Driver side HID not working.

iManu · 02-14-2016, 09:45 PM

I washed my car and some moisture got into the driver side headlight unit. The seal wasn't good. I parked the car and swapped the HID bulb into the passenger side headlight and it worked. When I turn the wheels the adaptive feature works.
My HID bulb, halos, turn signal and adaptive feature is working. The only thing that isn't working is the ignition of the bulb. I suspect the ballast is fried.
My question is, can the ballast be dead because of water inside the headlight? I thought that the ballast was sealed separately from the headlight unit. And where do you guys recommend to get the ballast? I verified ebay but I'm not sure if they are oem or imitations. Any input would be appreciated!

Stewy_604 · 02-15-2016, 11:15 AM

What if you swap the working ballast over to the driver's side, is all fine? Can't remember if there's an individual fuse for the L & R headlamps?

iManu · 02-15-2016, 01:28 PM

I'll try that if I have time! I saw the tutorial to remove the ballast and I have to remove my front bumper...

Stewy_604 · 02-15-2016, 02:09 PM

Even though it's a pain, it'll just help you narrow down where the failure point is.

iManu · 02-17-2016, 12:07 AM

Got my headlight off. Some water dripped out when I took the ballast and ballast assembly off.

First picture shows that my ballast is corroded and shot.

Second picture: Do you think I have to change this as well if so what's this part? Does this part short circuit when it gets water? Or is it only the ballast that dies?

iManu · 02-17-2016, 12:21 AM

By the way, I only get an error for my HID not for the adaptive headlight, does this mean only my ballast is shot? Or can my control module be shot to?

SchismX · 02-17-2016, 12:30 AM

Your ballast for sure looks to be screwed. But it looks like your adaptive module has some water damage too and it could be a matter of time. I would completely dry out the housing and your control module, you may get lucky and the water didn't hurt anything.

Stewy_604 · 02-22-2016, 11:54 AM

Agreed on the module, there's definitely some corrosion there. If you have the funds, I'd just replace it while you have it out. As for the ballast, yep...she's toast!

02-14-2016, 09:45 PM	#1
iManu First Lieutenant 142 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2018 X3M40i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Driver side HID not working. I washed my car and some moisture got into the driver side headlight unit. The seal wasn't good. I parked the car and swapped the HID bulb into the passenger side headlight and it worked. When I turn the wheels the adaptive feature works. My HID bulb, halos, turn signal and adaptive feature is working. The only thing that isn't working is the ignition of the bulb. I suspect the ballast is fried. My question is, can the ballast be dead because of water inside the headlight? I thought that the ballast was sealed separately from the headlight unit. And where do you guys recommend to get the ballast? I verified ebay but I'm not sure if they are oem or imitations. Any input would be appreciated!
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02-15-2016, 11:15 AM	#2
Stewy_604 First Lieutenant 77 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	What if you swap the working ballast over to the driver's side, is all fine? Can't remember if there's an individual fuse for the L & R headlamps? __________________ 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey - BMS JB4, VRSF 3.5" catless DP, Berk exhaust, BMS intake, ER CP, Eibach Pro-Kit, H&R spacers, black kidneys, Blacklines, LUX angel eyes 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White - MPBK w/ F85 rotors & Carbotech pads, ACS Springs/Links, iND reflector deletes, iND black roundels, MP black kidneys, M50D grille inserts 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750 - too much to list
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02-15-2016, 01:28 PM	#3
iManu First Lieutenant 142 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2018 X3M40i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	I'll try that if I have time! I saw the tutorial to remove the ballast and I have to remove my front bumper...
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02-15-2016, 02:09 PM	#4
Stewy_604 First Lieutenant 77 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	Even though it's a pain, it'll just help you narrow down where the failure point is. __________________ 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey - BMS JB4, VRSF 3.5" catless DP, Berk exhaust, BMS intake, ER CP, Eibach Pro-Kit, H&R spacers, black kidneys, Blacklines, LUX angel eyes 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White - MPBK w/ F85 rotors & Carbotech pads, ACS Springs/Links, iND reflector deletes, iND black roundels, MP black kidneys, M50D grille inserts 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750 - too much to list
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02-17-2016, 12:07 AM	#5
iManu First Lieutenant 142 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2018 X3M40i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Got my headlight off. Some water dripped out when I took the ballast and ballast assembly off. First picture shows that my ballast is corroded and shot. Second picture: Do you think I have to change this as well if so what's this part? Does this part short circuit when it gets water? Or is it only the ballast that dies? Attached Images
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02-17-2016, 12:21 AM	#6
iManu First Lieutenant 142 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2018 X3M40i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	By the way, I only get an error for my HID not for the adaptive headlight, does this mean only my ballast is shot? Or can my control module be shot to?
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02-17-2016, 12:30 AM	#7
SchismX Private First Class 37 Rep 131 Posts Drives: '10 135i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Your ballast for sure looks to be screwed. But it looks like your adaptive module has some water damage too and it could be a matter of time. I would completely dry out the housing and your control module, you may get lucky and the water didn't hurt anything. __________________ BMS DCI // Catless DPs // BMS OCC // BMW PE // ER CP/TiAL BOV // VRSF 7" FMIC // JB4 + MHD // SSR GT1 // Alpina TCU flash
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02-22-2016, 11:54 AM	#8
Stewy_604 First Lieutenant 77 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	Agreed on the module, there's definitely some corrosion there. If you have the funds, I'd just replace it while you have it out. As for the ballast, yep...she's toast! __________________ 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey - BMS JB4, VRSF 3.5" catless DP, Berk exhaust, BMS intake, ER CP, Eibach Pro-Kit, H&R spacers, black kidneys, Blacklines, LUX angel eyes 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White - MPBK w/ F85 rotors & Carbotech pads, ACS Springs/Links, iND reflector deletes, iND black roundels, MP black kidneys, M50D grille inserts 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750 - too much to list
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