I have a facelifted 2006 E53 that has the bi-xenon headlights with angel eyes. Like many, I was unhappy with the dim yellow angel eyes that didn't match the color of the headlights. I also had an intermittent issue where the passenger side angel eyes didn't come on and I got the 'side marker light' error, then they would start working again. A while back, I bought the WeissLicht LED Halo upgrade bulbs. When I put them in, the driver's side is perfect color and brightness, but the passenger side is much dimmer, to the point where the inner one barely appears to be on. I switched the bulbs and same result. The one on the passenger side was much more difficult to 'screw in' - I had to use channel locks both times to get it to seat. I tried cleaning the little lens on the inner housing that the bulb shines into with a little rubbing alcohol, but that didn't make a difference.
Background story: shortly before I bought this car last year, the previous owner spent a fortune to replace the entire driver's side headlight assembly, control units, etc.. (receipt below). Apparently someone had put in an older halogen unit that didn't match the passenger side, so he had it replaced with the proper OEM parts. So I have brand new lights on the driver's side and 10 year old lights on the passenger side. The outer plastic on the passenger side is a little weathered, but not to the point where I would want to do the headlight restoration kit. I don't think the slight weathering on the outer plastic is causing this drastic difference, so I'm wondering if it is the inner plastic rings that the light broadcasts through, or perhaps something in the wiring harness for the halo bulb.
I took pictures in different lighting, but the camera seems to enhance the light so it doesn't look as bad as it really is.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to address this?
The pic in the window reflection is more representative of the difference in daylight:
05-19-2016, 11:33 PM
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