Flickering Lights

[Ruofdez]

Irritatingly I failed to notice this when buying the car yesterday but both lights are flickering badly and it seems to be constant. I've done a bit of a search but most people seem to be complaining of just one side rather than two and I'm guessing that will help to narrow down the issue.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Look like cheap LEDs to me, if you want LEDs then pop some Philips/Osram ones in, or pop bulbs back in.

 

[Silva1]

as above, cheap nasty leds. Typically lasts a few weeks at best

 

[Chris_D]

:lol:

 

[Ruofdez]

Hopefully it’s that simple! Where the lights are practically unusable as they are I do find it odd that someone would have left both sides like that but I’ll get some new bulbs and see if that sorts it out.

 

[Ruofdez]

:lol:
disco.jpg

:lol:

 

[Ruofdez]

Bit confused as to which bulbs should be used as on the lenses it has DS2 H7. Dipped headlights look to me like they might be xenon rather than halogen however I have the headlight height adjustment dial on the dash. I'll have to look later under the bonnet to see if there's a xenon warning sticker and see if the levelling dial actually does anything.

 

[Silva1]

The sidelights are 501 iirc - well it looks like its the sidelight that is out to me

 

[Ruofdez]

The sidelights are 501 iirc - well it looks like its the sidelight that is out to me

Sorry, yes it's the sidelight. Thanks, will have a proper look later when I'm out the office but I'm sure you're right.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

They're a bugger to change, it's honestly easier with the wheel off, probably why they flicker and were not replaced! If you want LEDs there (longevity, power saving with parking light on) then put in some decent non-"CANBUS compatible" ones in, if not, new blubs

 

[Ruofdez]

They're a bugger to change, it's honestly easier with the wheel off, probably why they flicker and were not replaced! If you want LEDs there (longevity, power saving with parking light on) then put in some decent non-"CANBUS compatible" ones in, if not, new blubs

Thank you. I’ve ordered some decent Osram bulbs which should arrive soon. Getting my roof motor relocated at the weekend so that should give me a chance to change them over. Until then it will be disco mode! Luckily only one time I have to drive in the dark until then.

 

[Ruofdez]

Changed the bulbs over and seems to have done the trick, thanks all. Can see why the last owner didn’t bother, bit fiddly!

The wheel arch liner on both sides isn’t in the best condition though so might look into replacing them.

 

[thecremeegg]

My full beams flicker and trigger a bulb warning...tried new bulbs, same thing.
Never managed to fix it!

 

[Ruofdez]

My full beams flicker and trigger a bulb warning...tried new bulbs, same thing.
Never managed to fix it!

When I was reading up on it some people suggested looking for bent pins. Perhaps worth a look?

 

[thecremeegg]

My full beams flicker and trigger a bulb warning...tried new bulbs, same thing.
Never managed to fix it!

When I was reading up on it some people suggested looking for bent pins. Perhaps worth a look?

Hmm interesting! Where abouts should I be looking can you remember?

 

[Ruofdez]

It may not be relevant but this is the kind of thing I found on another BMW forum:

there are pins inside that pinch around the bulb. They can become relaxed over time and not make 100% connection 100% of the time, hence, probably causing your flicker issue.

I came across a few different posts like this but didn't save them sorry. What type of bulbs are they?

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

then put in some decent non-"CANBUS compatible" ones

Do you mean non-CANBUS compatible - that is, bulbs that are not compatible with CANBUS?
Or was it a typo?
Sorry to appear dim, but just after clarification as I am a little confused - I assumed a CANBUS compatible bulb should be used.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

No, avoid the "CANBUS compatible" LEDs - to prevent the bulb warning they simply use a load resistor, so a 1W LED package adds a 4W resistor. Invariably this is too much heat to dissipate and then the disco begins. It also defeats the point of using LEDs.

So if you want to fit and forget LEDs, get some decent ones from OSRAM/Philips, code out the checks, and pop them in. There's a reason the big names in lighting don't offer "CANBUS compatible" ones. Mine have been in for 4/5 years now with no issues and I don't worry about leaving the parking lights on!