Xenon Headlight flickers

Z

ZetaQuattro

Member
 By the Beach in SD County, CA
Is it normal for slight flickering to happen w/the xenon bulbs? everytime I drive over a little bump or slightly uneven road the headlight flickers...

-ZetaQuattro :driving:
 
No, just on start up for a few seconds as the light 'strikes' before settling on.

I suspect a loose connection of the main HT lead to the rear of the bulb housing, or perhaps ballast or bulb is on its way out.

Although I'm sure you know can I strongly suggest you do not mess about with cover off touching wires to see. It's extremely dangerous with the high voltage when they are running. Turn off everything leave it a minute then check for the components tightness
 
It might be the auto levelling (that's what happening when they first come on) so everytime there's a variation in ride height they adjust for optimal range.

Might seem like the lights flicker up and down.
 
cj10jeeper said:
No, just on start up for a few seconds as the light 'strikes' before settling on.

I suspect a loose connection of the main HT lead to the rear of the bulb housing, or perhaps ballast or bulb is on its way out.

Although I'm sure you know can I strongly suggest you do not mess about with cover off touching wires to see. It's extremely dangerous with the high voltage when they are running. Turn off everything leave it a minute then check for the components tightness
Click to expand...

I was reading my owner's manual to see how I can reach in to the bulb....thinking the bulb is a little loose or something from when BMW adjusted my headlight position...but since you mention the wiring and I had just gotten my car on Sunday I called my service advisor to have them check it out tomorrow. The flickering or blinking seems to happen more often with the driverside headlight...
Hopefully they'll get it taken care of...

Thanks for the advice all!

-ZetaQuattro :driving:
 
ZetaQuattro said:
cj10jeeper said:
No, just on start up for a few seconds as the light 'strikes' before settling on.

I suspect a loose connection of the main HT lead to the rear of the bulb housing, or perhaps ballast or bulb is on its way out.

Although I'm sure you know can I strongly suggest you do not mess about with cover off touching wires to see. It's extremely dangerous with the high voltage when they are running. Turn off everything leave it a minute then check for the components tightness
Click to expand...

I was reading my owner's manual to see how I can reach in to the bulb....thinking the bulb is a little loose or something from when BMW adjusted my headlight position...but since you mention the wiring and I had just gotten my car on Sunday I called my service advisor to have them check it out tomorrow. The flickering or blinking seems to happen more often with the driverside headlight...
Hopefully they'll get it taken care of...



Thanks for the advice all!

-ZetaQuattro :driving:
Click to expand...

I'm sure BMW will take care of it if you just picked up the car so recently.
Do post what the fault was as it's always interesting to know the outcome.
 
Got my car back today...they found that the internal holding clamps of my driverside headlight was broken and needed to be replaced, and they just transferred the bulb and the module over to the new one. So 1 new headlight and 4 rivets later took the car out for a little drive with Mr. ZetaTre, and everything is good to go...

Now I can continue improving my stick skillZ.... :driving:
 
ZetaQuattro said:
Got my car back today...they found that the internal holding clamps of my driverside headlight was broken and needed to be replaced, and they just transferred the bulb and the module over to the new one. So 1 new headlight and 4 rivets later took the car out for a little drive with Mr. ZetaTre, and everything is good to go...

Now I can continue improving my stick skillZ.... :driving:
Click to expand...

Glad you got it sorted and it was a simple mechanical fault in the light
 
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