mild front impact can also cause them to break.

Attachment 3227329

Attachment 3227330

Do you have a part number? Also does this mean that I need to take apart the headlight assembly?

[pungo]

Originally Posted by e86nut

Do you have a part number? Also does this mean that I need to take apart the headlight assembly?

AFAIK, that part is not available separately, but someone correct me if I'm wrong. Not sure if that same part is used in other models

I bought replacements made from metal for my E39, but they made way more E39s than E85/E86 so the aftermarket parts are available.

You can remove the part through access panel in the rear of the headlight though it would be way easier with the headlight on the workbench. I'd at least look at the part through the access panel to see if it's broken, there could be some other issue?

I've JB welded several broken ones for clients when retrofitting dual LED angel eyes, many didn't even know it was broken. AFAIK, they have held up...

[e86nut]

Originally Posted by Piper1

First check if the driver side head light level sensor is intact located at rear drivers side, passenger side is located front passenger side.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...or-37146784697

For some reason I cannot find the driver's side sensor for the life of me. Is there a specific place? I can clearly see the passenger side behind the front passenger wheel

[pungo]

Originally Posted by e86nut

For some reason I cannot find the driver's side sensor for the life of me. Is there a specific place? I can clearly see the passenger side behind the front passenger wheel

There's only one sensor in the front and one in the rear. Both headlights level work in unison, meaning they don't level independently of each other so I doubt your low left headlight has anything to do with the level sensors. There's a motor to raise and lower the headlight internals and it may have failed and is stuck in the down position?

[Aloyouis2]

Based on my experience with BMW headlights that pattern you showed is normal.

[B328iC]

Is there a way to test the motor that raises the headlight & lowers it?

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Aloyouis2

Based on my experience with BMW headlights that pattern you showed is normal.

Based on my experience, BMW headlights have the same or very similar light pattern as other vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlight projectors.
There's a slight upward light pattern to the right (for LHD) on each headlight, to help light up road signs.
The OP pic is not a normal pattern so something is way off.

I see this is a 6 month old topic, so hopefully the OP has resolved their issue, but just neglected to provide the resolution

Proper Bi-Xenon light pattern:

[pungo]

Originally Posted by B328iC

Is there a way to test the motor that raises the headlight & lowers it?

inpa or ista+