Xenon flashing problem.

**shimmy** · 04-11-2014, 10:54 PM

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...50&hg=63&fg=05

since my last euro trip where i spent every evening driving up behind people and flashing them (not through choice) I've just remembered i need to get it sorted.

So the right xenon will first be ok, then flash a bit then go off and warning light come on (car with light out symbol).

Left is ok

I have a feeling its a loose or worn connection or cable, anybody had anything similar and fixed it?

**glendog74** · 05-11-2014, 09:32 AM

I had the same issue on my blue M3. It's quite common according to threads on cutters.

I had to have a new xenon bulb fitted to sort it.

**DazBlackCSL** · 05-11-2014, 10:26 AM

Is it linked to the dogging you've been doing in it ?

mistergav · 05-11-2014, 11:10 AM

I had the same issue, I replaced a most of the xenon components in my left headlight but it ended up being the bulb.. Wish I checked that first....

I would swap the bulbs over and see if the problem moves to the other headlight.

Cheers,

Gav

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimmy

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...50&hg=63&fg=05

since my last euro trip where i spent every evening driving up behind people and flashing them (not through choice) I've just remembered i need to get it sorted.

So the right xenon will first be ok, then flash a bit then go off and warning light come on (car with light out symbol).

Left is ok

I have a feeling its a loose or worn connection or cable, anybody had anything similar and fixed it?

**glendog74** · 05-11-2014, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DazBlackCSL

Is it linked to the dogging you've been doing in it ?

**cantfind1** · 06-11-2014, 10:19 PM

Yep swap globes over....then swap igniters over if you get no joy with the globes.....if its not one of those then its the controller. Controller on the near side is easy to get to.....opposite side is a bit more difficult as it sits under the headlight.

Then again the igniters are a bitch to get to as well!

Good luck!

**shimmy** · 06-11-2014, 10:30 PM

all very helpful, thanks guys and gals

terraphantm · 12-11-2014, 04:06 AM

Could be a lot of things. In the case of my own M3, it ended up being that the igniter wasn't making good contact with the bulb's grounding ring. I bent the 3 outer pins towards the center, and the problem never came back for me.

Alx · 12-11-2014, 06:27 AM

My recently acquired E46 Alpina B3 has the same problem.

I suspect it is the lamp or the ballast.

It will go to the dealer next week.

Regards,
Alex

**shimmy** · 23-11-2014, 05:34 PM

Tried to swap xenon lamps today to see if it cured it but couldn't for the life of me get the rear cover off the driver side xenon.

not enough room

Couldn't also get the full lamp unit out as one bolt had rusted in.

Gonna have to buy a replacement lamp and check one side only.

04-11-2014, 10:54 PM	#1
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	Xenon flashing problem. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...50&hg=63&fg=05 since my last euro trip where i spent every evening driving up behind people and flashing them (not through choice) I've just remembered i need to get it sorted. So the right xenon will first be ok, then flash a bit then go off and warning light come on (car with light out symbol). Left is ok I have a feeling its a loose or worn connection or cable, anybody had anything similar and fixed it? __________________ .

05-11-2014, 09:32 AM	#2
glendog74 CSL Register Uber-poster! Tetris Champion! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornwall Posts: 8,861 Casino cash: $32299	I had the same issue on my blue M3. It's quite common according to threads on cutters. I had to have a new xenon bulb fitted to sort it. __________________ Cha'mone Mother F**ker!

05-11-2014, 10:26 AM	#3
DazBlackCSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Shaboogling Posts: 7,199 Casino cash: $28478	Is it linked to the dogging you've been doing in it ? __________________ CSL Register Lifestyle Coach and Social Secretary

06-11-2014, 10:30 PM	#7
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	all very helpful, thanks guys and gals __________________ .

12-11-2014, 06:27 AM	#9
Alx S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 487 Casino cash: $25206	My recently acquired E46 Alpina B3 has the same problem. I suspect it is the lamp or the ballast. It will go to the dealer next week. Regards, Alex __________________ ///Alex

06-11-2014, 10:19 PM	#6
cantfind1 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 675 Casino cash: $6490	Yep swap globes over....then swap igniters over if you get no joy with the globes.....if its not one of those then its the controller. Controller on the near side is easy to get to.....opposite side is a bit more difficult as it sits under the headlight. Then again the igniters are a bitch to get to as well! Good luck!

12-11-2014, 04:06 AM	#8
terraphantm S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 40 Casino cash: $400	Could be a lot of things. In the case of my own M3, it ended up being that the igniter wasn't making good contact with the bulb's grounding ring. I bent the 3 outer pins towards the center, and the problem never came back for me.

23-11-2014, 05:34 PM	#10
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	Tried to swap xenon lamps today to see if it cured it but couldn't for the life of me get the rear cover off the driver side xenon. not enough room Couldn't also get the full lamp unit out as one bolt had rusted in. Gonna have to buy a replacement lamp and check one side only. __________________ .