Headlight issue - LCM or something else?

[uconnron]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2006 4.4i Sport and the other day I got a "check headlight" message. The next time the message came up, I was able to pull over and see that the driver side low beam was out. I thought it was a simple bulb replacement until I started searching the forum... It wasn't just an H7 bulb, but a Xenon D2S bulb and I wasn't sure I could do it without pulling off the bumper because of the headlight washer.

Before blindly taking things apart, I diagnosed it a bit more and switching the low beams on manually worked fine, but when I toggled from off to automatic and back to manual low beam on a few times, the low beam didn't come back on but it did come on when I turned the toggle to the off position then to the low beam position.

So, for the experts out there:

1. Is this an LCM issue? If so, what's the best course of action (it's barely out of manufacturer's warranty, which bugs me)?

2. If it's not an LCM issue, what else could be causing this?

3. For my edification, if I need to change bulbs at any point, can I do it without taking off the bumper?

I haven't taken it to a dealer to take a look at fault codes, but I'd like to get the insight of everyone here before I resort to taking it in. It's not a safety issue since I can still turn on the lights manually, but I usually keep it in automatic mode and if there is a potential safety issue, I'd rather know about it now.

Thanks!
-Ron

[killcrap]

the simplest way to check the system is to swap the xenon bulbs. and re-check. you will need to remove the bumper to do this. The LCM does not turn the bulbs on, it supplies power to the Xenon Control Unit to turn the bulbs on. A bad bulb usually causes the symptoms you have described.

[cooluserid]

UCONNRON: can you post what you end up fixing/learning?

[uconnron]

I'll definitely update the thread once I've had the time to switch the bulbs (sounds like a 3 hour job for my noob self with taking off the bumper). Luckily, night driving is fine with turning on the headlights manually, but it's on my list!

[06E53]

I had this problem before also. In fact i got the message just yesterday but it didn't stay on and everything looks fine. I wish i could tell you exactly what the problem was, but my car was under warranty at the time and the dealership fixed at no cost at all. I might call them though and see if they can give me a detailed explanation.
Now, what i just realized though after reading your post, is that the headlight problem explains why my bumper has not been the same ever since. I've noticed that both upper corners closest to the lights are sticking out a bit and on the left side a tab or two are missing! Obviously proper care was not taken when my bumper was removed and reset or they didn't care to fix it after the fact.
So, just be careful not to damage any tabs holding the bumper on.

[cooluserid]

I had same experience under warranty: “Check Low beam” message came on; Dealer fixed it and reported “changed bulb and ballast”; Bumper came out slightly two weeks later and dealer did not want to admit that it was related to the bulb change.

One year later I took the bumper off and discovered that tabs are missing/Brocken on the $20 part. Installed replacement part and bumper sits perfectly now.

Occasionally my left low beam would not turn on now. It was “muddy” for about a month and now it does not turn on at all. I checked that left assembly did work on the right side.
Unplugged LCM and plugged it back and both lights worked. Start driving and left light stop working again. Unplugged LCM again end everything worked for a short while.
It looks like LCM detects some fault and shuts the power to the light. I will try to install new bulb on the left side and swap left and right ballast and igniter.
I will be able to detect that problem was with the bulb if light works; problem with LCM if left light will not work stably or problem with ballast /igniter if right side will have an issue.
Anyone knows warranty for LCM. Warranty booklet states 7 years and 70000 miles for various control modules. Does it include LCM?

[elyk]

I've had this issue for awhile now. Mostly on moist or rainy days I get the occasional "check low beam" message, reported to dealer and all they did was change one headlight assembly. Didn't solve a thing, and now that I'm out of warranty I have no idea what I can do. May I note I have a weird problem that my passenger headlight points far to the right as well (adaptive headlights malfunction?).

Just today, my driver side xenon bulb is burning out, anyone have the DIY for changing the bulb?

[killcrap]

Originally Posted by elyk

I've had this issue for awhile now. Mostly on moist or rainy days I get the occasional "check low beam" message, reported to dealer and all they did was change one headlight assembly. Didn't solve a thing, and now that I'm out of warranty I have no idea what I can do. May I note I have a weird problem that my passenger headlight points far to the right as well (adaptive headlights malfunction?).

Just today, my driver side xenon bulb is burning out, anyone have the DIY for changing the bulb?

if you have a long history of repeat repairs, bring it back to the dealer. it was a problem when it was under warranty, and now its still a problem. bring it back to them to fix it at BMW's dime.