E82 1 Series Xenon Ballast install

[TechieCarGuy]

My right headlight just went out. I have adaptive and the car only says its a bulb. I've had an adaptive failure before and this is only showing the bulb. I picked up a new D1S bulb and installed it, but the problem still persist. There is no moisture in the light and the car is garage kept and I don't suspect water damage.

I'm guess its probably the ballast, but I can't find any DIY's for the E82 to tell me if its like the E90 and you must remove the bumper. Before I order a new ballast and try to fix it myself, I thought I would solicit some feedback.

[MightyMouseTech]

Helpful tip, you have a complete set of working parts on the other side of the car. Keep swapping parts till it is fixed. Then you know what to order.

[TechieCarGuy]

Bulbs work on other side (left), just not right. Have swapped old and new bulbs on both sides to confirm. I can't see or get to the ballast, thus trying to plan out my next step. I'm making an assumption that it is on the bottom side of the headlight assembly and will require my removing the whole front bumper, which is not anything I can do without a long weekend.
Obviously I can't swap the right ballast with left until I figure out what is involved. If its same as e90 then there are plenty of videos, but I can't find anything specific to the e82

[reisf]

The ballasts are screwed to the underside of the headlight, unfortunately yes you need to remove the whole front bumper, then remove the headlights and you can get to the ballast.

[TechieCarGuy]

I guess I will be taking off my front bumper. This thread clearly shows the ballast under the housing.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219345

[Alby_416]

I can confirm you'll have to remove the front bumper... done it myself when I replaced the whole headlight assembly.

The ballasts then are screwed to the bottom of the headlights

PS:
quick tip to facilitate the removal of the headlights: loose the torx screws which hold the headlight brackets without removing them completely. You'll be able to wiggle out the assembly much easier this way

[Alby_416]

I used this video to help me during the process

[TechieCarGuy]

Ok, here's one for the ages... lastnight when I pulled into the garage the right side bulb was still not working. This morning when I started the car and backed out... it was working?

When I originally inspected the light and replaced the bulb I found no condensation or similar visible moisture, however now I am wondering if some how something did get wet.

Since I had planned on removing the bumper this weekend and headlights to install a new ballast, is there any weak spots that I could look at and try and seal up that are know problems? How exposed is the ballast to the elements, or should I be looking for a bad seal in the back of the assembly?

[MightyMouseTech]

It only takes 10 min to remove the front bumper cover.

[reisf]

Originally Posted by Quart

Ok, here's one for the ages... lastnight when I pulled into the garage the right side bulb was still not working. This morning when I started the car and backed out... it was working?

When I originally inspected the light and replaced the bulb I found no condensation or similar visible moisture, however now I am wondering if some how something did get wet.

Since I had planned on removing the bumper this weekend and headlights to install a new ballast, is there any weak spots that I could look at and try and seal up that are know problems? How exposed is the ballast to the elements, or should I be looking for a bad seal in the back of the assembly?

The ballast is completely exposed, however there is a tight seal where the electrical connection between the ballast and the headlight is. Is a sort of slide in mechanism.

That said, it really is only a 10 minute job to remove the front bumper.

Don't be scared

[TechieCarGuy]

Everyone was correct, super easy to remove and reinstall. So easy in fact that it only took me two and a half hours to remove it, replace the ballast and install a new upgraded FMIC. I think I saved a lot of time getting the FMIC fitted without the bumper. All-in-all a successful day, I only wish I knew why I kept having this problem on my cars. Last car was a 2002 Mercedes SLK and I had the exact same problem, and I always garage my cars. Its not like they sit out in the rain all day? I did notice they use very similar mounting schemes and parts though

[ulrichd]

Actually you do not have to take off the bumper. I just replaced the ALC box and ballast on my passenger side by going in through the inner fenderwell plastic trim. Once the trim is out by removing about 8 or so screws the ALC box and ballast are easily accessible from below the headlight.

[berne]

u dont need to remove the frontbumper...on the L side at least

just remove the tiers, and the liner and u can see it

i did it to day.. but it dident work anyway

any idess?

i took the L and i tryid it on the R and i hedlight did not work. so i was think the ballas was broken, order a new one, and replacet it.. but didet help...