2005 E53 headlight issue

[e53sg]

So I'm preparing to dig into this yet a 3rd time and have seen a few more threads on this issue. I took apart the old headlamps this morning and found water in the Drivers side ACL module. (the drivers side headlamp was missing the small cover). The headlight has been out of the X5 for 2 months inside and not exposed to the elements. Before I pull the bumper cover off for yet a 3rd time I'm going to follow the procedures to reset the ACL.

SI B 63 07 05

Lights

April 2006

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B63 07 05 dated November 2005.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT

Headlight(s) are Inoperative After Parts Replacement or Coding

MODEL

E46 (3 Series) with SA 522 (Xenon lights)

E53 (X5) with SA 522 (Xenon lights)

[NEW] E83 (X3) with SA522 (Xenon lights)

[NEW] E85 (Z4) with SA522 (Xenon lights)

SITUATION

After replacing a headlight(s) assembly, Lamp Module (LCM), Lamp Switch Center (LSZ), Stepper Motor Controller (SMC),

Active Headlight Control (AHL) or coding the LCM/LSZ the headlight is inoperative.

CAUSE

The System has not been initialized.

PROCEDURE

The headlight has to have a calibration sweep in order for the LCM/LSZ to recognize it.

Use the following procedure to calibrate the headlights:

^ Select -

Control Module Function Screen

^ Select - Active Headlight Control (AHL)

^ Select - Activate Components

^ Select - Reference run with sensor

^ Select - Control module reset


After getting it reset if that does not fix it I will swap out the ACL and the control module from known good parts while the bumper cover is off. The bumper cover will not go back on until the light is working and the inspection sticker is on.

Another thing to add is that my whole saga could have been avoided if I had replaced the missing cover when I found it was missing.

I will find the results of my effort.

[crystalworks]

Thanks for updating. Let us know how you get along.

I replaced my ALC already to no avail, but I never did a relearn... let me know if that gets yours working again and I'll see about having a shop do the procedure. I can then remove my workaround, which would be nice.

[e53sg]

My plan is to swing by a few shops tomorrow and see if I can get them to reset the system before I tear into it again and pull the bumper cover off. Between all of my parts I have 3 known good ACL's, 3 known good Control modules and 3 known good ballasts. I'm really hoping I can get my headlight issue resolved as my inspection sticker has expired and so driving it is risky. and I would like to be able to drive it at night.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by e53sg

My plan is to swing by a few shops tomorrow and see if I can get them to reset the system before I tear into it again and pull the bumper cover off. Between all of my parts I have 3 known good ACL's, 3 known good Control modules and 3 known good ballasts. I'm really hoping I can get my headlight issue resolved as my inspection sticker has expired and so driving it is risky. and I would like to be able to drive it at night.

If all else fails... the bypass has been working on mine perfectly since I posted it. Another member used an even easier variation where he just piggy backs a wire from one side to the other to trigger the non-functional headlight. I would have done the same but did not like having extra wiring in the engine bay and prefer using a relay to trigger 12v to the other headlight.

It's not the absolute best solution, but it will get you your inspection and let you drive at night without worry.

[e53sg]

so the reset did not fix it. After fiddling around I did find something interesting. after turning off the ignition, as well as the headlight, I bumped the stalk like I was doing a low to high beam change and both low beams came on and stayed on. As soon as I start the X5 the low beams shut off, and the DRL turn on.

[e53sg]

ok so this is getting weirder and weirder. Pulled the bumper cover and removed the light assembly. Turns out the ones that I bought on ebay are not adaptive when the original lights were adaptive. In the course of pugging and unplugging the light started working. I decided to test before reinstalling the front bumper cover.... ah... no worky again.... switch out the module from underneath... no change. wiring inside the headlamp looks a bit dodgy.... but then someone posts in another thread... about the headlight leveling sensor on the front strut... something else to check.... still no working light... but at least I didn't put the bumper cover back on.

[talljames]

Hi e53sg, did you end up solving this? You mentioned ‘ wiring inside the headlamp looks a bit dodgy’. It is a known issue when these headlamps get older that the wiring insulation in the assembly deteriorates and causes a short to earth. The electronics I think then disables the low beam in this case.