Headlight not working intermittently. Need new bulb?

GP20 · 01-15-2013, 05:06 PM

My passenger side headlight has been acting up.

When the car's cold (or somewhat cold), I start the car and turn on the headlights, no issue. But if I turn off the car, and then immediately start the car again and turn on the headlights, the passenger side headlight would not go on intermittently, and there's the bulb warning light in the instrument cluster. If I wait another 5~10 minutes or so, the issue would go away.

Has anyone else experienced the same? Is it something a new bulb will fix? Or is it possibly the wirings or connectors or a software issue?

inTgr8r · 01-15-2013, 05:11 PM

most likely the bulb but could be ballast
To check ballast, switch the R/L ballasts & see if the problem changes sides

GP20 · 01-15-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

most likely the bulb but could be ballast
To check ballast, switch the R/L ballasts & see if the problem changes sides

Good idea! Thanks for the quick reply.

The ballast is the number 3 item in the diagram?

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...66&hg=63&fg=05

inTgr8r · 01-15-2013, 07:09 PM

tbalutis · 01-16-2013, 09:18 AM

Had the same experience when the car was still under warranty. Dealer fixed it, did not elaborate, but it has been 35k miles since and no further problems.

tommiegun57 · 01-17-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP20

My passenger side headlight has been acting up.

When the car's cold (or somewhat cold), I start the car and turn on the headlights, no issue. But if I turn off the car, and then immediately start the car again and turn on the headlights, the passenger side headlight would not go on intermittently, and there's the bulb warning light in the instrument cluster. If I wait another 5~10 minutes or so, the issue would go away.

Has anyone else experienced the same? Is it something a new bulb will fix? Or is it possibly the wirings or connectors or a software issue?

Similar problem. Blub replacement fixed. Try switching bulbs( L-R).

01-15-2013, 05:06 PM	#1
GP20 Major Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 1,127 iTrader: (4)	Headlight not working intermittently. Need new bulb? My passenger side headlight has been acting up. When the car's cold (or somewhat cold), I start the car and turn on the headlights, no issue. But if I turn off the car, and then immediately start the car again and turn on the headlights, the passenger side headlight would not go on intermittently, and there's the bulb warning light in the instrument cluster. If I wait another 5~10 minutes or so, the issue would go away. Has anyone else experienced the same? Is it something a new bulb will fix? Or is it possibly the wirings or connectors or a software issue? __________________ '08 BMW Z4///MC 18" & 19" BBS RGR's\|Michelin PS2's\|TCK DA's 450/500\|OEM CF spoiler\|Aero side-skirts\|REMUS exhaust\|OEM STB\| '06 BMW Z4///MR (sold) '04 BMW Z4 3.0i 6sp SMG (lemon) '03 BMW Z4 2.5i non-sport (sold)
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01-15-2013, 05:11 PM	#2
inTgr8r Major General Drives: 07 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,111 iTrader: (6)	most likely the bulb but could be ballast To check ballast, switch the R/L ballasts & see if the problem changes sides __________________ Alpinweiss '07 M Coupe •Eisenmann Sport-Ceramic Black•Diablo-X•Fabspeed Headers•VRS Hyper-Narrow rear wing•Autosolutions SSK•APR splitter•Tekarbon headlights•StrongStrut STB•KW Clubsport•Poly FCAB/RTAB•Volk Racing G2•Direzza ZII•Stoptech BBK c/w Cool Carbon pads

01-16-2013, 09:18 AM	#5
tbalutis fotontom Drives: 2006 M Roadster / 1999 XK8 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Surf City, CA Posts: 213 iTrader: (1)	Had the same experience when the car was still under warranty. Dealer fixed it, did not elaborate, but it has been 35k miles since and no further problems. __________________ ACS exhaust / styled 19" wheels / factory hardtop / ultimate pedals / factory strut bar / aero skirts / aFe / Jaffster / gauges / factory Euro-spec mirrors / P3 Digital Interface

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01-15-2013, 07:09 PM	#4
inTgr8r Major General Drives: 07 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,111 iTrader: (6)