Xenon Bulb Replacement Question

[Bill Valley]

Thanks, I will have to check into the levelling.

On the electrical...dealer had it for 4 days and could not find the electrical problem. Charging system checks out fine, battery is less than two years old, and of course it would start right up for them every time.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Bill Valley

... The other thing I have noticed, which is not necessarily related to the bulb replacement but may be the source of my random battery drain, is that the bulbs no longer dip and level upon start up. Bad level sensor?I have been experiencing random electrical issues - blinking green led, miles to empty warning with full tanks, etc.

Yes, I would start with the simplest which is to reset by disconnecting the battery for at least 1/2 hr. Then I would check the sensors. Have you had recent suspension work or had to jack up the X?

You might have knocked your projector in the headlight loose. If they don't dip on startup then there's something wrong. Do both HLs NOT dip or only one HL? If its not dipping it could be a bad stepper motor too.

Which is the blinking green light? If you're talking about on the light switch, then that means the adaptive function is disabled.

Both these problems should be easily diagnosed with a GT1 and the corresponding Test plan.

[Bill Valley]

Yes, both sides have lost the function. I will try disconnecting the battery. I have not jacked it up lately, but I believe the dealer did when I took it to them. The green light at the light switch was blinking but it does not do it every time.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Bill Valley

Yes, both sides have lost the function. I will try disconnecting the battery. I have not jacked it up lately, but I believe the dealer did when I took it to them. The green light at the light switch was blinking but it does not do it every time.

If its not a sensor, it might be the LCM. I don't think BOTH your HLs went bad all of a sudden. I know that with a GT1 you can go through the test plan and usually detemine where the problem is. Also, not sure, but I would think LCM errors would be stored or picked up too. Have you had it scanned after replacing the bulbs? Were your electrical issues occurring prior to the bulb changes? Would be great if you know someone that could scan it for you.

[Bill Valley]

I have an Indy that has worked on my wife's 3...I think I will take it to him to scan. I do not believe the dealer scanned for error codes.

I was having a battery drain issue prior to replacing the xenons. It has been ongoing for over a year. There have been random times that the car will not start due to a dead battery. It always happens at home, always in the morning, and the only other common denominator is that I do not lock/alarm the car when it is in the garage. I have replaced the FSR. The wacky electrical symptoms have only started recently. I replaced the xenons after one bulb went purple and then died. The OBC told me check low beam. I replaced the bulbs at that time.

Yesterday, the car would not start. When I jumped it I noticed the following:
-Headlights took a couple of seconds to come on after the start (but they did dip)
-ACC was in Celsius
-Fuel gauge was not working
-RPM gauge was not working
-OBC display was dead

Had to jump start again this morning, but all symptoms above were gone. I will try disconnecting the battery for 1/2 hour tonight. I just know that I have a short somewhere. I was thinking LCM as well, but I want to narrow it down. Thanks for all the advice.