Adaptive headlights level adjusting while driving

takrdown · 04-01-2014, 06:51 AM

On the way home last night I got a new one.....my adaptive headlights starting auto adjusting up and down while I was driving. Very annoying!!! Has anyone seen this issue? Anyone able to resolve it? It seems to be both of the headlights but I'll try to confirm.

Thanks!

Wakka · 04-01-2014, 07:45 AM

You're upset because your auto adjusting headlights were.... auto adjusting?

Zombie1 · 04-01-2014, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wakka

You're upset because your auto adjusting headlights were.... auto adjusting?

thats what they do

MightyMouseTech · 04-01-2014, 08:21 AM

My window keeps going up/down when I hit the up/down button on the door!

edisapimp · 04-01-2014, 09:13 AM

Not nice, boys!

OP, do you mean to tell us that while you are driving on a flat surface and not turning the wheel that your headlights are changing angle and direction on you?

nikijack · 04-01-2014, 09:54 AM

Hi: Mine do the same, and they are not adaptive headlights. It often happens when I brake lightly.
Jack

lowbudgethero · 04-01-2014, 09:57 AM

That actually seems very hazardous, you're driving on a dark road then suddenly you can't see because your headlights decided to adjust while driving. Maybe a bump knocked something loose and the computer decided it needed to adjust it

? I'm not sure.

takrdown · 04-01-2014, 11:55 AM

Wow guys this is the first time I've seen this level of sarcasm.....

Yes, I'm driving on a perfectly flat surface and they go up and down at random...like they are resetting. I've had the damn car 5 years and have 150K miles on it...I think I should know what they are doing.

Horigan · 04-01-2014, 01:14 PM

Have you had any suspension work done recently? There are sensors attached to one of the front and one of the rear control arms that provide signals to the system. If they are not connected correctly you will get the symptoms you are seeing. Either way I would look at the sensors first.

takrdown · 04-01-2014, 01:23 PM

Ironic you say that.....I just changed out the driver's side ballast controller for the second time as water got into it and burned it out like the first time. It worked just fine the first couple of days and then all of the sudden this started last night.

I'm confused as to how that would effect this though.

No suspension work done though. Can you point me to these sensors though and I'll take a look...I didn have to take the whole damn front bumper off to get to the headlights.

Kgolf31 · 04-01-2014, 01:34 PM

The reason why someone asked you about suspension work, is that you typically need to disconnect the leveling sensor, which could lead to not hooking it up correctly and causing issues.

To everyone else in this thread, they are stupid. OP perfectly described the issue of his headlights auto adjusting WHILE driving. If anyone had actual knowledge on their system they would realize this is not correct operation.

OP - I would check the leveling sensor to make sure it is indeed secure and hooked up correctly. IIRC it is connected to the control arm.

PS - If you look at ECSTuning Youtube and research E90 Suspension DIY and get under their channel, they have a good section of the video explaining how to disconnect and reconnect that sensor. (You can access this through the fender panel)

Hopefully this helps

MightyMouseTech · 04-01-2014, 01:39 PM

Water in the headlight? That would be the first place to look. A problem inside the headlight.

MightyMouseTech · 04-01-2014, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

To everyone else in this thread, they are stupid. OP perfectly described the issue of his headlights auto adjusting WHILE driving. If anyone had actual knowledge on their system they would realize this is not correct operation.

Actually no, it was rather vague.

Fifty3bags · 04-01-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

To everyone else in this thread, they are stupid. OP perfectly described the issue of his headlights auto adjusting WHILE driving. If anyone had actual knowledge on their system they would realize this is not correct operation.

To adjust while driving is the whole purpose of the system.

This is on an e90, yours should look similar. See if everything is connected correctly or if the sensor is damaged in any way.

Kgolf31 · 04-01-2014, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty3bags

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

To everyone else in this thread, they are stupid. OP perfectly described the issue of his headlights auto adjusting WHILE driving. If anyone had actual knowledge on their system they would realize this is not correct operation.

To adjust while driving is the whole purpose of the system.

This is on an e90, yours should look similar. See if everything is connected correctly or if the sensor is damaged in any way.

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84...t/DSC_0057.jpg[/IMG]

The system calculates the deflection in angle sensor when someone sits in it upon start up and adjusts the lights at that time. If the lights adjusted all the time, all the dips and bumps in the roads would cause the lights to freak out, since your control arm are dynamically changing

takrdown · 04-01-2014, 02:11 PM

Thanks guys I'll take a look!

My original point though is I have been driving the car for 5 years and the way it has operated has changed in the last two days. I know how it should work from the driver's seat and it's not working the same way now. I'm pretty handy so I just need to be pointed in the right direction.

Some of you are insinuating that it is all of the sudden working correctly after not working correctly for 5 years...that just doesn't seem right.

Thanks for the help guys...keep it coming

I truly appreciate it and that's why I love this community so much!

takrdown · 04-01-2014, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

The system calculates the weight of the car upon start up and adjusts the lights at that time. If the lights adjusted all the time, all the dips and bumps in the roads would cause the lights to freak out, since your control arm are dynamically changing

That's what I was thinking as well....my gut tells me something in this picture is loose on my car.

MightyMouseTech · 04-01-2014, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

The system calculates the weight of the car upon start up and adjusts the lights at that time. If the lights adjusted all the time, all the dips and bumps in the roads would cause the lights to freak out, since your control arm are dynamically changing

It does, but there is a delay in the system so bumps don't change it.

swagon · 04-01-2014, 02:56 PM

I've once jet washed the rear part of the undercarriage and probably hit the AHL sensor, so the headlights went up. Had to go to the stealership and get it repaired. This was on an E91, though I think it's the same on the 1 Series too.

MZWIE · 04-01-2014, 03:15 PM

My guess is that somehow either the sensor ir the sensor arm are compromised. You could check by diconnecting the arm and taking a small ride.

takrdown · 04-02-2014, 06:33 AM

So, on the way to work this morning everything seems to be working again. Very odd. I'm installing a Hotchkiss front sway bar this weekend so I'll take a look then and let everyone know for future reference.

Huecifer · 04-03-2014, 12:23 AM

The headlight leveling sensor went on my old car eventually, and it took a long time to go. I'd be sitting at a stoplight and the lights would just dance up and down for 10 seconds, then just settle at the lowest setting, then 10 seconds later I'd get a warning light on my dash. The next day, totally fine, no dash light. It literally took about 30k miles for the dash light to be permanently lit and the lights to just not level at all. The sensor is probably on its way out. Sorry!

04-01-2014, 06:51 AM	#1
takrdown Other car was a submarine 94 Rep 704 Posts Drives: i4M50 (waiting), 2013 R56 JCW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central CT iTrader: (7)	Adaptive headlights level adjusting while driving On the way home last night I got a new one.....my adaptive headlights starting auto adjusting up and down while I was driving. Very annoying!!! Has anyone seen this issue? Anyone able to resolve it? It seems to be both of the headlights but I'll try to confirm. Thanks!
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04-01-2014, 08:21 AM	#4
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	My window keeps going up/down when I hit the up/down button on the door!
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04-01-2014, 09:13 AM	#5
edisapimp Civil Rights Activist 115 Rep 949 Posts Drives: E46 Sedan, E88 Vert Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Not nice, boys! OP, do you mean to tell us that while you are driving on a flat surface and not turning the wheel that your headlights are changing angle and direction on you? __________________ E88 Crimson Red Vert MSport 6MT - Listing your mods in your signature is lame. BMS DCI/MHD E30 Flash!!/AA Sport FMIC/VRSF CP w Tial BOV/VRSF 3" DPs/550i clutch w SPEC SMFW/Apex EC-7s/Whiteline RSFB/E92 M3 FCAs/Bilstein B12 Pro Kit/VRSF inlets
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04-01-2014, 09:54 AM	#6
nikijack Second Lieutenant 37 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i, Grey, manual Join Date: May 2010 Location: Markdale, On, Canada iTrader: (0)	Hi: Mine do the same, and they are not adaptive headlights. It often happens when I brake lightly. Jack
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04-01-2014, 09:57 AM	#7
lowbudgethero Captain 125 Rep 750 Posts Drives: '98 Z3M (gone), '09 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: 908 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	That actually seems very hazardous, you're driving on a dark road then suddenly you can't see because your headlights decided to adjust while driving. Maybe a bump knocked something loose and the computer decided it needed to adjust it ? I'm not sure. Last edited by lowbudgethero; 04-03-2014 at 10:40 AM..
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04-01-2014, 11:55 AM	#8
takrdown Other car was a submarine 94 Rep 704 Posts Drives: i4M50 (waiting), 2013 R56 JCW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central CT iTrader: (7)	Wow guys this is the first time I've seen this level of sarcasm..... Yes, I'm driving on a perfectly flat surface and they go up and down at random...like they are resetting. I've had the damn car 5 years and have 150K miles on it...I think I should know what they are doing.
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04-01-2014, 01:14 PM	#9
Horigan Private First Class 23 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Seattle WA, USA iTrader: (0)	Have you had any suspension work done recently? There are sensors attached to one of the front and one of the rear control arms that provide signals to the system. If they are not connected correctly you will get the symptoms you are seeing. Either way I would look at the sensors first.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2014, 01:23 PM	#10
takrdown Other car was a submarine 94 Rep 704 Posts Drives: i4M50 (waiting), 2013 R56 JCW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central CT iTrader: (7)	Ironic you say that.....I just changed out the driver's side ballast controller for the second time as water got into it and burned it out like the first time. It worked just fine the first couple of days and then all of the sudden this started last night. I'm confused as to how that would effect this though. No suspension work done though. Can you point me to these sensors though and I'll take a look...I didn have to take the whole damn front bumper off to get to the headlights. Last edited by takrdown; 04-01-2014 at 01:23 PM.. Reason: added a bit
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04-01-2014, 01:34 PM	#11
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 459 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	The reason why someone asked you about suspension work, is that you typically need to disconnect the leveling sensor, which could lead to not hooking it up correctly and causing issues. To everyone else in this thread, they are stupid. OP perfectly described the issue of his headlights auto adjusting WHILE driving. If anyone had actual knowledge on their system they would realize this is not correct operation. OP - I would check the leveling sensor to make sure it is indeed secure and hooked up correctly. IIRC it is connected to the control arm. PS - If you look at ECSTuning Youtube and research E90 Suspension DIY and get under their channel, they have a good section of the video explaining how to disconnect and reconnect that sensor. (You can access this through the fender panel) Hopefully this helps
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2014, 01:39 PM	#12
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Water in the headlight? That would be the first place to look. A problem inside the headlight.
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04-01-2014, 02:11 PM	#16
takrdown Other car was a submarine 94 Rep 704 Posts Drives: i4M50 (waiting), 2013 R56 JCW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central CT iTrader: (7)	Thanks guys I'll take a look! My original point though is I have been driving the car for 5 years and the way it has operated has changed in the last two days. I know how it should work from the driver's seat and it's not working the same way now. I'm pretty handy so I just need to be pointed in the right direction. Some of you are insinuating that it is all of the sudden working correctly after not working correctly for 5 years...that just doesn't seem right. Thanks for the help guys...keep it coming I truly appreciate it and that's why I love this community so much!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-01-2014, 02:56 PM	#19
swagon Major General 13518 Rep 8,163 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	I've once jet washed the rear part of the undercarriage and probably hit the AHL sensor, so the headlights went up. Had to go to the stealership and get it repaired. This was on an E91, though I think it's the same on the 1 Series too. __________________
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04-01-2014, 03:15 PM	#20
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	My guess is that somehow either the sensor ir the sensor arm are compromised. You could check by diconnecting the arm and taking a small ride.
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04-02-2014, 06:33 AM	#21
takrdown Other car was a submarine 94 Rep 704 Posts Drives: i4M50 (waiting), 2013 R56 JCW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central CT iTrader: (7)	So, on the way to work this morning everything seems to be working again. Very odd. I'm installing a Hotchkiss front sway bar this weekend so I'll take a look then and let everyone know for future reference.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2014, 12:23 AM	#22
Huecifer Private First Class 11 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	The headlight leveling sensor went on my old car eventually, and it took a long time to go. I'd be sitting at a stoplight and the lights would just dance up and down for 10 seconds, then just settle at the lowest setting, then 10 seconds later I'd get a warning light on my dash. The next day, totally fine, no dash light. It literally took about 30k miles for the dash light to be permanently lit and the lights to just not level at all. The sensor is probably on its way out. Sorry!
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