2004 4.8iS Headlight ALC Module Question

[80stech]

I don't see any problem with using a relay to power one side, much better than jumpering both sides together and doubling the load on the LCM driver and wiring. Might produce some codes but should be functional till you replace the LCM like you said.

[BimmerE38E53]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Just updating this thread as well as my failed driver's head light also turned out to be a failed LCM.

Oddly enough there was some water in the old ALC (I replaced it with used after cleaning out the water residue and resealing everything) module but that turned out to not be the cause of the failed driver's side low beam. Verified this by moving the driver's side to the passenger's side light and having all functions work properly. After removing the LCM it appears there was some water intrusion, probably during the torrential rains we had earlier in the year. Unfortunately these later model LCM IV's are not serviceable and so I will have to either buy new or retrofit a used one. I am also no longer able to communicate with the LCM via Carly BMW as an additional indicator.

I am going to try and do a relay (to prevent damage to passenger side circuitry in LCM) and jump the passenger side power to the driver's side so that I will at least gain full headlight functionality until I am willing to drop the $480 on a new unit or $200 on a used unit. Thoughts on feasibility of this approach? I see no problems with it, but maybe I'm not thinking of something.

Since you're going to replace the faulty LCM anyway doesn't seem to be a bad solution. FYI my E38 was sick for the past couple of weeks and I have been driving the X everyday. My jumper wire that doubles the load on my faulty LCM hasn't failed me yet. I absolutely hate all of the headlight modules that are required for lights on the X. I'm thinking about getting rid of the adaptive headlight functionality and trying a new set of headlights. We will see though. The upgrade to the halos is quite nice lol.

[crystalworks]

Thanks for the input guys. I agree all the modules can be a bit tiresome, but it's all part of the German engineering we all love. And now, I believe almost all new cars use LCM's to control the lighting system.

My beef is not that there ARE lots of modules, it's that for some reason they are all placed in locations of possible water intrusion. LOL. That's what gets me.

[crystalworks]

Well, performed my workaround and now have low beams again. I'll do a DIY for it as I did it all at the LCM/fuse box area. Buuuuut my headlight auto level on the driver's side doesn't work. Bimmere38e53 does your leveling system work with your jumper wire? Mine is not. I replaced my ALC module on that headlight with a used unit but I didn't think the ALC module (under the headlight) needed to be coded.

I am going to do some troubleshooting but I can't seem to find the adaptive headlight control module's (A214) location. I'm trying to track down connector X10513 so I can do some diagnostics on it. Anyone have any ideas?

Edit: After doing some google searching it looks like the module is behind the glove box. That sound right? Looking for the 18pin X10513 connector that sends signals to the headlight solenoids.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I am going to do some troubleshooting but I can't seem to find the adaptive headlight control module's (A214) location. I'm trying to track down connector X10513 so I can do some diagnostics on it. Anyone have any ideas?

Edit: After doing some google searching it looks like the module is behind the glove box. That sound right? Looking for the 18pin X10513 connector that sends signals to the headlight solenoids.

crystalworks - the documentation I have indicates that module A214 is in "storage location C110" which is under the centre console.

A214 Adaptive headlight
Plug connector overview
Number X-pin, colour Description
X10513 18-pin, blue Plug connector Adaptive headlight

Pin assignments at plug connector X10513
Pin Type Description / Signal type Connection /
Measuring notes
1 E Voltage supply terminal 30 Fuse F15

2 A Component supply Left headlight

3 A Component supply Right headlight

4 M Ground Ground point

5 M Sensor ground Front right level sensor

6 M Sensor ground Rear right level sensor

7 E Voltage supply, terminal 15 Fuse F6

8 E Nominal value pick-up, load/level sensor Rear right level sensor

9 E Nominal value pick-up, load/level sensor Front right level sensor

10 E Brake light signal Brake light switch

11 Not used

12 A/E I/K-bus signal link Connector, I/K-bus

13 A/E CAN-bus high CAN-bus connector

14 A/E CAN-bus low CAN-bus connector

15 A Component supply Front right level sensor

16 A Component supply Rear right level sensor

17 A/E Bus signal, headlight vertical aim control Left headlight

18 A/E Bus signal, headlight vertical aim control Right headlight


X10513 Adapter 614470, storage location C110

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by wpoll

crystalworks - the documentation I have indicates that module A214 is in "storage location C110" which is under the centre console.

Thanks, that is the info I have as well... but C110 has been elusive. I see pics showing it in the spare tire module area (where PDC and radio is) and pics of it in the A/V rack in the back. Was wondering if anyone knew where the module was for sure. Looks like I'll just have to poke around until I find it.

[crystalworks]

Okay, after doing some more reading. LOL, most of the answers were in this thread ironically. I am not sure why I don't have leveling in my driver's light. Going to use a multimeter to verify the AHL is sending signals to the light. If I do get signals to the light... then I will switch the driver's side back to the passenger side to see if it goes through the leveling procedure upon startup. If it doesn't, then I know the problem is either the used LCM module I put on, or the stepper motors inside the headlight being damaged somehow.

Uggggghhhhhh... I'm wondering if the LCM disables the light due to the fault with the adaptive light system... whether it be the ALC or the AHL??? Man do I ever need to get DIS and the other diagnostics software working...

Update: Checked pins 9 and 10 on the headlight connector which come from the AHL to the ALC and have +12v constant on 10 and +12v on activation of the headlights (auto) on pin 9. That leads me to believe the AHL is doing what it is supposed to do. So... I can cross that module off the list.

This leads me to believe that the problem is either the new (used) ALC module I put on this headlight... or the problem is internal and when the ALC module shorted it took out the stepper motor(s) in the headlight. So once again the bumper has to come off. LOL The universe is not going to be happy until those clips on the side of the fenders are broken apparently.

[BimmerE38E53]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Well, performed my workaround and now have low beams again. I'll do a DIY for it as I did it all at the LCM/fuse box area. Buuuuut my headlight auto level on the driver's side doesn't work. Bimmere38e53 does your leveling system work with your jumper wire? Mine is not. I replaced my ALC module on that headlight with a used unit but I didn't think the ALC module (under the headlight) needed to be coded.

I am going to do some troubleshooting but I can't seem to find the adaptive headlight control module's (A214) location. I'm trying to track down connector X10513 so I can do some diagnostics on it. Anyone have any ideas?

Edit: After doing some google searching it looks like the module is behind the glove box. That sound right? Looking for the 18pin X10513 connector that sends signals to the headlight solenoids.

Funny you mention the leveling. So my drivers side quit working all together light wouldn't come on. No self level....nothing. Once I tested and realized that it wasn't getting any power...I put in the jumper wire. Previously the passenger side was working and functioning properly. Now....all the lights work, but the drivers side does its adaptive functions and leveling but the passenger side will not!!!! It's never ending with these lights. To top it off had my cv axle boot bust and had to replace that. Now I have a vibration under acceleration that was there previously, but is more noticeable now. It's baffling me. I wanna just replace both headlights and go back to stock halos. But then I drive her and love the upgraded halos haha. Jumper wire still going strong btw. Haven't had a single issue. Of course that's only until I click reply to this post. Then something will happen haha. The ALC does not need coding btw. I have replaced them in other vehicles as well where they were the issue and never needed coding.

[BimmerE38E53]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Okay, after doing some more reading. LOL, most of the answers were in this thread ironically. I am not sure why I don't have leveling in my driver's light. Going to use a multimeter to verify the AHL is sending signals to the light. If I do get signals to the light... then I will switch the driver's side back to the passenger side to see if it goes through the leveling procedure upon startup. If it doesn't, then I know the problem is either the used LCM module I put on, or the stepper motors inside the headlight being damaged somehow.

Uggggghhhhhh... I'm wondering if the LCM disables the light due to the fault with the adaptive light system... whether it be the ALC or the AHL??? Man do I ever need to get DIS and the other diagnostics software working...

Update: Checked pins 9 and 10 on the headlight connector which come from the AHL to the ALC and have +12v constant on 10 and +12v on activation of the headlights (auto) on pin 9. That leads me to believe the AHL is doing what it is supposed to do. So... I can cross that module off the list.

This leads me to believe that the problem is either the new (used) ALC module I put on this headlight... or the problem is internal and when the ALC module shorted it took out the stepper motor(s) in the headlight. So once again the bumper has to come off. LOL The universe is not going to be happy until those clips on the side of the fenders are broken apparently.

And I believe you are correct in the location.

This is the fault that I am still getting. The ALC is the module under the headlight. And it is not at fault. I have replaced with brand new and the old one. Both work. The fact that the LCM is giving the fault leads me to believe it's either internal in the LCM or the AHL. Not good at running down electrical checks though so I'm not really sure.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by BimmerE38E53

And I believe you are correct in the location.

This is the fault that I am still getting. The ALC is the module under the headlight. And it is not at fault. I have replaced with brand new and the old one. Both work. The fact that the LCM is giving the fault leads me to believe it's either internal in the LCM or the AHL. Not good at running down electrical checks though so I'm not really sure.

Check at the headlight harness for voltage on the two signal wires form the AHL. If you have voltage (like I do) the problem is not likely to be in the AHL. Especially if you are getting the same readings from both the driver's and passenger's sides. I'm betting that there has been damage in the headlight itself, to the stepper motors. Or perhaps there is corrosion on a pin contact or something like that. I'll check it out next time I have a chance to pull the bumper.

And nope, I could never go back to those poor excuses for OEM halos. My buddy, who is very into BMW's and has done many halo installs/retrofits, still marvels at the X5's new halo retrofit and says they are the best looking ones he's seen. Makes me smile every time I am walking to, or from, the X.

Edit: If you wanted to ditch the jumper wire you have. From the reading I've done, since you have the software suite running, you could code out headlight leveling error checking and the LCM would re-activate your low beam that is out. It is disabling voltage to the low beam/LCM/etc as a result of the fault in the LCM. I'm guessing this is just to notify the owner of a fault, since the leveling is not something everyone would notice a fault with. Stupid design if you ask me... but hey, that's what you put up with when you love the way BMW's drive.