I Need Some Help with a Weird/Confusing Problem with X5 Xenon Headlights

[BimmerM3inGA]

Let me bounce this off you:

When I hook it up to DIS, I can activate each of the lights in the car individually (left low beam, right high beam, left fog light, right brake light, etc). When I perform that test, the lights work perfectly every time. The problem also doesn't change if I swap the entire lights side to side.

If the problem is with the module in the light itself (or the bulb or the igniter), the light wouldn't work during the test, correct? But it does. So that makes me think the problem is not with the actual headlight.

Plus there's this: 3E LCM: Fault, ALC control unit

[525iT_Feen]

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

Let me bounce this off you:

When I hook it up to DIS, I can activate each of the lights in the car individually (left low beam, right high beam, left fog light, right brake light, etc). When I perform that test, the lights work perfectly every time. The problem also doesn't change if I swap the entire lights side to side.

If the problem is with the module in the light itself (or the bulb or the igniter), the light wouldn't work during the test, correct? But it does. So that makes me think the problem is not with the actual headlight.

Plus there's this: 3E LCM: Fault, ALC control unit

I don't think there is anything wrong with the headlight on either side. I think there is some sort of short inside of the Light Control Module (LCM). The LCM and the ALC control unit are two individual modules however there is a portion of the LCM that interacts with the ALC module. Using my often flawed logic if it's giving you fault codes for LCM: ALC I would assume its an issue with the actual LCM. Had it given you a fault code for JUST the ALC module it would be a different story but again I don't think that would actually prevent anything from working.I believe the unit itself is faulty.

I am not very familiar with how DIS, GT1, auto logic, or how any really work with checking modules so I can't touch on that but it definitely seems like an LCM issue from my previous experience's with my 01 740i.

Search SiteSearch 61356961140 - 61356961140 - MODULE - ES#169173

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

Again I'm not sure but because the fault seems to come off the LCM specifically I would start there. Maybe just try disconnecting and reconnecting it once to see if anything changes and/or check if there are any software updates for the actual LCM?

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

Let me bounce this off you:

When I hook it up to DIS, I can activate each of the lights in the car individually (left low beam, right high beam, left fog light, right brake light, etc). When I perform that test, the lights work perfectly every time. The problem also doesn't change if I swap the entire lights side to side.

I'm assuming when you said swap entire lights side to side did you plug in the entire assemblies in the other side or just swap bulbs/ballasts"igniters" to the other side?

If the problem is with the module in the light itself (or the bulb or the igniter), the light wouldn't work during the test, correct? But it does. So that makes me think the problem is not with the actual headlight.
If you can activate the headlights via DIS individually no issues then I don't see it being a headlight (bulb or ballast) issue.

Plus there's this: 3E LCM: Fault, ALC control unit

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ease-help.html

According to this thread the ALC module is behind the glovebox as well. Under the headlight is a separate module.