Help with 2002 X5 low beam light issue....

[CrazyOneToo]

I recently bought my 2002 X5 and have a left side low beam headlight not coming on.
I have Xenons and have switched the bulbs around to check if the bulb is out.
Same side is still off now so bulb is good. I have saw post about control modules and igniters but this is my first experience with Xenons.
I was going to swap the modules around that are hooked to the bulbs and are directly under the headlights
to see if that was my problem but I saw the warning label about high voltage and decided
to not go any further without getting some help.
If there is a write up already for this I'd appreciate the link.
Thanks for any help given.

Alan

[Ricky Bobby]

Well if you already swapped bulbs around and the same side fails to light up, then its not an issue with the bulbs, its your ballast. No need to worry about high voltage, just don't turn the ballasts on (aka don't turn on your headlights) without the socket being connected to your xenon bulb (or you'll see sparks fly out of the socket lol!)

You've basically already narrowed it down to the ballasts, looks like you might need a spare Hella Gen III (pre-facelift) ballast.

[CrazyOneToo]

Yeah probably so but I am also seeing post about fuses and igniters. Is that the correct ballast I'd need? I looked at RealOEM and if I am looking at the correct diagram what it shows for my X5 is CONTROL UNIT XENON LIGHT #63128386708. Is an igniter part of the ballast or a separate part? This is my first time dealing with Xenon lights. I actually had to do a little research to make sure its what type of lights I have. Thanks for your patience and your help Ricky.

[TerminatorX5]

there are no fuses for the lights in BMWs since about late 80-s... chances are, you got burnt ballast. original bmw ballast from bmw of fairfax is just under $400 delivered... ouch!!! check for adequate alternatives - the xenon market has exploded with offers in recent years...

[CrazyOneToo]

OK thanks. Found some on eBay for less than $100.
Will go that route if I switch them around and the problem moves.

[CrazyOneToo]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Well if you already swapped bulbs around and the same side fails to light up, then its not an issue with the bulbs, its your ballast. No need to worry about high voltage, just don't turn the ballasts on (aka don't turn on your headlights) without the socket being connected to your xenon bulb (or you'll see sparks fly out of the socket lol!)

You've basically already narrowed it down to the ballasts, looks like you might need a spare Hella Gen III (pre-facelift) ballast.

Switched the ballasts to opposite sides today and the problem followed.
Its the ballast out. Hope I can find a good used one. Thanks
Alan

[bcredliner]

That's how you don't make a mistake and buy parts you don't need. Ballasts don't fail very often so a used one should be fine and a much better price.