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      10-27-2014, 08:08 AM   #1
135iRick
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Adaptive headlight rebuild or replacement

Has anyone tackled this themselves? I have condensation in my passenger side headlight and it's probably dead. Have the neat little code on the dash and a dead HID headlight and everything. I guess the cover didn't go back on correctly when I put the LED halo lamp in even though the cover tabs seem to go into the receiver so well. No wiggle, clips went on as easy as they came off.

Last edited by 135iRick; 10-27-2014 at 08:26 AM..
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      11-05-2014, 02:23 AM   #2
JimUlrich135
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Pull the headlight out and remove the back cover and allow to dry over night. Probably going to have to replace the driver module for said head light maybe even the xenon ballast. GL.
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      06-30-2015, 08:47 PM   #3
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would warranty cover this? i have the same issue
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      07-27-2015, 01:06 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 135iRick View Post
Has anyone tackled this themselves? I have condensation in my passenger side headlight and it's probably dead. Have the neat little code on the dash and a dead HID headlight and everything. I guess the cover didn't go back on correctly when I put the LED halo lamp in even though the cover tabs seem to go into the receiver so well. No wiggle, clips went on as easy as they came off.
I've tackled this myself and can get you part numbers if you want to do the same. Chances are you will need a new ballast and a new adaptive module. you can probably get everything you need for about 180-200 depending on prices and places you buy.



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Originally Posted by ecpoli77 View Post
would warranty cover this? i have the same issue
If you are using your stock angel eye bulbs and are still under manufacturer warranty. I would try your luck. Just make sure that if you do have aftermarket LED angel eyes or anything that is not stock, that you put the stock ones back in. Worst case scenario is that you spend approx 200 bucks and a Saturday morning or afternoon fixing it yourself!
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      05-15-2016, 03:52 PM   #5
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Can someone point out the locations of the ballast and the adaptive module. Do I have to take off the bumper or can I access them through the inner fender well?
Thanks.
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      05-15-2016, 11:37 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ulrichd View Post
Can someone point out the locations of the ballast and the adaptive module. Do I have to take off the bumper or can I access them through the inner fender well?
Thanks.
I removed my front fascia to get the headlight assembly out, the ballast is at the bottom of the unit so it has to come completely out. If the ballast went bad from water your footwell module will probably have to be replaced as well and coded. I've done this fix about three times for moisture on the original part and finally ended up replacing the headlight assembly with a brand new unit and footwell module.

My 2 cents is the the seals go bad from the constant heat cycling of the oil cooler 4 inches below the light assembly over time. Every light I hear that goes bad is always the passenger side.

I did every thing myself for about a grand, light sold on Ebay, Module from BMW. Good Luck
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      05-16-2016, 12:11 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ulrichd View Post
Can someone point out the locations of the ballast and the adaptive module. Do I have to take off the bumper or can I access them through the inner fender well?
Thanks.
Use Real OEM to locate. Yes, to do it by the book the bumper has to come off. Removing the headlights isn't that difficult if you're mechanically inclined. Probably a 3/10 for difficulty. There is a great DIY on removing the headlights in the DIY section. Titled something like "Lets install Euro Headlights" if I remember right.
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      05-16-2016, 12:53 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rotorhead View Post
I removed my front fascia to get the headlight assembly out, the ballast is at the bottom of the unit so it has to come completely out. If the ballast went bad from water your footwell module will probably have to be replaced as well and coded. I've done this fix about three times for moisture on the original part and finally ended up replacing the headlight assembly with a brand new unit and footwell module.

My 2 cents is the the seals go bad from the constant heat cycling of the oil cooler 4 inches below the light assembly over time. Every light I hear that goes bad is always the passenger side.

I did every thing myself for about a grand, light sold on Ebay, Module from BMW. Good Luck
I actually did this to myself. After changing one of the headlight bulbs a few weeks back I simply forgot to put the back cover back on. During a recent hard rain the dash light came on. When I opened the hood there was the back cover still sitting where I left it.
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      05-16-2016, 02:13 PM   #9
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You could buy a used headlight with the ballast on ebay for 250ish. I would go that route.
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      05-22-2016, 06:46 PM   #10
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Just successfully fixed this by replacing the ALC box and ballast. Passenger side headlight is working now and no code, however, the headlight is now pointed inward. It won't move with the steering wheel. Hopefully the coding of the ALC box will fix that.
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      05-23-2016, 05:23 PM   #11
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How do you remove the black box control unit at the bottom? I am able to get the ballast out but how do I unhook the black box without damaging things? Pics would be amazing! Thanks in advance!
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      05-23-2016, 07:47 PM   #12
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Sorry I didn't take pics. The black ALC box is secured to the bottom of the headlight with 5-6 screws. Once you have it loose you have to push out the receptor insert that has two wires and the thick silver cable attached to it. It has two tabs on both sides. Push them in and it will slide out backwards. Hope that makes sense.
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      05-23-2016, 09:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ulrichd
Sorry I didn't take pics. The black ALC box is secured to the bottom of the headlight with 5-6 screws. Once you have it loose you have to push out the receptor insert that has two wires and the thick silver cable attached to it. It has two tabs on both sides. Push them in and it will slide out backwards. Hope that makes sense.
Perfect! Just did it! Thanks!
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      06-30-2016, 10:59 PM   #14
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Any update on this? Having similar issue. Water got in. My head lights work but my lights wont move but my fender side markers turn on but as soon as error loads up they turn off. I checked for for power with test light at the plug and it works but lights are out (bulbs are good) and i got code in my dash. I sawped my ballast it works. Any one know how to test thr alc box?
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      07-05-2016, 09:59 AM   #15
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Hey guys
I have a similar issue. Installed LED angel-eye bulbs couple months ago, for some reason after washing the car few days ago my adaptive headlight error came on. Realized a day later that my xenon passenger side light doesnt work now and there is condensation in that light housing. I will try to read the error code later today to see if that tells me more. From reading the forum i take Ill most likely have to replace the ballast and ACL module. Is there a way to know for sure whats broken, short of replacing components one by one with the working driver side (if thats even possible)? But that would involve taking everything off the car. If, indeed, ballast and acl are gone any recommendations where to find a good deal?

Thanks guys
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      07-05-2016, 11:14 AM   #16
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I look for the best deal on parts by plugging my car into realoem.com, getting the part numbers I need and then just drop them into Google and see what comes up. Sometimes it's ebay, sometimes an online parts or BMW dealer. Good luck.
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      07-06-2016, 07:52 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ulrichd View Post
I look for the best deal on parts by plugging my car into realoem.com, getting the part numbers I need and then just drop them into Google and see what comes up. Sometimes it's ebay, sometimes an online parts or BMW dealer. Good luck.
This is GOLD
Thanks soooo much man !! Ive never heard of this site. This will help soooo much.
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      07-06-2016, 11:16 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ulrichd View Post
I look for the best deal on parts by plugging my car into realoem.com, getting the part numbers I need and then just drop them into Google and see what comes up. Sometimes it's ebay, sometimes an online parts or BMW dealer. Good luck.
Hey Ulrichd

Which components did you change? 14 and 17?
17 - ALC control box (thats what controls the adaptive headlights?)
14 - Light control unit (dont know what that controls - is that the ballast?)
As for the 13 - bulb Ill have to swap with the other headlight to see if it is working.

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      07-06-2016, 03:09 PM   #19
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I changed both 14 and 17. That fixed the adaptive error light on the dash and everything worked again.
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      07-25-2016, 11:59 AM   #20
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The ALC Controller when purchased new needs to be coded to your car.
Does anyone know if I get used one can it be re-coded?

thanks
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      08-05-2016, 07:41 PM   #21
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Is it possible to purchase the housing and lens without any guts? Would be nice to do instead of polishing the lens if the cost was reasonable.
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      08-27-2016, 04:06 AM   #22
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Where do i purchase the alc box?
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