Anyone seen this before and have any idea how to solve it!?

LukeMace

Senior member
 Northampton
This is a link of exactly what my car has started to do... :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP0YR2L-v4I

Any ideas?
 
Put some desriptive text with it to help clarify the issue.

Are you switching the headlights off and on causing them to cycle?
Is it doing this constantly? One headlight or both?

Are your suspension level sensors connected and not broken?
 
Exactly as described in the video. The light (on one side - passengers) when turned on makes this noise. it does this each time the lights are switched on. the light will try and level, there is then a grinding noise, then it will go back to its original position.
 
Then I'd suggest the stepper motor is knackered and would start by replacing that.

I think I have some at home if you struggle to get one.
 
cj10jeeper said:
Then I'd suggest the stepper motor is knackered and would start by replacing that.

I think I have some at home if you struggle to get one.

Your a star! That gives me somewhere to start. I will have a look around to see if I can get a hold of one, if big I'll drop you a PM :) thanks for the tip
 
Is there one master side that the other follows to keep its level or do they work independent from each other? Because the left (passengers side) is the one with the issue but the right one moves in the same pattern, but without the noise.
 
So... Had it up in the air to find the sensor (I thought there was one on each suspension assy... There is only one! On the front drivers side wishbone... Mine had snapped and so the light was trying to go further than it actually needed I guess.

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It had snapped at the very top end underneath. Cable tied it back into position now to see if it holds... If it does... GREAT! If not I will get around to ordering it! But having tested it the grinding seems to of now gone away :thumbsup:
 
There are 2 sensors not 4. One front one back.

However back to my original post that was a key item to check and sound like you got the culprit.

Best just get a new one from BMW as it has to survive every up and down of the suspension and zip tied will most likley fail an MOT as it controls light levelling.
 
cj10jeeper said:
There are 2 sensors not 4. One front one back.

However back to my original post that was a key item to check and sound like you got the culprit.

Best just get a new one from BMW as it has to survive every up and down of the suspension and zip tied will most likley fail an MOT as it controls light levelling.

Appreciate your help!
Where is the rear sensor? Couldn't for the life of me see one! :scratchhead:
 
Very interesting to know, Glad you got it sorted :thumbsup: Luke, do you think this had anything to do with your suspension drop?
 
Drshemming said:
Very interesting to know, Glad you got it sorted :thumbsup: Luke, do you think this had anything to do with your suspension drop?

That was my first thought. I think that either when the wishbone pushed down to get to the strut (may of pushed too hard and snapped) OR because of the drop, the extra travel that it has to do because of the drop may of snapped it (going over a sharp bump etc) Not sure. But it could of done it. Im not sure of any other reason it would of snapped?

Still gotta get round to sorting my amp too! time is just disappearing at the minute! A 7 week old little one is a pretty good excuse i think to have time sucked away!!
 
Can't remember which suspension member it's on, but pretty obvious.

Most common cause of failure is as you suspect from swapping springs. Usually disconnecting the rear shock then pressing the lower wishbone down far enough to change springs. That snaps the sensor off if you're not careful.
 
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