Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-23-2016, 01:30 PM
X5kindathing's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 24
X5kindathing is on a distinguished road
Xenon Head Light Malfunction

Hello,

I have had an issue where one of my headlight (xenon) doesn't come on at times and this seems to trigger the fog lights to turn on....

It used to only happen a few times here and there but it's now off more than it's off. I am thinking it's not the actual bulb but some sort of connector or something???

I have read on a thread that perhaps it's a ballast issue but I'd like to get some more opinions before buying the ballast.

Thanks
__________________
____________

2006 X5 4.8is Titanium Silver / Black (36K miles)
Dinan Cold Air Intake, Software, Exhaust
--
1996 M3 Sedan Artic Silver / Dove Grey (65K miles)
Dinan Stage III Super Charger, Software, Throttle Body
Short springs on Koni Gas Adjustable
Borla Exhaust

Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 06-23-2016, 02:09 PM
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Sweden
Posts: 188
jontezan is on a distinguished road
I have only owned 2 cars with factory xenon. On one of them, i had intermitent problems with one of the xenon bulbs. Solved problem by changing both bulbs. What color does your lights have? Xenons usually turn more purple when they are about to go. As for the fog lights, can they be programmed to go on if one of the headlight bulbs goes out?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-23-2016, 02:16 PM
X5kindathing's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 24
X5kindathing is on a distinguished road
My lights are white and I don't think it's the bulb when it comes on it's fine and stays like that for days, then all of a sudden it decides to not come on and when that happens the fog lights come on. I am sure that the fog lights are programmed to come on if a head light fails as a safety (German engineering is top notch).
__________________
____________

2006 X5 4.8is Titanium Silver / Black (36K miles)
Dinan Cold Air Intake, Software, Exhaust
--
1996 M3 Sedan Artic Silver / Dove Grey (65K miles)
Dinan Stage III Super Charger, Software, Throttle Body
Short springs on Koni Gas Adjustable
Borla Exhaust

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-23-2016, 03:01 PM
upallnight's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Cook County
Posts: 7,280
upallnight is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by X5kindathing View Post
Hello,

I have had an issue where one of my headlight (xenon) doesn't come on at times and this seems to trigger the fog lights to turn on....

It used to only happen a few times here and there but it's now off more than it's off. I am thinking it's not the actual bulb but some sort of connector or something???

I have read on a thread that perhaps it's a ballast issue but I'd like to get some more opinions before buying the ballast.

Thanks
Swap the ballast from one side to the other and see if the problem moves to the other side. If it does, you need a new ballast.
__________________
2006 Infiniti G35
2001 BMW 3.0I E53 X5 Build date 08/2000 SOLD
Lotus Europa 1970 Destroyed by fire
Lotus Europa 1970 S2 Renault Powered
Lotus Type 52 1970 Twincam Webers Powered
PORSCHE 911 Targa 1982 The Garage Queen
Audi Avant donated to Kars for Kids
BMW 525IT Sold
Audi 4000CS Quattro Sold
Jensen Healey Lotus Powered Sold
Opel 1900 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1971 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1968 Sold
Plymouth "Cuda" 340 Six pack SOLD
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-23-2016, 03:39 PM
X5kindathing's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 24
X5kindathing is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by upallnight View Post
Swap the ballast from one side to the other and see if the problem moves to the other side. If it does, you need a new ballast.
Duh :-) ! going to do that for sure. In terms of why the fog light come on when the headlight fails, do you know if this is an intended behavior?
__________________
____________

2006 X5 4.8is Titanium Silver / Black (36K miles)
Dinan Cold Air Intake, Software, Exhaust
--
1996 M3 Sedan Artic Silver / Dove Grey (65K miles)
Dinan Stage III Super Charger, Software, Throttle Body
Short springs on Koni Gas Adjustable
Borla Exhaust

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-23-2016, 04:03 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 22
mhoehn is on a distinguished road
my e38 had a blinking main headlight for months. used ballast off E-bay did the trick. months now with no issues. $40.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-23-2016, 05:45 PM
wpoll's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 4,659
wpoll will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by X5kindathing View Post
Duh :-) ! going to do that for sure. In terms of why the fog light come on when the headlight fails, do you know if this is an intended behaviour?
Yes, this is intended behaviour. Same thing happens if a halo (AE) light goes out - the same-side indicator comes on (half brightness).

Safety feature.
__________________
Wayne
2005 BMW X5 3.0d (b 02/05)
2001 BMW F650GS Dakar (b 06/01)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
ballast, headlights, xenon

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:11 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.