Uneven Angel Eyes

[TiminIndy]

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:

[wpoll]

My guess is there is a break/fracture in the light path leading from the AE lamp to the inner ring - it's a plastic light path and any fracture will attenuate the light transmission enormously. Not sure if there is any other fix that replacing the headlight unit.

[mtthmpsn]

Originally Posted by TiminIndy

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).

Sorry, I can't help on the lights, but I am absolutely blown away by how much the BMW headlight parts cost and even more so by how much total your PO spent on the headlight and coolant system repairs. That shop must've been drooling when he walked in. It's nearly the cost of my entire X5. I hope you get the other headlight issue resolved at a minor fraction of the cost of the driver's side.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[Joshdub]

There is a brand new one on ebay for 1000 less than what the PO paid

04 05 06 BMW x5 E53 Xenon Headlight Brand New Right HID Headlamp w O Adaptive | eBay

[TiminIndy]

Still more than I would ever pay for a damn headlight. I would trade it in before I paid $1,000 for a headlight.

[TiminIndy]

Oh - it's $599 - closer to what I would pay. Thanks!

[TiminIndy]

Originally Posted by mtthmpsn

Sorry, I can't help on the lights, but I am absolutely blown away by how much the BMW headlight parts cost and even more so by how much total your PO spent on the headlight and coolant system repairs. That shop must've been drooling when he walked in. It's nearly the cost of my entire X5. I hope you get the other headlight issue resolved at a minor fraction of the cost of the driver's side.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

I know! He had meticulous records of everything that was done on it. He bought it CPO in 2010, so it was under the full warranty until 11/14 and everything was done at a dealer in Seattle. Then I saw that invoice and my jaw dropped. That was from a place here in Indy called Import Specialists Inc DBA Sleds and Treads. The kicker is that when they reinstalled the fan shroud, they didn't connect it at the bottom properly so it got pulled into the alternator and cut a hole in it! Needless to say I won't be going there. I used AutoHaus Merkle for a valve cover gasket and CPVC system last winter and they were pretty fair.

After he laid down $4200 for that, he sold it to me for $12K two months later!

I found a place online that was parting out several wrecked X5's. Going to check around for a used HLA if I can verify it is fully functional. As info, I used the BMW PNPC tool and found that Husker BMW has OEM part # 63117166817 for $1160.

[upallnight]

Could be High resistance in the ground wire to that headlight. I would locate the ground wire for the headlight and run a separate ground wire from the battery connector for the negative cable to that headlight. If you don't understand what I am trying to tell you, take it in to a pro.

Try this Indy

http://www.reggiesmotorworks.com/

[TiminIndy]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Could be High resistance in the ground wire to that headlight. I would locate the ground wire for the headlight and run a separate ground wire from the battery connector for the negative cable to that headlight. If you don't understand what I am trying to tell you, take it in to a pro.

Try this Indy

Noblesville German Auto Repair | Reggies Motorworks

I understand, in theory. Are you talking about the ground for the entire headlight assembly, or the ground within the little harness for the AE? The headlights themselves work fine and are perfectly even.

Are you aware of someone how had these symptoms and this solved it, or is this an educated guess?

I've had several German only Indy indies recommended, but haven't heard of Reggie's - I'll check them out - thanks!

[mtthmpsn]

Originally Posted by TiminIndy

After he laid down $4200 for that, he sold it to me for $12K two months later!

Good time to buy - right after the PO made some costly repairs but is too worried about the next one to hold on to it.

Just a follow-up on the ground wire comment - couldn't you pull the two angel eye bulbs/LEDs from the headlights and see if the one is dimmer than the other? Unless I'm missing something, I think that'd at least narrow down whether its electrical or within the headlight itself.