Low Beam Fault

[CapeX5]

Have a problem that is driving me nuts. Regularly getting "check low beam". Using Foxwell, it is the right side. Replaced the bulb initially since it was bad. Was fine for a while, than warning came back. Swapped Xenon ignitor from other side. Same issue. Changed the bulb, same issue. Wiring all looks good. Light comes on fine and operates correctly. If I turn lights on, it clears the warning. Warning doesn't come on right away and if I flick lights and off when I start the car, I don't get a warning at all until next stop than start. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Quick note, I used PA soft to run daytime running lights and no problem because the re program would basically do what I did with the switch. Just want it to work properly and would prefer to not run DRL.

[c-bass]

I had a similar sounding issue on my e46 and e53

warning light first started coming on when it was "cold" and a couple flicks of the switch would get the light to stay on until it got worse.

on the e46 I bought a cheap Amazon ballast and it fixed it

e 53 I replaced the entire headlight assembly with a used one and haven't had issues since

[80stech]

I think "low beam" actually refers to inner DLR lights and not the low/high beam Xenons.

[c-bass]

Originally Posted by 80stech

I think "low beam" actually refers to inner DLR lights and not the low/high beam Xenons.

80s you might be right.

Last week my DRL (Daytime Running Light) went out but I have the low cluster with the picture of the front lights in red, no text.

I know there's a couple different headlight options but I'm not sure if the DRL is strictly used as a DRL or if in other markets it does double duty.

My issue was an easy fix with a new bulb so I didn't have to get too involved in figuring out headlight combos

[CapeX5]

Originally Posted by c-bass

80s you might be right.

Last week my DRL (Daytime Running Light) went out but I have the low cluster with the picture of the front lights in red, no text.

I know there's a couple different headlight options but I'm not sure if the DRL is strictly used as a DRL or if in other markets it does double duty.

My issue was an easy fix with a new bulb so I didn't have to get too involved in figuring out headlight combos

Don't quote me, but here in states, we don't have the designated DRL, just the "low beam" for that. I have a parts car, I will try to change the whole assy like you did. Even though I don't understand why that would solve it, other than a socket issue possibly. Thanks for the suggestion!

[c-bass]

Originally Posted by CapeX5

Don't quote me, but here in states, we don't have the designated DRL, just the "low beam" for that. I have a parts car, I will try to change the whole assy like you did. Even though I don't understand why that would solve it, other than a socket issue possibly. Thanks for the suggestion!

Yeah I wasn't sure about that in the US. I didn't think it was a requirement for you guys.

From what I noticed "the light closest to the kidney grill" seems to only be used for DRL purposes here in Canada. As soon as the headlights are activated the outside bulb comes on.

I don't think there is any way "the light closest to the kidney grill" can be turned on as a low beam without reprogramming.

Also just wanted to throw in the reason I replaced the whole headlight assembly because it was cheaper for me to buy that from the pic and pull yard with bulbs and ballasts included than just buying a ballast from Amazon.

The yard has a 30 day warranty and the wiring was already looking crackly so it was a no brainer in my case.

So if I'm understanding your issue correctly, the light operates fine aside from the pesky warning message that you can clear with some switch flipping, correct?

What kind of bulb is it? Brand new?

I literally replaced the "the light closest to the kidney grill" yesterday (H1 bulb 55W in my case) and when I was looking around at options it seems there's German made and Chinese from the big names. I ended up with a Philips (Made in China) that worked fine but would much rather have a made in Germany.

I used to have all kinds of annoying bulb issues with a 2004 Dodge Ram I used to drive. That thing was VERY picky with bulbs and would trigger warning lights if you didn't use expensive fancy name brand bulbs.