replacement xenon bulbs

R

rus

Member
 Wiltshire
hello folks

anyone replaced theirs lately? my headlights condensed up over the weekend after i replaced the side lights under cover in the rain! thought that running the main headlights would help dispers this but failed!!! any ways, the drivers side main light has died. Left the covers off the backs of the lights for a day and looked at the bulb but not too sure like other bulbs if this one is now shot. does anyone know how much and where i could source one on a bank holiday monday please?
 
The chances are it's not the bulb that's shot, rather the ballast that is fastened to the underneath of the light, else the connectors. The bulb typically lasts the lifetime of the car.

I'd say zero chance of getting one on a Sunday/Bank holiday Monday. Dealer will be open Tuesday but incredibly expensive so perhaps a mortor factors to order. Cheapest on ebay.

If it were me I'd switch bulbs left to right and eliminate first before buying, but observe all the correct safety procedures with high voltage xenons :!: :!:

Initial cause is most likely the rear cover seal is damaged or not seated correctly after oyu last opened it.
 
cj10jeeper said:
The chances are it's not the bulb that's shot, rather the ballast that is fastened to the underneath of the light, else the connectors. The bulb typically lasts the lifetime of the car.

I'd say zero chance of getting one on a Sunday/Bank holiday Monday. Dealer will be open Tuesday but incredibly expensive so perhaps a mortor factors to order. Cheapest on ebay.

If it were me I'd switch bulbs left to right and eliminate first before buying, but observe all the correct safety procedures with high voltage xenons :!: :!:

Initial cause is most likely the rear cover seal is damaged or not seated correctly after oyu last opened it.
Click to expand...

Question...my headlights yehh...they have 2 like lights dont they....guessing side lights and low/high beam
Well the outermost ones look like xenons dont they? (i think they do)
But they arent are they? cos ive got regular lights
So why do they look similar?
My 1 series had boggo lights and they look totally diff to what ive got on the z4
 
Woots - you been drinkin' again mate?

They all look similar from the front as both the xenon and halogen sit behind an identical lens assembly. You can tell by stickers under the bonnet, different switch on the dash and a myriad of other ways. Since you don't seem to hgave headlight washers oyu have haloge,
 
cj10jeeper said:
Woots - you been drinkin' again mate?

They all look similar from the front as both the xenon and halogen sit behind an identical lens assembly. You can tell by stickers under the bonnet, different switch on the dash and a myriad of other ways. Since you don't seem to hgave headlight washers oyu have haloge,
Click to expand...


Oh rite...didnt kno they sat behind the same lens...thats a bit odd isnt it? So why can u just swap halogens for xenons??
Or do u need like totally different wiring looms etc
 
Woots said:
cj10jeeper said:
Woots - you been drinkin' again mate?

They all look similar from the front as both the xenon and halogen sit behind an identical lens assembly. You can tell by stickers under the bonnet, different switch on the dash and a myriad of other ways. Since you don't seem to hgave headlight washers oyu have haloge,
Click to expand...


Oh rite...didnt kno they sat behind the same lens...thats a bit odd isnt it? So why can u just swap halogens for xenons??
Or do u need like totally different wiring looms etc
Click to expand...

Woots - read some of the threads on converting to xenon or HIDs. You can of course just fit aftermarket xenon bulbs and a ballast into the halogen units you but there are many other considerations - law, self levelling, washers, etc. To do it correctly you need to replace the lights completely, change the LCM, etc, etc. and expensive task. Tehre are of course many alternative shotcuts and compromises, but do a bit of searching.
 
cj10jeeper said:
Woots said:
cj10jeeper said:
Woots - you been drinkin' again mate?

They all look similar from the front as both the xenon and halogen sit behind an identical lens assembly. You can tell by stickers under the bonnet, different switch on the dash and a myriad of other ways. Since you don't seem to hgave headlight washers oyu have haloge,
Click to expand...


Oh rite...didnt kno they sat behind the same lens...thats a bit odd isnt it? So why can u just swap halogens for xenons??
Or do u need like totally different wiring looms etc
Click to expand...

Woots - read some of the threads on converting to xenon or HIDs. You can of course just fit aftermarket xenon bulbs and a ballast into the halogen units you but there are many other considerations - law, self levelling, washers, etc. To do it correctly you need to replace the lights completely, change the LCM, etc, etc. and expensive task. Tehre are of course many alternative shotcuts and compromises, but do a bit of searching.
Click to expand...
Tbh im not too concerned...xenons are a pain..well when other ppl have them but im just gonna save my money for a new car...once ive gotten round to taming the beast ive got already :| :)
 
thanks for the info. i swapped the ballests over this morning at 6am! both work fine. so its either the bulb or the wiring. hoping to track a bulb down today from the local motor factors and go from there.
 
rus said:
thanks for the info. i swapped the ballests over this morning at 6am! both work fine. so its either the bulb or the wiring. hoping to track a bulb down today from the local motor factors and go from there.
Click to expand...

Try swapping the bulbs over left to right as a xenon is going to cost you dear. After that it's connectors, wiring or even the LCM
 
hmm ok, will check the bulb again later. if not a call to local garage and get them to sort it lol.
 
cars booked into garage to find the fault. both ballest and bulbs work fine on the passenger side.
 
Saved the £60 cost of a bulb then if they both work:)

I know I'm asking an obvious question but did you actually change the ballasts over? They are screwed onto the underneath of each headlight unit? Just with you saying you did that at 6.00am it sounded a bit too enthusiastic to strip the bumper off and take the light units out.
 
i was wrong about the ballest, what i presumed was the ballest was the starter unit.

car was plugged in today and the garage presumes its the ballest/controller unit. just need to source a unit now.

cj dont suppose you know if a unit with 5DV 008 290-00 is the correct unit for the z4?
 
rus said:
i was wrong about the ballest, what i presumed was the ballest was the starter unit.

car was plugged in today and the garage presumes its the ballest/controller unit. just need to source a unit now.

cj dont suppose you know if a unit with 5DV 008 290-00 is the correct unit for the z4?
Click to expand...


I knew you didn't swap over the ballast but was just being kind :)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BT52&mospid=47797&btnr=63_0766&hg=63&fg=05
you need 63126907488. I'd however check Ebay as they are way cheaper

The part number you quote I think is the generic hella number and shoudl be good.
 
found the bumper removal guide on here and managed to remove the bumper, but found that the ballast is only removalable when the headlight is out :( so removed the headlight, and about a pint of water fell ouf of the headlight! the headlight was dried out over night, clear sealent placed around the seal of the light and reinstalled last night. now fully works :thumbsup: wasnt too happy with the arch lining clips so have purchased some more on line.

i found a ballast on ebay for £80 delivered from the uk, which was a bargin instead of the £200+ BMW wanted!

in all pleased with how it went and all lines line through and light sitting correctly.

thank you for your help cj.
 
2 weeks after I bought my certified 07 Z4, a xenon headlight (or maybe the ballast) went out. As I was headed to the dealer this week for other work, I'll just have it fixed at that time. The car is under the factory warranty for the next year.

I was always taught to replace both headlights, taillights, etc., even if only one burned out. Chances are the other bulb will burn out soon after if you don't. So, I'm going to try to get the dealer to change the other side's bulb/ballast, etc. while I'm there, even though it's not malfunctioning, YET. Wish me luck. I'll post my results.
 
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