Both headlight warning lamps are on, headlights OK

skialex · #1 03-04-2013, 12:18 PM

I got a strange problem on my 2004 3.0 X5: both headlight warning red indicator lamps came on, and stay on. As far as I can tell, the headlights are working fine, both low and high beam. If I turn the car on and off, the warning lights come on again after a few seconds, so the problem is persistent. We have regular headlights (i.e. not Xenon). Any ideas on what to look for? Thanks a lot in advance!

TerminatorX5 · #2 03-04-2013, 01:20 PM

rusted connections? on both sides??? or, poor contact at LCM module?

skialex · #3 03-04-2013, 01:34 PM

Thanks! So, how do I check for that? The headlights work, so at least the main connections are OK.

TerminatorX5 · #4 03-04-2013, 01:39 PM

it could be that the light bulbs are aging, and the LCM has sensed the change in the resistance value of the bulbs, which means, that the LCM may have increased the voltage feed to the lights to compensate for the change in the resistance (by changing the frequency of PMW), and the increased voltage to the lights will eventually kill the otherwise failing light bulb a day or two sooner... this is just a speculation... those light bulbs are regular bulbs you can get in wal-mart or whatnot - you can try a new bulb... one of the things from past experience - german (or EU) made bulbs perform better than chinese made bulb, even by the same manufacturer logo... might be worth to try to change one bulb and see if that warning will go away - the cost is relative low, even if it does not help...

skialex · #5 03-06-2013, 01:27 AM

OK, tried new bulbs (made in Germany), didn't help. Noticed that one of the "angel eyes" bulbs was out, sure enough, the bulb resistance is in the MOhm range; so what is the best place to get that online? I am still puzzled why both warning lights are on, since the bulb is burned out only on one side.

Merle · #6 06-15-2014, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skialex

I got a strange problem on my 2004 3.0 X5: both headlight warning red indicator lamps came on, and stay on. As far as I can tell, the headlights are working fine, both low and high beam. If I turn the car on and off, the warning lights come on again after a few seconds, so the problem is persistent. We have regular headlights (i.e. not Xenon). Any ideas on what to look for? Thanks a lot in advance!

I have the same problem on my 2005 x5. (Just purchased). Only mine does have Xenon. I haven't been able to determine whether there is a solution. Newbie.

Thanks

Qsilver7 · #7 06-15-2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merle

I have the same problem on my 2005 x5. (Just purchased). Only mine does have Xenon. I haven't been able to determine whether there is a solution. Newbie.

Thanks

Help us help you better...you have a 2005 X5 "what"? The 3.0, the 4.4, or the 4.8is?

Also, which instrument cluster do you have so that we know the exact warning you're getting...the low cluster or the high cluster? The low cluster uses a simple GRAPHIC DISPLAY (an icon of a vehicle) which shows the location of the warning. The high cluster uses a 20 digit alpha/numeric display to tell you what the warning is.

The OP (original poster) first stated that the warning came on but their headlights worked...but then posted back that one of the AE (angel eyes) wasn't working. So their initial assessment was incorrect.

Since you didn't post a pic or stated that, in fact, all of the bulbs associated with your headlamps are working...we can only guess or toss out suggestions until we get better details of what you have and what you've already ruled out. Or like the OP...realize that your initial assessment missed/overlooked a burnt out bulb.

For instance, if you have the low cluster & graphic display...the warning could indicate all of the bulbs listed in #1 in the description from the owners manual. Have you ruled out everyone of those lamps (low beam, high beam, & multiple parking lamp bulbs?):

If you have the high cluster and the 20 digit alpha/numeric display...which one of the PRIORITY 2 warnings are you getting?

Merle · #8 06-15-2014, 08:14 PM

Ok. It's a 3.0i X5. It has the low cluster with the graphic display. I've checked all the lights and it appears that all the lamps are working except the angel eyes on both sides (hence 2 warning lights

). So maybe you can advise me whether it may be a connection problem, or if I need to replace the angel eyes, or ??

Thanks in advance. Sorry for the newbie omissions...

Qsilver7 · #9 06-15-2014, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the update.

If nine year old AEs aren't illuminating...they are probably burnt out. They are considered parking lamps since they come on when the headlamp knob is turned to the 1st position (if not using the auto headlights)...thus everytime the headlights are on...so are the AEs.

There is one bulb for each pair (left/right)...the one bulb illuminates both AEs in each headlamp.

Since AEs are very popular...there's lots of info on how to change the bulbs or update the bulbs. I'm sure there are videos on youtube and DIYs if you just google some key words/phrases.

BTW...you can create a permanent signature that includes your model/model year/build date by clicking on the USER CP link at the top right of the page. You should see more links along the left side of the page that opens that will allow you to "edit your signature". Click that link and you can create a signature...even add an image if you like.