Adaptive headlights fail - what can go wrong?

[BigLion]

It's my silly fault for leaving the lights on yesterday outside Ace hardware (luckily), but after I got a jump start, the auto headlamp indicator was flashing, and is still flashing today - what can go wrong with the adaptive headlight system, which is what the user manual says has gone wrong...?

[TerminatorX5]

that is strange - the lights are not supposed to remain on when the engine is off.. just the parking lights stay on, the main beams are off... so, if anything, it is the jumping, that probably got your AHL module flashing... it is only assumed that you have facelifted E53 fitted with adaptive lights - what are the details on your ride?

Also, do your lights go up/down on initial start up of the engine? do they go left/right when you turn the steering wheel?

[BigLion]

Yes - I only noticed this after a year or so when I was parked in front of a store window and started the car - the headlamps swivelled around like the Terminators' eyes

Mine is a 'FA91' according to realoem.com, 08/2005 E53 X5 4.8is SUV N62 Europe Left hand drive N

BTW, I checked both fuse panels and there doesn't seem to be a single fuse only for the adaptive lights system; all the headlamp bulbs are lit so it is something other than a fuse (I guess, without testing them all) that the car knows has failed, but does not affect the bulbs..?

Just wondered if someone has experienced the same problem after getting a jump start, or what component tends to fail with this system

[TerminatorX5]

so, you got a facelifted 4.8iS.. nice...

do the eyes of the Terminator still go left/right, up/down?

[BigLion]

Thanks man - she is a beaut - I will take her out now to check it out

[BigLion]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

do your lights go up/down on initial start up of the engine? do they go left/right when you turn the steering wheel?

I just lit them up in front of the same supermarket window - no movement on starting, or moving the steering wheel

[TerminatorX5]

check fuses 5 and 15 - wonder if they are fried...

[xRide]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

that is strange - the lights are not supposed to remain on when the engine is off.. just the parking lights stay on, the main beams are off... so, if anything, it is the jumping, that probably got your AHL module flashing... it is only assumed that you have facelifted E53 fitted with adaptive lights - what are the details on your ride?

Also, do your lights go up/down on initial start up of the engine? do they go left/right when you turn the steering wheel?

I left my headlight ON, not AUTO and it drained the battery overnight. I didnt realize that I had it on the ON position because I parked the truck when it was light out.

[BigLion]

For me it was twilight when we arrived at the shops but I somehow (getting the kids and stroller out of the car) even left the key in the ignition so I guess the Auto headlamps came on while we were shopping. The battery was severly drained, too much to turn over by a Toyota Camry, I got a jump start from a local (Emirati) with a Land Cruiser VXR!

Anyway, just checked the fuses - No.s 5, 6, and 15 are good - in the fuse box it said these are for the 'ALC' but I never saw that acronym before. Pulling 15 made the alarm(?) make a weird continuous warning beep... later tonight I will check the lot of the fuses; it's a pain getting your head and at least one arm into the glovebox tho

[BigLion]

Seems to be somewhere in the passenger side headlamp/ system - while checking the connections [since a poster in a different forum said that removing & replacing his headlamp assembly made the same problem] I noticed the ALC motors aligning the lamps on the drivers' side, but NOT firing on the passenger side, when the headlamps are unplugged then re-connected.

All the fuses appear to be good.. I don't have access to a DME reader to check for codes; someone mentioned elsewhere that the steering sensor could be at fault, and mine did throw a code a week ago, but the problem didn't manifest until the car was jump-started. Will persevere with straight headlights(!) until I can get back to the workshop.