Headlight questions

[Riggodeaux]

My buildsheet shows I have xenon adaptive headlights [codes S522, S534]. Before I bought it, a service invoice shows passenger side headlights replaced [D2S, two bulbs? doesn't sound right]. I have noticed that the rings around the bulbs light only on the passenger side, and I noticed today in a reflection from the windows at starbucks that when I hit the highbeams, the outer bulbs [low beams?] change to high and the inside bulbs [highs?] don't light at all. As I read up on this, I'm assuming I have D2S xenon lowbeams, and H1 highs [the inside lights, right?] and H11 fogs [which work but are likely old and due replacing]. What's the diagnosis? The only message shown is 'check side lights,' that old standard. I'll check fuses, but do I just need bulbs, a ballast, or what? If I have to pull the bumper cover, I figure I'll do all the bulbs. Any suggestions appreciated!

[mikeson]

When you pushed to High beam, it flip off Xenon cut off panel - that we call it Bi-xenon.
But when you pull high beam, inner Halogen will light up.
Mine is same light as your and push- Xenon high beam, pull - inner Halogen light up.

[Joshdub]

You have bi-xenons. The xenon projector functions as both the low beam and the high beam. The inner "high beam" is the flash to pass, meaning it illuminates to flash other vehicles when the xenon bulb isn't lit as flashing xenon bulbs doesn't really work.

The bulb for your rings on the driver side could be triggering that warning.

[stiubhartach]

The angel eye rings use one bulb for each side. Two bulbs total. The light is carried from the bulb to each ring by a fiber optic channel. If only one ring on a side is lighting, it could mean that the fiber channel covering has degraded.

You don't need to pull the bumper to change the angel eye bulb. It's right next to the halogen bulb.

The halogens are also the daytime running lights when they are active.

[Riggodeaux]

Thanks guys, learn something every day. I'll test the brights/halogen 'high' beams. Certainly fits with the autobahn tradition of flashing brights to pass ..... is the angel eye 'ring' a separate bulb or filament around the reflector? I haven't really looked at the lighting set up to evaluate, just notice the 'angel eye' fault.

[Riggodeaux]

I see this youtube and part no. for the angel eye bulb - 63 12 6 916 097. I believe I have a dead bulb one side, as the 'rings' don't light on either the xenon D2S [outside] or H1 'bright' [inside]. I'll see if this fix also fixes the 'check side light' warning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoMf6nFbzlw

[Ricky Bobby]

Yep check side light is the angel eye bulb being dead - I would replace the pair personally - I always replace bulbs in pairs.

The angel eye bulb is not that expensive from BMW @ $22 apiece, you could get a pair of LED bulbs for the angel eyes as well if you want a little more white color

[Riggodeaux]

Thanks, RB. I have a few cosmetics to do and will add this to the list.

[Qsilver7]

When you replace your AE bulbs (whether you go original halogen or aftermarket LED)...pay attention to the position of the bulb holder when you remove it. There are 3 nibs around the bulb holder and ONE of them is a different shape...which means there is only ONE way to reinsert them. PAY ATTENTION to prevent frustration trying to reinstall them correctly.

The pics below show the slightly different design of the original AE (halogen) bulb holder vs a plug-n-play AE LED bulb holder. Both fit without any modifications...both have the 3 nibs (with one being different) but the shape of the bulb holder is slightly different:

[stiubhartach]

I also suggest not buying the led lights with the long string of cables, resistors and drivers. They cause problems with the delicate wiring inside the lights. There is enough problems with the biodegradable insulation without various modules banging around inside. Pay a little more and get an all in one unit. Also, don't bother with high wattage as it doesn't seem to make the rings any brighter just hotter.