One headlight won't work on Auto - xenons

dan yeates · Post by **dan yeates** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 12:07 pm

Hi all,

I have a strange problem with my Z4 M.

I have automatic bi-xenon headlights and I’ve noticed a bulb warning light is sometimes illuminated on the dash. I stopped to have a look at the front of the car and only one light was lit up when the lights were on auto. (angel eye sidelight was on, but not the dipped beam). If I switch the lights to “on” rather than auto, then both headlights work ok and the bulb warning light goes out.

Any ideas what’s going on?!

Dan

D4dawg · Post by **D4dawg** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 12:43 pm

Dodgy starter ballast perhaps

Try swapping sides

dan yeates · Post by **dan yeates** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:13 pm

Thanks, will have a look at that tonight.

D4dawg · Post by **D4dawg** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:15 pm

Ps far easier with wheel off or on full lock
They simply twist off end of bulb

Denis O · Post by **Denis O** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 3:14 pm

My X5 did exactly this. 1 light would go out after an hour or so. My Indy had a look, couldn't sort it so I stopped using auto lights. Never a problem after that and only a minor inconvenience.

dan yeates · Post by **dan yeates** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:35 pm

Well, I update this thread, the car failed it's MOT last week as one headlight wouldn't work on both "auto" and "on" although it would work on one or the other!

Had a play around tonight, swapping the controller, driver and then the bulbs from side to side. I finally managed to move the problem when I swapped bulbs. So I've got a new set of bulbs on order which I hope will sort the issue.

D4dawg · Post by **D4dawg** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:19 pm

dan yeates wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:35 pm Well, I update this thread, the car failed it's MOT last week as one headlight wouldn't work on both "auto" and "on" although it would work on one or the other!

Had a play around tonight, swapping the controller, driver and then the bulbs from side to side. I finally managed to move the problem when I swapped bulbs. So I've got a new set of bulbs on order which I hope will sort the issue.

Osram night breakers ds2;)

D4dawg · Post by **D4dawg** » Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:21 pm

Ps dear God man 6 months to get round to swapping bulbs over
Id have sorted the same day haha

dan yeates · Post by **dan yeates** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 8:35 am

D4dawg wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:21 pm Ps dear God man 6 months to get round to swapping bulbs over
Id have sorted the same day haha

Haha! Well, they do both work when first switched on. But if I went from "Auto" to "Off" and then to "On" then only one would work. And vice versa. Seeing as I always left them on "on" then it wasn't really an issue. Both always worked! It was only when it went in for an MOT that he switched them into each position that it failed as one light went out.

I'm getting some D2S Osram Nightbreakers on order now

I've also ordered some BMW sidelights (at £66 for a pair!) as the previous owner had fitted LEDs and the MOT man said they were too blue. I prefer the look of the original halogen angeleye lights anyway.

dan yeates · Post by **dan yeates** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 8:37 am

Thought it was easier to remove the bumper than work through that tiny hole in the wheel arch!

: Front Bumper Removed.jpg (127.16 KiB) Viewed 1624 times

D4dawg · Post by **D4dawg** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 5:12 pm

Haha good boy
Expect pics
And you'll love the osram
As v long and bright light

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:11 pm

Nightbreakers worth an upgrade over the standard xenon bulbs?

I have no reason to believe mine have ever been changed, and they aren't exactly impressing me with the light output. Just considering if it's actually worth changing the bulbs before dropping £80 on them!

dan yeates · Post by **dan yeates** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:59 pm

mjennings23 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:11 pm Nightbreakers worth an upgrade over the standard xenon bulbs?

I have no reason to believe mine have ever been changed, and they aren't exactly impressing me with the light output. Just considering if it's actually worth changing the bulbs before dropping £80 on them!

I bought mine on Amazon, they were £71, but have just gone up by a fiver.

I’ve got a bit of a drive to do tonight, so will probably take the Z4M. I’ll report back with how good the headlights are. Although I haven’t used the Z4M in the dark for so long, I’ve no idea what the original headlights were like!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... TF8&psc=1

D4dawg · Post by **D4dawg** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:20 pm

mjennings23 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:11 pm Nightbreakers worth an upgrade over the standard xenon bulbs?

I have no reason to believe mine have ever been changed, and they aren't exactly impressing me with the light output. Just considering if it's actually worth changing the bulbs before dropping £80 on them!

Trust me buddy
Wider and far longer light spread and far brighter by far!
Plus hid bulbs ave life is 10 yrs so most going pop now

dan yeates · Post by **dan yeates** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:21 pm

Ended up taking my TVR out instead. Will report back over the weekend if I manage to take the Z out in the dark!

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