Adaptive Headlights Not Working - Any way to check failure point?

[M3to335]

Recently my wifes 135 blew an orange corner bulb on the passanger side. I swapped it out and it worked fine. After firing the car back up and driving it around, the adaptive headlight warning came on. Now it wont light up when turing the wheel left/right.

Everything else seems to work;
Low/High beams
Auto Level (up/down) on start-up
Angel Eyes, etc.

Is there a way to troubleshoot what the failure point is? I'd drop it off at the dealership but the damn car is 2 months out of warranty. Of course. If I can figure out what's not working, I can certainly replace it myself.

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by M3to335

Recently my wifes 135 blew an orange corner bulb on the passanger side. I swapped it out and it worked fine. After firing the car back up and driving it around, the adaptive headlight warning came on. Now it wont light up when turing the wheel left/right.

Everything else seems to work;
Low/High beams
Auto Level (up/down) on start-up
Angel Eyes, etc.

Is there a way to troubleshoot what the failure point is? I'd drop it off at the dealership but the damn car is 2 months out of warranty. Of course. If I can figure out what's not working, I can certainly replace it myself.

Sadly, it seems that the headlights are replaced as an assembly. Others have had adaptive lights failures as a result of condensation, either by an improperly replaced cover, or by using aftermarket angel eye kits.

Here is another thread on the issue:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ive+headlights

[MPBK]

Don't want to state the obvious, but I the conditions apply (and I learned the hard way):
a) the headlight switch has to be in Auto position
b) if you're parked, only the passenger side will move
c) when moving, both sides should move.

[M3to335]

Originally Posted by Bill B.

Sadly, it seems that the headlights are replaced as an assembly. Others have had adaptive lights failures as a result of condensation, either by an improperly replaced cover, or by using aftermarket angel eye kits.

Here is another thread on the issue:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ive+headlights

No aftermarket parts are on this car. If condensation made it's way in (very possible) then what specifically is the failure point and how do I confirm weather or not it's failed. Only the passanger side was opened and corner bulb replaced. You'd think the drivers side would still funtion. Unless it's wired in series?

Originally Posted by MPBK

Don't want to state the obvious, but I the conditions apply (and I learned the hard way):
a) the headlight switch has to be in Auto position
b) if you're parked, only the passenger side will move
c) when moving, both sides should move.

Yes, all those apply. Keep in mind, the warning light is on the dash, so yes, its not functioning properly.

[Dackelone]

Did you use a BMW bulb?

How did you replace the orange corner bulb? Did you remove the headlamp housing?

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by M3to335

No aftermarket parts are on this car. If condensation made it's way in (very possible) then what specifically is the failure point and how do I confirm weather or not it's failed. Only the passanger side was opened and corner bulb replaced. You'd think the drivers side would still funtion. Unless it's wired in series?

Since you have a warning light on, the quickest way to identify the failure point would be with a code reader.

I have heard the stepper motors themselves are unreliable, but I have not seen a separate part number for them. Sometimes they become detached from the ball joint, but that usually wouldn't throw a code.

If a motor has failed, and a code has been thrown, I would think the controller would be mart enough not to try and drive EITHER motor.

There is a separate ACL module that does have a part number, that is most likely the motor controller. Other than reading the code, I don't know of a simple way to determine if it is the controller or the stepper.

Unfortunately, I have not heard anyone having successfully repaired this feature without replacing the entire headlight assembly.

[M3to335]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Did you use a BMW bulb?

How did you replace the orange corner bulb? Did you remove the headlamp housing?

I didn't realize BMW made special orange corner bulbs. That's not the issue here, it's the adaptive lights arent functioning.

Originally Posted by Bill B.

Since you have a warning light on, the quickest way to identify the failure point would be with a code reader.

I have heard the stepper motors themselves are unreliable, but I have not seen a separate part number for them. Sometimes they become detached from the ball joint, but that usually wouldn't throw a code.

If a motor has failed, and a code has been thrown, I would think the controller would be mart enough not to try and drive EITHER motor.

There is a separate ACL module that does have a part number, that is most likely the motor controller. Other than reading the code, I don't know of a simple way to determine if it is the controller or the stepper.

Unfortunately, I have not heard anyone having successfully repaired this feature without replacing the entire headlight assembly.

I'll contact BMW and see if they will read the code for me. I'm sure this is going to be cheap. What pisses me off the most is that it's 2 months out of warranty.

[lakylester]

Originally Posted by Bill B.

Since you have a warning light on, the quickest way to identify the failure point would be with a code reader.

I have heard the stepper motors themselves are unreliable, but I have not seen a separate part number for them. Sometimes they become detached from the ball joint, but that usually wouldn't throw a code.

If a motor has failed, and a code has been thrown, I would think the controller would be mart enough not to try and drive EITHER motor.

There is a separate ACL module that does have a part number, that is most likely the motor controller. Other than reading the code, I don't know of a simple way to determine if it is the controller or the stepper.

Unfortunately, I have not heard anyone having successfully repaired this feature without replacing the entire headlight assembly.

My adaptive feature failed recently after experiencing TONS of condensation in the housing.

I was going to bring it in to bm to have the whole unit replaced but I got new ballast and replaced a few things in there... I'll post pics of what I did when i get home from work