SOLVED!! - Xenon issues (and blues) - HELP needed.

[MiCkEy]

UPDATE: I am on Day 6 and no issues. I bought original Philips 4300K bulbs. The previous ones from ebay were cheap and though the listing said Philips, that was not the case. Swapped the bulbs with these new ones and all is well. Not even one hiccup. People that were having intermittent issues like I did, change bulbs to OEM/originals and not some cheapo kinds. The OEM ballasts used are very picky about the bulbs.

Rest of the story down below.

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What I thought was a xenon bulb in my 2001 X5 that was at the end of its life, seems like the issue lies else where. Occasionally when I would turn the headlights on, the passenger side light would not run on. I would then turn it off and back on and it would stay on. The bulb wold not flicker but stays on.

I bought new bulbs and changed both the LHS and RHS, rechecked wiring twice and now the driver side is having the same issue. Today both of them would not come on but trying it twice it is as if nothing had happened. Any idea what is going on?

Over the years I have seen strange issues if the battery is going bad or gets too old. Can this be related or can this be a igniter/ballast issue or issue with the LCM? I searched for similar issues but did not read a final outcome.

PS: Also is there a way to take the HL assembly out of the car without dropping the bumper? It is a bitch to change the xenons with the headlights unscrewed but they will not come out. This is on a 2001 X5. Whats the trick here?

HELP!!!!

[mtX5]

LOL!! I was having the EXACT same issue, but only when I switched to aftermarket ballasts and bulbs. I have been trying to figure this out forever. I am now working on returning back to stock because I never had the issue with my stock ballasts. It may be your ballasts?

Nobody seems to know the solution to this as I have been asking in many threads. I have even gotten accused of making this problem up haha!

But goodluck man, if you figure it out, let me know and if I figure it out I'll do the same.. I'm hoping to have OEM ballasts in by the beginning of next week.

[MiCkEy]

mtX5 these are OEM ballasts and headlights. The only thing I have in there are newer bulbs. I pray this issue does not occur to any other members. This is a hard one to crack...trust me.

The weird thing is, when the lights work, they work fine but on days they just refuse to start first time.

Btw, how do you take the headlights out without dropping the bumper?

[mtX5]

did you replace them with OEM bulbs?

To take out the headlights without removing the bumper:

1. remove the plastic trim under the headlight by starting at the side closest to the hood and slowly pulling it out as you move to the opposite side

2. there are 4 bolts holding the headlight in place, remove those, but be very careful not to drop the lower ones as they are hard to locate if you do. (also before removing the headlight, mark the location of the upper tabs with tape or something so you know where they go when you put them back in as to not mess with the beam pattern)

3. after the bolts are removed, slowly pull on the headlight and it can be pulled out. i would put a towel on the bumper under the headlight as to not scratch the bumper.

also, depending on whether you have a 3.0 or 4.4/4.6 you will have to remove the air filter (at least i had to since i have the afe intake).

[MiCkEy]

I cant seem to take it out after taking those 4 screws out. The lower tabs rub against the bumper. Seems no other way.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by MiCkEy

I cant seem to take it out after taking those 4 screws out. The lower tabs rub against the bumper. Seems no other way.

Read into this...http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...placement.html

BTW if you need new bulbs or igniters let me know.....

[MiCkEy]

MrBMWX5, thank you. I may have to test using new bulbs (D2S). I am guessing the ones I got from ebay are not really Philips (no manufacture markings on the bulbs) and that may be the issue. If you can IM me the price for a pair shipped to 22180 I would appreciate it.

[mtX5]

Mrbmwx5, if Mickey takes the bulbs I would be interested in the ballasts if they are oem.