Headlamp Problem

wyshyvanuk · 02-28-2020, 04:23 PM

With all lights turned off, I have a "light out" icon on the dash. If both headlamps are turned on and are lit, the icon is extinguished.
If I turn the headlamps on and off a few times, one of the headlamps won't ignite. The headlamp that doesn't ignite switches from left to right, and back again, and occasionally neither headlamp will ignite. All other lights appear to be working appropriately.
So, what should I replace first, or what is the most likely culprit? Thanks for any help!!!
Ted

wdb · 02-29-2020, 11:30 AM

I did my HID lamps and igniters all at the same time. As long as you're in there do the small bulbs too.

wyshyvanuk · 02-29-2020, 02:42 PM

Jeeees, wdb, i was looking for someone to talk me out of buying the igniters too, not to make me think it's a good idea ;~). Are the ballasts sufficiently bullet-proof to keep them out of the equation? The "small bulbs" are a particularly good idea. Thanks!!

3002 tii · 03-03-2020, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyshyvanuk

Jeeees, wdb, i was looking for someone to talk me out of buying the igniters too, not to make me think it's a good idea ;~). Are the ballasts sufficiently bullet-proof to keep them out of the equation? The "small bulbs" are a particularly good idea. Thanks!!

Ballasts are not easy to access, whereas igniters come off with bulbs. I wouldn't bother touching the ballasts.

wyshyvanuk · 03-03-2020, 10:32 AM

Well, it looks like the strategy will be to order one igniter and those smaller bulbs, and post the results after they are installed. Thanks for your advice!!!!

wyshyvanuk · 04-27-2020, 09:11 PM

Soooo....replaced an igniter on the passenger side. Turned on the lights and both headlamps lit. Left them on for 5 minutes, turned them off, turned them on and neither one lit. Did someone suggest those pesky ballasts?

pungo · 05-01-2020, 10:53 AM

Since both the left and right lights are having intermittent problems, it seems unlikely that a component in the headlight is failing since the parts are totally independent of each other for the left to right headlight. Sounds more like the LCM or the wiring harness. I'd use a schematic and make sure the voltage is making it to the headlight when it is failing. Or as others have suggested, just throw new parts at it, and hope those parts fix it.

The ballast plugs in from under the headlight assembly with the pins pointing straight upward. I've seen the seal on these fail and allow water in the connector causing corrosion, but this is rare and is usually from a front end accident where the headlight was jarred.

wyshyvanuk · 05-01-2020, 12:05 PM

Well, i spoke to a rep from Lightwerkz. His suggestion was to start with new lamps (bulbs) and see the results. Happily, I did not get the impression that he was simply choosing a self-serving solution. A pair of Philips Extreme Vision Gen 2 are on the way. I would not have been so eager to buy the bulbs had I not found a GE bulb when I pulled things apart. May be a perfectly wonderful bulb, but I haven't read many GE recommendations on the boards. Should also mention that way back when this issue started, the symptom was that one or the other headlamp would not ignite while the other one did. Finally degenerated to neither headlamp lighting after they had been on for a bit. I'm guessing that the new lamps won't fix the problem, but next up will be dusting off the multimeter (thanks Pungo!!). Am I correct that the cable that connects to the igniter originates at the ballast? Thanks, again!!

pungo · 05-01-2020, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyshyvanuk

Am I correct that the cable that connects to the igniter originates at the ballast? Thanks, again!!

Yep, there's a large 8 pin connector on the back of the headlamp that supplies power to the ballast, then the ballast has cable that plugs into the igniter.

There also a small connector on the back of the headlight for the auto height motor.

Don't be surprised if many of the wires behind the projector have crumbling insulation from heat. Just paint on some liquid electrical tape.

Over time the projector lens builds up a hazy film on the lens which dramatically reduces the light output.
Unfortunately this requires removing the projector assembly and wiping off the film with a microfiber.
It's pretty easy to remove as there are just 4 nuts holding the projector in.

I'm pretty familiar with these headlights since I've retrofitted a bunch of duel AE for people.

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wyshyvanuk · 05-12-2020, 05:01 PM

Well, I've replaced both headlights bulbs with D2S Philips 85122XV C1 Extreme Vision Gen 2. Both headlights light up, AND re-light after having been on for a bit, then turned off. I'm declaring victory in the headlight war.

HOWEVER, I still have an bulb icon that lights on the dash:
Turn ignition to pos 2 and the icon lights.
Turn lights to parking lights and icon remains lit.
Turn lights to headlights and icon goes off.
Turn lights off and the icon stays off.
New bulbs and igniters have been installed. Are we down to the ballasts (RealOEM = control unit xenon light)?
Pungo, the wiring looks fine with no failing insulation. BTW, the pics of the modified Angel Eyes look spectacular!!
Thanks for any insight, guys!!

02-28-2020, 04:23 PM	#1
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Headlamp Problem With all lights turned off, I have a "light out" icon on the dash. If both headlamps are turned on and are lit, the icon is extinguished. If I turn the headlamps on and off a few times, one of the headlamps won't ignite. The headlamp that doesn't ignite switches from left to right, and back again, and occasionally neither headlamp will ignite. All other lights appear to be working appropriately. So, what should I replace first, or what is the most likely culprit? Thanks for any help!!! Ted
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02-29-2020, 11:30 AM	#2
wdb dances with roads 4718 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	I did my HID lamps and igniters all at the same time. As long as you're in there do the small bulbs too.
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02-29-2020, 02:42 PM	#3
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Jeeees, wdb, i was looking for someone to talk me out of buying the igniters too, not to make me think it's a good idea ;~). Are the ballasts sufficiently bullet-proof to keep them out of the equation? The "small bulbs" are a particularly good idea. Thanks!!
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03-03-2020, 10:32 AM	#5
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Well, it looks like the strategy will be to order one igniter and those smaller bulbs, and post the results after they are installed. Thanks for your advice!!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-27-2020, 09:11 PM	#6
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Soooo....replaced an igniter on the passenger side. Turned on the lights and both headlamps lit. Left them on for 5 minutes, turned them off, turned them on and neither one lit. Did someone suggest those pesky ballasts?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-01-2020, 10:53 AM	#7
pungo Colonel 879 Rep 2,546 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Since both the left and right lights are having intermittent problems, it seems unlikely that a component in the headlight is failing since the parts are totally independent of each other for the left to right headlight. Sounds more like the LCM or the wiring harness. I'd use a schematic and make sure the voltage is making it to the headlight when it is failing. Or as others have suggested, just throw new parts at it, and hope those parts fix it. The ballast plugs in from under the headlight assembly with the pins pointing straight upward. I've seen the seal on these fail and allow water in the connector causing corrosion, but this is rare and is usually from a front end accident where the headlight was jarred.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-01-2020, 12:05 PM	#8
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Well, i spoke to a rep from Lightwerkz. His suggestion was to start with new lamps (bulbs) and see the results. Happily, I did not get the impression that he was simply choosing a self-serving solution. A pair of Philips Extreme Vision Gen 2 are on the way. I would not have been so eager to buy the bulbs had I not found a GE bulb when I pulled things apart. May be a perfectly wonderful bulb, but I haven't read many GE recommendations on the boards. Should also mention that way back when this issue started, the symptom was that one or the other headlamp would not ignite while the other one did. Finally degenerated to neither headlamp lighting after they had been on for a bit. I'm guessing that the new lamps won't fix the problem, but next up will be dusting off the multimeter (thanks Pungo!!). Am I correct that the cable that connects to the igniter originates at the ballast? Thanks, again!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2020, 05:01 PM	#10
wyshyvanuk Second Lieutenant 449 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 MR Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Well, I've replaced both headlights bulbs with D2S Philips 85122XV C1 Extreme Vision Gen 2. Both headlights light up, AND re-light after having been on for a bit, then turned off. I'm declaring victory in the headlight war. HOWEVER, I still have an bulb icon that lights on the dash: Turn ignition to pos 2 and the icon lights. Turn lights to parking lights and icon remains lit. Turn lights to headlights and icon goes off. Turn lights off and the icon stays off. New bulbs and igniters have been installed. Are we down to the ballasts (RealOEM = control unit xenon light)? Pungo, the wiring looks fine with no failing insulation. BTW, the pics of the modified Angel Eyes look spectacular!! Thanks for any insight, guys!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote