Xenons flickering?

RoBD305 · 11-30-2005, 10:34 PM

Have noticed since I took delivery a few months ago that it seems that the xenons flicker when going over uneven surfaces or rough roads. Has anybody else noticed this? i do not notice this on my E60 w/ xenons. Thnks

Nikki · 11-30-2005, 10:35 PM

Yeah, I figured it was normal since they are trying to level.

deutschmann59 · 11-30-2005, 10:36 PM

Yeah, it is normal. They are self-leveling, they aren't flickering.

Xens · 11-30-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoBD305

Have noticed since I took delivery a few months ago that it seems that the xenons flicker when going over uneven surfaces or rough roads. Has anybody else noticed this? i do not notice this on my E60 w/ xenons. Thnks

It's because of the "adaptive" mechanism, since the projectors need to move left and right, they are therefore not fixed to the headlight housings. Not having a solid base to support the projectors is why they flicker over bumps. I'm used to it already since I had retrofitted projectors on my old car, heh.

As to why it doesn't do it on your E60, no idea.

RoBD305 · 11-30-2005, 10:39 PM

thanks, it just seems strange to me since my E60 has adaptive xenons with self leveling and never notice it. oh well

BMW0 · 12-01-2005, 08:12 AM

I don't see them flickering, just self leveling too. They flicker only when I turn them on initially.

BMRu4ia · 12-01-2005, 08:56 AM

I hit a small speed bump and my left side went out. Brought it to the dealer. They said it was a loose plug.

05-05-2006, 10:19 AM

yes mine are loose also!! just started flickering when i hit cracks and holes in the road.

txusa03 · 05-05-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Yeah, it is normal. They are self-leveling, they aren't flickering.

as sharp said, it is not flickering. When you go over or hit a pot hold at 30 mph, your car leveling changes and the light is trying to compensate for that slight change. Put it this way, the light is very sensitive. I guess flickering is one way to describe it. But your lights is OK (nothing to worry about).

Asiann · 05-05-2006, 11:48 AM

Turn the headlights from automatic to manual and the flickering will not be as bad.

voltron1011 · 05-05-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xens

It's because of the "adaptive" mechanism, since the projectors need to move left and right, they are therefore not fixed to the headlight housings. Not having a solid base to support the projectors is why they flicker over bumps. I'm used to it already since I had retrofitted projectors on my old car, heh.

:

You're correct... I like the fact that they flicker a bit because it gets peoples attention.

Bimmer325 · 05-05-2006, 12:25 PM

after changing to 6000K D1S, hardly notice the flicker IMO..
it was apparent b4 changing...

E90330iS · 05-05-2006, 01:16 PM

i agree.. the leveling is way too sensitive.

05-05-2006, 02:03 PM

mine never flickered. car is about 7 months old now and its happening now.. If i hit my bumper with my hand i can see the lights shake

txusa03 · 05-05-2006, 02:18 PM

maybe the e90 eyeballs are slowly detached from the retina...

KevinC · 05-05-2006, 09:51 PM

Whoa. Lots of answers here, is anyone speaking from actual knowledge, and not some assumption or something you read on a board someplace?

The self-leveling, from what I understand, is NOT instaneous and the lights aren't constantly trying to self-level as you drive. If you throw a few bodies in the trunk, then they would self-level. As for the flickering, I've read that this is a property of all xenon lights and is a byproduct of how they produce their light via "arcing" rather than a glowing filament a la halogen lamps.

Can anyone substantiate any of this? Interesting question and it would be nice to get a definitive answer.

Bimmer325 · 05-06-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

maybe the e90 eyeballs are slowly detached from the retina...

wow...getting old maybe?

Bimmer325 · 05-06-2006, 07:37 AM

been following another car in the dark, and saw my headlight flickering gently...but didnt notice on other cars with bi-xenon setup...

KevinC · 05-06-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer325

been following another car in the dark, and saw my headlight flickering gently...but didnt notice on other cars with bi-xenon setup...

I had HIDs on my R32 (no bi-xenon) and they did the same thing, and apparently they all did. It was an R32 forum where it was said that the arcing was causing the "flickering" and that this was normal for all xenons. I'm very curious now as to what the real answer is.

11-30-2005, 10:34 PM	#1
RoBD305 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2004 BMW 545i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	Xenons flickering? Have noticed since I took delivery a few months ago that it seems that the xenons flicker when going over uneven surfaces or rough roads. Has anybody else noticed this? i do not notice this on my E60 w/ xenons. Thnks __________________ 2006 BMW 330i Sparkling Graphite/Grey 2004 BMW 545i Alpine White/Black 2000 BMW 323ci Alpine White/Black (SOLD) 2003 Honda S2000 Spa Yellow/Black (SOLD)
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11-30-2005, 10:35 PM	#2
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Yeah, I figured it was normal since they are trying to level. __________________ Nikki
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11-30-2005, 10:36 PM	#3
deutschmann59 Captain 174 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Yeah, it is normal. They are self-leveling, they aren't flickering.
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11-30-2005, 10:39 PM	#5
RoBD305 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2004 BMW 545i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	thanks, it just seems strange to me since my E60 has adaptive xenons with self leveling and never notice it. oh well __________________ 2006 BMW 330i Sparkling Graphite/Grey 2004 BMW 545i Alpine White/Black 2000 BMW 323ci Alpine White/Black (SOLD) 2003 Honda S2000 Spa Yellow/Black (SOLD)
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12-01-2005, 08:12 AM	#6
BMW0 Colonel 235 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I don't see them flickering, just self leveling too. They flicker only when I turn them on initially. __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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12-01-2005, 08:56 AM	#7
BMRu4ia Private First Class 28 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 28i VR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Foster City iTrader: (0)	loose plug? I hit a small speed bump and my left side went out. Brought it to the dealer. They said it was a loose plug.
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05-05-2006, 10:19 AM	#8
DTDREW Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	yes mine are loose also!! just started flickering when i hit cracks and holes in the road.
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05-05-2006, 11:48 AM	#10
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	Turn the headlights from automatic to manual and the flickering will not be as bad. __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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05-05-2006, 12:25 PM	#12
Bimmer325 Major 86 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 325i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MY iTrader: (1)	after changing to 6000K D1S, hardly notice the flicker IMO.. it was apparent b4 changing... __________________ 325i Arctics M-Sport, Gray Leather with Alu Trim, ///M DCT Paddleshift, ///M Gear Knob, BBS LM-R 19", Michelin PS2, KW V2, H&R Anti Roll Bars, BMW Performance Air Intake System, 3D Front Lip, ACS Roof Spoiler, OEM Boot Spoiler, Osram 6000K, Brex White Ring, PIAA 6200K HID Fog, PIAA License Plate LED, BMS Powerbox
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05-05-2006, 01:16 PM	#13
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i agree.. the leveling is way too sensitive. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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05-05-2006, 02:03 PM	#14
DTDREW Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	mine never flickered. car is about 7 months old now and its happening now.. If i hit my bumper with my hand i can see the lights shake
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05-05-2006, 02:18 PM	#15
txusa03 Major General 548 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	maybe the e90 eyeballs are slowly detached from the retina...
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05-05-2006, 09:51 PM	#16
KevinC your average JAMF 3094 Rep 4,092 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Whoa. Lots of answers here, is anyone speaking from actual knowledge, and not some assumption or something you read on a board someplace? The self-leveling, from what I understand, is NOT instaneous and the lights aren't constantly trying to self-level as you drive. If you throw a few bodies in the trunk, then they would self-level. As for the flickering, I've read that this is a property of all xenon lights and is a byproduct of how they produce their light via "arcing" rather than a glowing filament a la halogen lamps. Can anyone substantiate any of this? Interesting question and it would be nice to get a definitive answer. __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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05-06-2006, 07:37 AM	#18
Bimmer325 Major 86 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 325i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MY iTrader: (1)	been following another car in the dark, and saw my headlight flickering gently...but didnt notice on other cars with bi-xenon setup... __________________ 325i Arctics M-Sport, Gray Leather with Alu Trim, ///M DCT Paddleshift, ///M Gear Knob, BBS LM-R 19", Michelin PS2, KW V2, H&R Anti Roll Bars, BMW Performance Air Intake System, 3D Front Lip, ACS Roof Spoiler, OEM Boot Spoiler, Osram 6000K, Brex White Ring, PIAA 6200K HID Fog, PIAA License Plate LED, BMS Powerbox
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