High Beam Issue

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

None of those codes are related to your high beams. If you look at WDS, you will see there is a specific pin on the FRM that energizes the solenoids for the shield on the projector. when the shield moves, the high beams are activated.


Is it one or both lights that fail to activate?

Thanks for the response.

Both lights fail to activate.

What's WDS?

What would you recommend as the next step in terms of diagnosis/repair?

The last time I had access to a decent scan tool (newest Autel), the high beams were choosing to work that day. So they worked fine with the stalk, and the could be activated (up down/ left right,) from the scan tool. But again, this is a periodic problem.

[740iS]

Though you are not finding anything with your scan tools, if it is not working after the lights have been on for a while and it is both headlights that are not working, I'd guess it is the FRM that is starting to fail. If it were one headlamp, then I'd look at a short. But both sounds system to me.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by 740iS

Though you are finding anything with your scan tools, if it is not working after the lights have been on for a while and it is both headlights that are not working, I'd guess it is the FRM that is starting to fail. If it were one headlamp, then I'd look at a short. But both sounds system to me.

I just received a used FRM from eBay. I'll install it later today. It has exactly the same part number as the existing one, and I'm hoping no programming is needed.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by Skyline

I just received a used FRM from eBay. I'll install it later today. It has exactly the same part number as the existing one, and I'm hoping no programming is needed.

Unfortunately, the FRM is loaded with a specific vehicle order, that is, the specific options for an individual vehicle. It is unlikely that the one you received will be plug and play.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

Unfortunately, the FRM is loaded with a specific vehicle order, that is, the specific options for an individual vehicle. It is unlikely that the one you received will be plug and play.

Actually it worked perfectly, and solved my high beam issues. So is the FRM actually programmed by the technician, or does the programming vary based on the BMW part number/model of the FRM? Based on my experience, it would appear the latter, but maybe I was just lucky. I DID use exactly the same part number FRM, and there seem to be many variants.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by Skyline

Actually it worked perfectly, and solved my high beam issues. So is the FRM actually programmed by the technician, or does the programming vary based on the BMW part number/model of the FRM? Based on my experience, it would appear the latter, but maybe I was just lucky. I DID use exactly the same part number FRM, and there seem to be many variants.

An FRM comes with nothing substantial on it. A new FRM provides for basic operation at that point. After physical installation, the vehicle order is loaded to the FRM. Most of the E70 equipment is identical so a used one can work as it did here. I'd be surprised, however, if you find some features or indications that aren't quite right down the road. Unless you got really lucky. I'd be interested to see if there are any diagnostic codes stored at this point.

[ard]

Im going to say the 2nd option. Not totally bespoke on a 'per car' basis, but every car 'build' will then get an FRM load with whatever it needs. You got lucky that the replacement was compatible. Just based on reading, never coded one.

[josiahg52]

High-beam assistant.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by josiahg52

High-beam assistant.

I don't think so, but I don't really know. How can I tell from looking at the car?

From a VIN decoder in the section on lighting:

S508A Park Distance Control PDC S563A Makeup mirror illuminated S521A REGENSENSOR S522A Xenon Light S524A Headlight control S544A GESCHWINDIGKEITSREGEL MIT BREMSF

Definitely has adaptive Xenon lights that move with the steering and go up and down.

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by Skyline

I don't think so, but I don't really know. How can I tell from looking at the car?

From a VIN decoder in the section on lighting:

S508A Park Distance Control PDC S563A Makeup mirror illuminated S521A REGENSENSOR S522A Xenon Light S524A Headlight control S544A GESCHWINDIGKEITSREGEL MIT BREMSF

Definitely has adaptive Xenon lights that move with the steering and go up and down.

S508A - Park distance control
S563A - Lighted mirrors in sun visors
S521A - Rain sensor (for windshield wipers)
S522A - Xenon (HID) lights
S524A - Adaptive headlights
S544A - Cruise control with braking

It appears you don't have HBA.