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  #1  
Old 02-17-2018, 10:21 PM
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xenon light issues

2004 X5 4.4i

Are there common issues that are known with the xenon lights on the X5?

I was getting control light errors on the dash and have since replace the bulbs and the ballast for both lights. The right light would come on every now an then but the left does't come on. No longer getting the error on the dash but still not coming on. Good thing it make the fog lights come on by default when they are not working.

I have not gotten a chance to scan for codes. Are there any common issues that others have come across? The wires all look fine.

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 02-17-2018, 10:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocksteadyX5 View Post
2004 X5 4.4i

Are there common issues that are known with the xenon lights on the X5?

I was getting control light errors on the dash and have since replace the bulbs and the ballast for both lights. The right light would come on every now an then but the left does't come on. No longer getting the error on the dash but still not coming on. Good thing it make the fog lights come on by default when they are not working.

I have not gotten a chance to scan for codes. Are there any common issues that others have come across? The wires all look fine.

Thanks
Did you replace with OEM parts new or used?
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Old 02-17-2018, 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by amancuso View Post
Did you replace with OEM parts new or used?
If you changed ballast and bulbs, swap the ignitors and see if it follows the ignitor
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Old 02-17-2018, 11:32 PM
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Maybe problem with the wiring within the headlight unit ??
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Old 02-18-2018, 08:37 AM
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Swapping parts to see if the problem moves is an excellent suggestion. Take your VOM and see where you do (and do not) have power. Did you also check fuses / relays?
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Old 02-18-2018, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amancuso View Post
Did you replace with OEM parts new or used?
Yes the part is OEM.
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Old 02-18-2018, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Overboost View Post
If you changed ballast and bulbs, swap the ignitors and see if it follows the ignitor
I would have to find where the igniyor is....however would that explain why the working one goes out ever now and then?
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Old 02-18-2018, 11:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregory891 View Post
Swapping parts to see if the problem moves is an excellent suggestion. Take your VOM and see where you do (and do not) have power. Did you also check fuses / relays?
Yeah that was the first thing I check. Was really hoping it was the fuse because getting to those bulbs are a pain.

When the wife comes back in I will fire up the BMW software and see if any codes popup. Hope its not the control module going/gone.
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Old 02-18-2018, 05:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocksteadyX5 View Post
I would have to find where the igniyor is....however would that explain why the working one goes out ever now and then?
Assuming that you have the adaptive bi-xenon HID headlight set-up (not the halogen or regular xenons)...the bulb is screwed directly into the ignitor. It's the big silver thingy that has to be twisted off to access the HID bulb.

In the pic below of the left side...you remove the 4 screws that hold the plastic cover:


Which then exposes the ignitor (#2 in pic below):


Also, still assuming you have the adaptive bi-xenons...if the bulbs & ignitor turn out NOT to be the issue...you any want to do a search for the ALC control unit. When it goes on the fritz it can cause illumination issues.
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Old 02-22-2018, 08:36 PM
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OK so the ignitor is what I was calling the ballast..sorry about that. I had gotten 2 new ones and swap them out and the issue was the same. The bulbs are new. I got the scan done and nothing showed up that would indicate lighting issues. Didn't think I would see anything since I am not getting any error alert on the dashboard. Next will to find this ALC unit and see what happen.
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Last edited by rocksteadyX5; 02-22-2018 at 08:42 PM.
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