Retrofitlabs bi xenon upgrade advice

[craiginuk]

I've heard of broken wires inside the headlight cases. Check it out.

I've replaced my xenon projectors through wheel arches without any issues. But it's easier if you lift the car a little.

Thanks I will have a proper look over the weekend hopefully. Would be great to get this sorted.

[StudioWizard]

The bottom photo shot of the road looks like the best lighting. Is that before or after the upgrade? (It says original photos, but just confirming.)

[StudioWizard]

You won't notice the difference just like that. When the light is turned on you will see it glows differently as EvoX-R has clear glass lens while original doesn't.

Does the original not have a clear lens because it became that way over time or are you saying it wasn't manufactured with a clear lens? I'm asking because I bought two used ones and one has a very clear xenon projector lens and other has a cloudy xenon projector lens.

[x-driver]

Photo descriptions are above each photo

Original wasn't manufactured as clear lens.

Most OEM projectors out there come standard with what is known as “fresnel” lenses. These projector lenses have circular lines molded into their surface, and are often produced with less than optically clear glass. So what? Well the fresnel lines and frosted/ translucent glass dim the output and soften the beam pattern so the projectors aren’t performing to their full potential.

[craiginuk]

Does this help at all?
The top box is the Light Control Module.
E7 is the headlight itself.
X130 is the multiplug.
Looks like main beam signals through pin 8.
Screenshot 2024-02-21 110735.png
Screenshot 2024-02-21 110832.png

Thanks that was a big help. Plugged the passenger side unit into the drivers side and the main beam flicks up fine. Checked voltage on drivers side pin 8 in the connector and there is 12v. Nothing on the passenger side pin 8 so the fault is either between the headlight controller or a break in the harness between the controller and the light. I am guessing headlight controller the culprit. Does a replacement need coding to the car?

[x-driver]

First I replaced a whole headlight unit on my Z4 due to water intrusion, then I swapped projectors. No coding needed at all

I believe there is no special controller for high beam inside the headlight, just a wire to power up the actuator.
I retrofitted bixenon in my e39 and have the actuator connected directly to high beam bulb wires. In fact you can do the same in your headlight to avoid replacing it if you don't find the source of troubles Retrofitlab offers specific harness to get power for the actuator from high beam bulb for e39, maybe it's the same with Z4, I haven't checked the high beam bulb connector type in the Z4, so I'm not sure.

I'd start with checking the actuator wires inside the headlight, follow those wires where they go and see if there is something wrong with them. You might just be looking for a wire that is broken inside. Try to bend the wires and see if they are broken somewhere.

[craiginuk]

Yep, as mentioned above. Light unit works perfectly on the other side so I don’t suspect any issues in the unit. It’s either the light control module or wiring in between that and the light.

[x-driver]

Oh, I understood you tried the working unit on this side where the problem is Well that's gonna be a bigger problem then

Replacement LCM will need coding then.