Headlights
- Thread starter Rmd143
- Start date
Oh good points! This is interesting!
You don't have the leveling motor...
And here's a US manual - it doesn't include the levelling wheel - just the dash brightness one. Please accept my apologies - I had no idea this was a thing!
drive.google.com
I changed my projectors the other day - you can see the levelling motor here...
Unless it's the angle of your photo, I don't see that part in your headlight.
I wonder if yours is coded incorrectly, or if it's something else now. I think the best next step anyway is to get the BMW software, as it'll be guesswork otherwise.
You don't have the leveling motor...
And here's a US manual - it doesn't include the levelling wheel - just the dash brightness one. Please accept my apologies - I had no idea this was a thing!
2003_Manual_Z4.pdf
drive.google.com
I changed my projectors the other day - you can see the levelling motor here...
Unless it's the angle of your photo, I don't see that part in your headlight.
I wonder if yours is coded incorrectly, or if it's something else now. I think the best next step anyway is to get the BMW software, as it'll be guesswork otherwise.
Now Im wondering if there is a software update that may have been incorrectly added the leveling headlights. Or is it just a code. Unfortunately I only have had a work laptop for many years. I havent really needed a personal one. My old laptop is XP and isint running that well. It isint even good enough to update to a newer OS. Once I sort that out Ill learn to code. Thank You everyone for all the input so far.
You're probably in luck tbh - this stuff was all made in the Windows XP era, and trying to install it on anything later than Windows 7 is actually a total pain! (Driver compatibility/signing and other stuff like that)
That'll do all you need it too, and even usually comes with a CD, so no need to connect Windows XP to the internet.
IN THE BOX:
Diagnostic tool
Connection cable between OBD and USB port (for laptop)
Mini CD with software
The hardware/scanner arrived in a small pouch which was very basic. The Mini CD contains all the software needed, although it really is better to download it from the web.
Upon inspection, a common theme as comments in Amazon (where I got the software) is confirmed: the unit looks flimsy and it is not very robust. I tried it on an X3 (e83) and, as the OBD port is next to the driver's door, had I closed the door completely the unit would have suffered. A bit of...
Diagnostic tool
Connection cable between OBD and USB port (for laptop)
Mini CD with software
The hardware/scanner arrived in a small pouch which was very basic. The Mini CD contains all the software needed, although it really is better to download it from the web.
Upon inspection, a common theme as comments in Amazon (where I got the software) is confirmed: the unit looks flimsy and it is not very robust. I tried it on an X3 (e83) and, as the OBD port is next to the driver's door, had I closed the door completely the unit would have suffered. A bit of...
That'll do all you need it too, and even usually comes with a CD, so no need to connect Windows XP to the internet.
Projectors = main/low
Other lights = full
The main and low beams won't change between projector/not projector with coding. (But you can make the full beam be on at 50% brightness on its own as a DRL, but that would extinguish the projector if that were the case, so it is possible you'd have the full beam on on its own, all the time.)
Ok so Ive been able to get online with NCS expert and Im able to edit a module (GM5) with NCS dummy. Yea for me. However the headlight module does not show up in the list of modules
Im able to see the module with my ODB reader and have the part number.
And it looks like it should be an ok match for my car.
A quick internet search indicates maybe my VO code is not configured correctly for the module? Thoughts? Places I should look?
Im able to see the module with my ODB reader and have the part number.
And it looks like it should be an ok match for my car.
A quick internet search indicates maybe my VO code is not configured correctly for the module? Thoughts? Places I should look?
Sounds like good progress!
The headlight module is there - it's the ALSZ. I guess LCM is the English translation - the ALSZ is BMW's/the German word.
Likewise, the HVAC (English) is IHK (German), for example...
The headlight module is there - it's the ALSZ. I guess LCM is the English translation - the ALSZ is BMW's/the German word.
Likewise, the HVAC (English) is IHK (German), for example...
No worries! If you get stuck, paste your trace (the file you pull with NCS Expert) here and I'll have a look for you
I was able to extract the trace file with expert "attached" (extension changed to txt forum rules). I changed this parameter but it didnt seem to change my situation. Im sure there are more parameters that need to be set.
I would like to add some details I've discovered during my research.
in auto (left switch position) - all 4 are on when its dark. The light sensor seems to work.
In manual head lights on - (switch 1 click to the right) the middle two are on (non projector)
Pulling the high beam on (passing flash) lights the outside two (projector)
Pushing the high beam (on) doesn't light the projectors) inside two remain lit
One thing im wondering is if its possible my high beam and low beam wires are swapped?
left side
right side
I would like to add some details I've discovered during my research.
in auto (left switch position) - all 4 are on when its dark. The light sensor seems to work.
In manual head lights on - (switch 1 click to the right) the middle two are on (non projector)
Pulling the high beam on (passing flash) lights the outside two (projector)
Pushing the high beam (on) doesn't light the projectors) inside two remain lit
One thing im wondering is if its possible my high beam and low beam wires are swapped?
left side
right side
Wouldn't that be great if it was as simple as the plugs being backwards... If they swap over, I'd give it a try, but I don't think it'll fix anything, as only the projectors should be on when it's dark/in auto, not all for.
What's been throwing me, is that for the UK/EU cars, we have a 3rd bulb in our headlights:
See in the non-projector, at 6 o'clock, there is another bulb? (it comes on whenever the rear/interior lights are on) If you have the LCM set to bi-xenons, it's that pin/light which gets switched with the full beam. Looking at your photos above, the US cars don't have that bulb, so it can't be that that's ever activated instead!
I'll have a look later at your trace, but it might be worth seeing if you can find another US person who can provide a trace from their car to compare with.
What's been throwing me, is that for the UK/EU cars, we have a 3rd bulb in our headlights:
See in the non-projector, at 6 o'clock, there is another bulb? (it comes on whenever the rear/interior lights are on) If you have the LCM set to bi-xenons, it's that pin/light which gets switched with the full beam. Looking at your photos above, the US cars don't have that bulb, so it can't be that that's ever activated instead!
I'll have a look later at your trace, but it might be worth seeing if you can find another US person who can provide a trace from their car to compare with.
Here's a picture of one of mine.
Attachments
OK, I just took a quick look at this - and here's something interesting! Your car is a 2003, I think you said?
You have coding index of 37. This is from the very last of the E85/E86 models, so your LCM has defo been swapped.
I totally missed that on your print screen of the part number, where it says 'from 2006'...
So that's part of the mystery solved. The next question is, can we make it work...
You have coding index of 37. This is from the very last of the E85/E86 models, so your LCM has defo been swapped.
I totally missed that on your print screen of the part number, where it says 'from 2006'...
So that's part of the mystery solved. The next question is, can we make it work...
That little bulb is your side light (thats what I call it). If you had angel eyes it would tap into that.
1x bulb for high beam H7
1x bulb for low beam (behind the projector) H7
1x side light bulb
2x indicator bulbs
That's the thing though - OP's USA car doesn't have the side light! Crazy, right?
I make no promises, but give this a try.
If it's worse, then upload your original trace and it'll revert back to how things were. I struggled to find anyone else who has done this (facelift LCM into prefacelift car) - but it seems that it _might_ need wiring changes to make this work correctly. Personally, I'd be inclined to find a prefacelift LCM and just code the VIN/mileage to match your car.
