Xenon bulb loose in holder

Shel · #1 11-19-2016, 09:44 PM

Hi guys. Since buying the x5 (facelift with xenon bulbs) the drivers side has had an extremely poor spread of light.

I've checked the level sensors on the arms of the car and parked infront of a reflective window and can confirm the auto level system is working when I turn on the ignition.

Upon opening the back plastic cover the xenon bulb fell out!
Tried to get it back in, it sits in place but there is absolutely nothing there to hold it in place. I've tried a slight twist but it only seems to go in one way.

I haven't investigated the other side yet.

I have trawled the net in search of retaining clips/springs with no luck. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is it possible to utilise the bulb holder from the halogen bulb temporarily?

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wpoll · #2 11-20-2016, 01:37 AM

The Xenon bulb (#3) inserts into a square alloy box shaped holder (an ignitor - #2) and then the ignitor is clipped into the housing (on the back of the lens assembly) - it's held in place with a wire locking clip.

Like this...

Which part is not holding in place?

PS. nothing from a halogen lamp applies here.. so no, you cannot use a halogen lamp holder, even temporarily.

And make sure the lights are OFF when monkeying with Xenon lamps - there are voltages in here that can BITE!

wpoll · #3 11-20-2016, 01:44 AM

Found a picture of how it should be assembled...

From this thread....

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...lickering.html

Shel · #4 11-20-2016, 02:43 AM

Thanks guys. Poked around some more. Found the issue. These bulbs are aftermarket and the igniter is very fat. I found the metal clip but it's not reaching the part where it attaches onto.

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wpoll · #5 11-20-2016, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shel

Thanks guys. Poked around some more. Found the issue. These bulbs are aftermarket and the igniter is very fat. I found the metal clip but it's not reaching the part where it attaches onto.

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So are the headlights actually halogen, with aftermarket Xenon mod kits added? That would explain some of why it wasn't retained properly.

Shel · #6 11-20-2016, 01:29 PM

Not too sure as the retainer clip is exactly the same as the one in the picture wpoll supplied. So all looks open inside the headlight except the bulb. I think the person who replaced them got the wrong size one?

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