135i Headlight malfunction

[Josiiah]

So my 135 has gone through about 3 headlight ballasts in a year and some change. My low beam keeps going out. Two on the right side and the most recent time it went out on the left. I bought a new ballast and this time it didn't work. So I swapped the bulbs with the new ballast to see if it was the bulbs and no shot. So its not the bulb and not the ballast what could be the problem? I really hope its not a wiring issue... I have a brand new adaptive headlight module but I don't think that would make my low beam not come on.

[Josiiah]

Update: I was just messing around in Bimmercode and when i code all the light will come on for a split second as it is resetting, and guess what the low beam that is out actually flickered too!. So it got me thinking the low beam actually works but when the car is on and I have my low beams on it wont come on. So that's where I'm at now.

[Josiiah]

So no has replied but I have traced the problem further. I put the left headlight on the right side and it worked. So now it has something to do with the plug that comes from the harness I guess. I don’t have time or another car to be able to drop it off. Any ideas on what might be the problem I could use some help. Thanks

[DakarDoug]

Sounds like we are having some similar issues. This forum doesn't appear to provide much technical assistance. I will be following to see what resolution you come up with. Was it hard pulling your front bumper off?

[DakarDoug]

Forgot to mention that it might also be the FRM footwell module located in front of the hood release pull.

[Josiiah]

Originally Posted by DakarDoug

Sounds like we are having some similar issues. This forum doesn't appear to provide much technical assistance. I will be following to see what resolution you come up with. Was it hard pulling your front bumper off?

Its gotten easier to take the bumper off now that I've done it a few times. It's just connected to the fender liner with 8mm bolts and the headlight washer covers. I leave off the top screws of the bumper that meets the hood. I jack up the car just a bit from the front so the fender liner is easier to access. No need to remove the wheels. Thanks for the tip! Ill try to diagnose the footwell module.

[DakarDoug]

Any update on your headlight issues?

[Josiiah]

Originally Posted by DakarDoug

Any update on your headlight issues?

Sorry been really busy, so it was the Foot well Module. My Indy took mine in for a repair and they gave me a loaner and both headlights work great now! Was $300 though. It was super easy to swap out at least

[DakarDoug]

Finally made a little progress on mine. Replaced the right-side ballast where hi/low beam was not working and now it works. I suspect my adaptive control units may be defective as I still have the adaptive lighting faults but now at least all of my lights work. Debating on whether to live with the annoyance, replace adaptive control units, or unprogram the adaptive lights. Car now is 13 years old with 215k miles.

[Pot_Pie_35i]

I'm having a similar issue:
Passenger side went out about a week ago, flipped the bulbs and the bulb worked on drivers side. Got a new ballast installed on passenger side yesterday, both lights worked for an hour until passenger side went out again. About 3hrs after a car wash the drivers side went out too.. noticed minor condensation on both sides.

THEN after driving home at 2am last night with just halo's (not recommended), turning car/lights on and off a couple times and hitting some bumps the PASSENGER side turned back on and drivers side was out.. Haven't noticed any flickering, just on or off.

Any ideas?

I've heard a short in the bulb can fry the ballast, or does this sound like a bad Foot well module? Thanks