Lamp out warning

[WayneS]

So I've had a lamp out warning for awhile now and haven't been able to find anything out except the light circled in the attached. Both went out at or close to the same time? Are these what's considered the Parking Light? (63127170858)

[Daemonblitz]

That "light" is just a dummy. for cosmetic purpose only, no bulb there. It has to be a different light somewhere on the car.

[WayneS]

Originally Posted by Daemonblitz

That "light" is just a dummy. for cosmetic purpose only, no bulb there. It has to be a different light somewhere on the car.

Ok, i thought that might me the case. I've gone through everything on the car and can't find one out, must be one going.

[PbFut]

Could also be the ballast or exciter if you have the xenon option. I went through a issue with one. It requires removing front bumper to access and is sort of a PITA without a lift if you are an old guy like me. The access port won't allow the unbolting of the can on the bottom of the light housing so bumper removal makes things very easy. They can be pricey but a Amazon search will come up with some China made options that were 1/10 the price and worked perfect. It also provides a chance to tighten up the panel alignment if needed. I took my time and netted a very satisfying Saturday project result.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by WayneS

So I've had a lamp out warning for awhile now and haven't been able to find anything out except the light circled in the attached. Both went out at or close to the same time? Are these what's considered the Parking Light? (63127170858)

Originally Posted by Daemonblitz

That "light" is just a dummy. for cosmetic purpose only, no bulb there. It has to be a different light somewhere on the car.

There IS a bulb in there. It's used as the day time running light (DRL). It takes a BA9S 10w Halogen bulb. If they are original, you'll have to file a little on the black plastic holder to remove the bulb. Many people swap them out for LEDs, though that would require coding so you don't get an error. Search for BA9S, in this forum for additional details.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by pungo

There IS a bulb in there. It's used as the day time running light (DRL). It takes a BA9S 10w Halogen bulb. If they are original, you'll have to file a little on the black plastic holder to remove the bulb. Many people swap them out for LEDs, though that would require coding so you don't get an error. Search for BA9S, in this forum for additional details.

That’s correct. But they are quite dim and really just cosmetic. If you are interested in having a daytime running light to make your car more visible in traffic, these are quite useless. A better option is to get the car programmed for the Canadian spec daytime running light option where the main xenons will light up regardless of the dash switch position - full lights come on with the switch in auto and when it starts to get dark.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

That’s correct. But they are quite dim and really just cosmetic. If you are interested in having a daytime running light to make your car more visible in traffic, these are quite useless. A better option is to get the car programmed for the Canadian spec daytime running light option where the main xenons will light up regardless of the dash switch position - full lights come on with the switch in auto and when it starts to get dark.

Agreed, the stock AE rings are a joke, but the OP wants to turn the error off and replacing the failed AE bulbs will do that which is the reason for this thread.

Just so you know, the Xenon bulbs put out a lot of heat and running them full time day and night can deteriorate the internal wiring around the projector causing the insulation to crumble. I've see many headlights where the insulation was falling off, several were from running them as DRLs. YMMV

For better AE output, install dual AE LED rings.


someone tried repairing one with electrical tape










This type of LED bulb can replace the stock AE bulb and improve the output (will need to code out the error)

• KALTUEBERWACHUNG_FL - COLD MONITORING OF HIGH BEAMS= nicht_aktiv
• WARMUEBERWACHUNG_FL - HOT MONITORING OF HIGH BEAMS=nicht_aktiv

[Huz-Z]

I wasn’t aware of that but it’s good to know. All cars sold in Canada are coded to run their zenons constantly to meet Canadian drl regulations so that must be an issue here re degraded insulation. My car came from Florida and still has the US drl coding. If I turn on the park lights I can use fog lights as drls without lighting the zenons.

Who installs those neat halos and how costly is it?

Cheers!!

[WayneS]

So to follow up on this pungo was correct, that was the bulb that was causing the problem. I bought a new one from BMW but once I got it out I see that it would have been easy to just replace the bulb and not the entire bulb/holder.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by pungo

There IS a bulb in there. It's used as the day time running light (DRL). It takes a BA9S 10w Halogen bulb. If they are original, you'll have to file a little on the black plastic holder to remove the bulb. Many people swap them out for LEDs, though that would require coding so you don't get an error. Search for BA9S, in this forum for additional details.

Originally Posted by WayneS

So to follow up on this pungo was correct, that was the bulb that was causing the problem. I bought a new one from BMW but once I got it out I see that it would have been easy to just replace the bulb and not the entire bulb/holder.

That's what I tried to tell you, it takes a BA9S bulb. Well, at least you got it sorted, even if you bought the holder from BMW.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by pungo

That's what I tried to tell you, it takes a BA9S bulb. Well, at least you got it sorted, even if you bought the holder from BMW.

LOL!

[meh92]

I just replaced my DRL last month bulb and WOW, that was an expensive bulb! Just my luck, one of the headlight ballasts died not too long afterwards.