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.
Scooba_Steve
Lifer
A photo would help us.Rmd143 said:
TriggerFish
Member
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?
Last edited:
TriggerFish
Member
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