Sonar 2xcite indicator lights

[koopa]

I've just had these installed today but the indicator bulbs are always on when the ignition is on. Is there any way to cancel this as it seems pointless for them to be on all the time when driving about? My mechanic said it was a normal EU feature for BMW's or something or other. There's no warning light on the dash and the indicator lights turn off when the angel eyes come on when I turn on the sidelights.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

My mechanic said it was a normal EU feature for BMW's or something or other.

BS

Indicator on indicates a sidelight bulb out, but weird they don't throw a code. Are only the angel eyes wired to the sidelights or the top 'eyebrow' too?

 

[koopa]

My mechanic said it was a normal EU feature for BMW's or something or other.

BS

Indicator on indicates a sidelight bulb out, but weird they don't throw a code. Are only the angel eyes wired to the sidelights or the top 'eyebrow' too?

I had a feeling it would be to indicate a bulb out but the lack of a code on the dash had me stumped. I think he's only wired the angel eyes to the sidelights but can't be sure. I told him I didn't want the eyebrows used so maybe this is why both indicator lights are on because it thinks two bulbs aren't connected?

 

[Rucky]

If you are talking about the 2 Excite Headlights - I fitted a pair to my first Z4 worked fine - he has his wires crossed somewhre I suspect.
Most likely the side lights / Angel Eyes wire is connected to the indicators which would account for the indicators being on all the time when the ignition is on.
Angle eyes should have been wired to the side lights and the indicators to the indicator.
Do the side lights flash when you put the indicators on?
The Angel eye can be wired to side lights, headlights, indicators or a separate switch as it is a flu ying lead - not part of the plug

I had issues with poor earths and ended up soldering the wires to the connectors on the headlights which were just push fit.

 

[koopa]

If you are talking about the 2 Excite Headlights - I fitted a pair to my first Z4 worked fine - he has his wires crossed somewhre I suspect.
Most likely the side lights / Angel Eyes wire is connected to the indicators which would account for the indicators being on all the time when the ignition is on.
Angle eyes should have been wired to the side lights and the indicators to the indicator.
Do the side lights flash when you put the indicators on?
The Angel eye can be wired to side lights, headlights, indicators or a separate switch as it is a flu ying lead - not part of the plug

I had issues with poor earths and ended up soldering the wires to the connectors on the headlights which were just push fit.

No, the sidelights don't flash when the indicators are used. The angel eyes come on fine when I put the sidelights on, it's just the indicator bulbs are dimly lit at the same time, but not as bright as when the indicators are used fully. The beam also only illuminates a few meters in front of the car on the offside when the dipped lights are on! Why can't anything be simple!

 

[Rucky]

On mine the earth wires (black) were just pushed down the side of the bulb holders. This made the lights dim and intermittent. Hence I soldered the earth's to the side of the metal bulb holders. You might want to check the earth's.

 

[koopa]

On mine the earth wires (black) were just pushed down the side of the bulb holders. This made the lights dim and intermittent. Hence I soldered the earth's to the side of the metal bulb holders. You might want to check the earth's.

Will do. I'm going to stick resistors on and have a go at the adjusters and see how it goes. Appreciate the help

 

[Haro]

The guys wired something wrong, the lights wiring is faulty or there are no bulbs in the top strip light, which are a nightmare to replace in situ. The top strip light is the side light in the headlights wiring loom/connector, the angel eyes are then wired into that connection so as not to trip bulb out as they would if solely connected. I've got the same lights but ccfl not led. I wired the top strip as another indicator with led's in both and coded out bulb check. You could put a resistor in and it may work, but I would say something is amiss to cause it.

Edit, just noticed he didn't wire the top light, so that's the fault. Either code out or try resistor.

 

[patriot66]

"bulbs in the top strip light, which are a nightmare to replace in situ" Nightmare ? Actually impossible to get to in situ. I've had Sonar lights for almost 6 years now and that is really my only complaint....front bumper off and lights off just to change 2 poxy W5W bulbs ! I fitted a pair of Halfords LEDs as they last MUCH longer and give a brighter and whiter light. Not cheap (£15/pair !) but saves a lot of bother.
Also, I wired the Halos, small marker LEDs in between the Halos and the top strip "eyebrows" all in to the sidelight connection and have never had an issue/error

 

[Haro]

You can replace the bulbs with long nose pliers, add a little grease to the bulb holder base so they don't stick and undo easier. As said, I have ccfl angel eyes and they did trip the bulb out when I changed the strip to an indicator.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I told him I didn't want the eyebrows used so maybe this is why both indicator lights are on because it thinks two bulbs aren't connected?

Just code the sidelight hot and cold bulb checks out, problem solved.

 

[patriot66]

You can replace the bulbs with long nose pliers, add a little grease to the bulb holder base so they don't stick and undo easier. As said, I have ccfl angel eyes and they did trip the bulb out when I changed the strip to an indicator.

I have tried needle nose pliers in the past and couldn't get enough purchase on the pliers in the limited space available to twist the bulb holder out. Next time I need to change the bulbs I'll try a bit of red rubber grease on the o-ring

 

[Haro]

You can replace the bulbs with long nose pliers, add a little grease to the bulb holder base so they don't stick and undo easier. As said, I have ccfl angel eyes and they did trip the bulb out when I changed the strip to an indicator.

I have tried needle nose pliers in the past and couldn't get enough purchase on the pliers in the limited space available to twist the bulb holder out. Next time I need to change the bulbs I'll try a bit of red rubber grease on the o-ring

A long spanner, maybe 12mm? something like that would do it as well. Like you I have led's in so should last for years yet, fingers crossed!

 

[koopa]

Thanks for the replies I've just realised that the indicator bulbs only stay on when I turn the sidelights on, not all the time which I originally thought. So I think that just confirms that I need resistors. I still don't know how there isn't a warning light on the dash because of it though. Also, how easy is it to manually adjust these lights? Is it just a case of going through the wheel arch with a screwdriver?

 

[Haro]

Adjustment is easy, 2 8mm (from memory) adjusters for each light. It must reading some voltage drop but maybe not enough to trigger the light out. A resistor or coding will fix it if he's left the bulbs out and wired it just to the angel eyes.

 

[koopa]

Just coming back to this topic as I'm going to attempt to stick resistors on as the mot is due soon and it will fail as the indicator flashes really quick. Does anyone know of any guides knocking about on how to do it and any links to the correct resistors I need? I was just going to buy these https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs/halfords-501-led-resistor-kit-719249.html

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Just coming back to this topic as I'm going to attempt to stick resistors on as the mot is due soon and it will fail as the indicator flashes really quick. Does anyone know of any guides knocking about on how to do it and any links to the correct resistors I need? I was just going to buy these https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs/halfords-501-led-resistor-kit-719249.html

Just code out the checks, mucking about with wiring just leaves another potential point of failure, though fast flashing means an indicator issue. The 2xcite sets have a load resistor for the indicators, but are you sure all the indicators work, including rears?

 

[koopa]

Just coming back to this topic as I'm going to attempt to stick resistors on as the mot is due soon and it will fail as the indicator flashes really quick. Does anyone know of any guides knocking about on how to do it and any links to the correct resistors I need? I was just going to buy these https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs/halfords-501-led-resistor-kit-719249.html

Just code out the checks, mucking about with wiring just leaves another potential point of failure, though fast flashing means an indicator issue. The 2xcite sets have a load resistor for the indicators, but are you sure all the indicators work, including rears?

How do I code them out? Yeah, all indicators are working, just the offside is flashing like a mad man.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

How do I code them out?

You need NCS or Carly.

just the offside is flashing

Tried swapping bulbs over on each side?

 

[koopa]

How do I code them out?

You need NCS or Carly.

just the offside is flashing

Tried swapping bulbs over on each side?

I've just got it booked into someone who knows what they're doing. I don't have or know anyone with Carly or NCS and my practical skills are laughable so not really wise to attempt anything!