Can someone please explain the headlights on my 2003. When in automatic all 4 headlights are on. The high beam switch doesn't seem to do anything. When in drl mode just the center two are on. What should I be looking for? What lights should be on when? What should I look for with the high beams?
Headlights
- Thread starter Rmd143
- Start date
For starters, are they OEM or aftermarket?
If OEM, are the Halogens or BiXenons? (Halogens have two wheels on the control panel, Xenons just one).
The high beam switch (push forward left steering wheel stalk) should only work with headlights on or in auto. Pull back to flash should work in any mode.
If OEM, are the Halogens or BiXenons? (Halogens have two wheels on the control panel, Xenons just one).
The high beam switch (push forward left steering wheel stalk) should only work with headlights on or in auto. Pull back to flash should work in any mode.
I just got the car so I can't tell if aftermarket. However the bulbs are definitely halogen. But the dash only has one dial. I noticed the ends were striped back a bit on the connector almost like someone was troubleshooting it. Unfortunately I don't know what was done previously. There have been a lot of gremlins on this car. Working through them.
A photo would help us.Rmd143 said:
They look like factory halogen headlights.
My first thoughts are that your LCM (light control module) has been changed, and that's why you only have the one dial (which should be for interior illumination brightness), and whoever changed it put in a xenon unit instead. You don't have headlight washers on your bumper, so I assume that the car never came with xenons, but you can confirm that here: https://www.mdecoder.com/
Do you have a 'tamper dot' on your dashboard, by the milage? (this is from an e46, but the z4 will be the same in the LCD section):
If you do, then this is good, as it suggests that someone has changed the LCM, and just not coded it to the car correctly. If that is the case, you can either:
- replace with another LCM for halogens (with the two scroll wheels - one for headlight aim, one for illumination)
- replace the halogens with xenons and code the LCM to correct your VIN/milage (both stored in the light control module, as well as the instrument cluster) - this might be an issue come MOT time without the headlight levelling xenons need)
- keep the halogens, code the LCM to your VIN/milage (and forgo the headlight adjustment, which also might be an issue come MOT time!)
If it is a swapped LCM, I'd go for option 1 for MOT compliance, and ease, as all options would need coding at this point.
My first thoughts are that your LCM (light control module) has been changed, and that's why you only have the one dial (which should be for interior illumination brightness), and whoever changed it put in a xenon unit instead. You don't have headlight washers on your bumper, so I assume that the car never came with xenons, but you can confirm that here: https://www.mdecoder.com/
Do you have a 'tamper dot' on your dashboard, by the milage? (this is from an e46, but the z4 will be the same in the LCD section):
If you do, then this is good, as it suggests that someone has changed the LCM, and just not coded it to the car correctly. If that is the case, you can either:
- replace with another LCM for halogens (with the two scroll wheels - one for headlight aim, one for illumination)
- replace the halogens with xenons and code the LCM to correct your VIN/milage (both stored in the light control module, as well as the instrument cluster) - this might be an issue come MOT time without the headlight levelling xenons need)
- keep the halogens, code the LCM to your VIN/milage (and forgo the headlight adjustment, which also might be an issue come MOT time!)
If it is a swapped LCM, I'd go for option 1 for MOT compliance, and ease, as all options would need coding at this point.
Thank You, VIN does not mention the xenon headlights. Ill check for the dot. One thing I noticed on eBay when looking for the 2 dial switch is they all start at 2005. I can only find single dial for 2003. Can anyone confirm that the two dial from a 2005 + would work? Are all 4 headlights supposed to be on all the time when the headlights are on? What is supposed to happen when the high beams are enabled?
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It's hard to answer exactly what lights come on when, as you can change it with coding to an extent, but a standard factory UK/EU model car:
- off: no lights
- side lights: rear lights, interior lights, small sidelight bulb at the front
- main beam: as side lights + halogen projectors (outer)
- full beam: as main bean + halogen non-projector (inner) + blue light on the dash board
If you retrofit xenons, you get the behaviour you are seeing, which is why I think your LCM is incorrectly coded. Here is one post which shows the difference in pinouts: https://z4-forum.com/threads/retrofit-bixenon-restyled-every-models-e85-e86.127563/
(Some interesting translations, but the key info is in there)
I still think that your LCM is set for xenons. To resolve this, you'll need to connect it to a laptop with NCS or BMW Scanner (aka PA Soft) software and change the settings. The software + leads is about £20-£25.
This won't address the headlight levelling though, this would need a different LCM with both scroll wheels
> Can anyone confirm that the two dial from a 2005 + would work?
Unsure, sorry
- off: no lights
- side lights: rear lights, interior lights, small sidelight bulb at the front
- main beam: as side lights + halogen projectors (outer)
- full beam: as main bean + halogen non-projector (inner) + blue light on the dash board
If you retrofit xenons, you get the behaviour you are seeing, which is why I think your LCM is incorrectly coded. Here is one post which shows the difference in pinouts: https://z4-forum.com/threads/retrofit-bixenon-restyled-every-models-e85-e86.127563/
(Some interesting translations, but the key info is in there)
Code:
Pinning the car connector on pre Halogen headlights
1. Mass or negative
2. Low beam
3. High beam <------ your high bean is being activated
4. Position light
5. Indicators1
6. Indicators2
7. Mass or negative
8. Empty in Halogen / or pin Bixenon in pre xenon headlights
Pineado restyled bixenon lighthouse
1. Mass or negative
2. Low beam
3. Position light <---------- but the car thinks it's activating the sidelights
4. EMPTY
5. Indicators1
6. Indicators2
7. Mass or negative
8. BIXENON pin or shutterI still think that your LCM is set for xenons. To resolve this, you'll need to connect it to a laptop with NCS or BMW Scanner (aka PA Soft) software and change the settings. The software + leads is about £20-£25.
This won't address the headlight levelling though, this would need a different LCM with both scroll wheels
> Can anyone confirm that the two dial from a 2005 + would work?
Unsure, sorry
Dummies Guide to Basic coding with NCS Expert
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I've found that to be the best guide to coding. I still refer back to it as I keep forgetting the German translation for read and write!
You also don't need a powerful laptop - this is software that was written in the late 90s/early 2000s
Good luck!
The bottom two 'load sensors' will be because xenon headlights adjust their vertical aim automatically, based on the readings from the suspension position. Those sensors (front/rear load sensors) are not present on halogen equipped cars (the adjustment on those is done manually from the light switch scroll wheel). The 'open circuit' is because the sensor isn't fitted. I suspect it'll go away when you tell the car it's not got xenons
That further confirms my belief that your car is coded for xenons.
That further confirms my belief that your car is coded for xenons.
As I suspected. Im sure you are correct but Im having a hell of a time finding the correct switch for my car. Ive searched for the correct part number and this is what I find for an 03 with rain sensor with fog lights non xenon. But If I look for the part number on EBAY ect. It shows me single dial switches.
and the part number doesn't seem to match anything on the label of the parts I find on EBAY. Where is the part number located on the part?
How can I figure out the correct part number for my car to insure I get the correct part with the features I need , especially from aftermarket sellers?
Again, thank you for your patience and help!
and the part number doesn't seem to match anything on the label of the parts I find on EBAY. Where is the part number located on the part?
61-31-9-133-051
How can I figure out the correct part number for my car to insure I get the correct part with the features I need , especially from aftermarket sellers?
Again, thank you for your patience and help!
Attachments
I don't think you need to get toooo hung up on the exact part number. I know you can fit later switches (to get extra software features, for example like triple-flash for lane changes), so you should be ok to upgrade. The thing I don't know if is you need one for a prefacelift, or if the facelift ones are also interchangeable retrospectively.
The 7 digit number after 'bmw' is the part number. Taking the top example photo you added, realoem will show you that both later, and newer, versions are interchangeable. (Although note, the colour changed from a grey to a black on the facelift for some dash plastics.)
You should be able to find your part number by removing the plastic trim around the light switch, and then putting it into realoem, and seeing what you can/can't replace it with.
The 7 digit number after 'bmw' is the part number. Taking the top example photo you added, realoem will show you that both later, and newer, versions are interchangeable. (Although note, the colour changed from a grey to a black on the facelift for some dash plastics.)
You should be able to find your part number by removing the plastic trim around the light switch, and then putting it into realoem, and seeing what you can/can't replace it with.
Taking this eBay one for example...
https://ebay.us/m/oa41qs (although the part number in the photos doesn't match the listing, so probably worth checking they are selling the object in the photos...)
It's prefacelift, and has rain sensor and fog lights (I assume you're in Europe with both front/rear, but could be wrong!)
It says that it's not interchangeable with one particular switch, but is compatible with a load of others.
Hopefully that helps you find something, once you know your current part number
https://ebay.us/m/oa41qs (although the part number in the photos doesn't match the listing, so probably worth checking they are selling the object in the photos...)
It's prefacelift, and has rain sensor and fog lights (I assume you're in Europe with both front/rear, but could be wrong!)
It says that it's not interchangeable with one particular switch, but is compatible with a load of others.
Hopefully that helps you find something, once you know your current part number
I don't know about E85s, but I learnt from the American E46 forum I'm on that their halogen E46s don't have a cabin levelling wheel either. The only adjustment their Halogen cars have is with the hex key on the headlights themselves. So the same light switch regardless of Halogen or Xenon. I wouldn't be surprised if their E85s are the same
