3.0d, New AHL - does it need coding? And how?
 

Hey guys, here's me again. :D
Finally, I found some time to continue working on my E53. I hope by summer it will be done. Mechanically we still need to check the turbo, and if the previous owner deleted DPF and the catalytic converter properly - since they did many blasphemous things to this beautiful car, we just need to double-check everything.

Anyhow, while waiting for my mechanic, I was thinking to resolve some possible AHL module problems.

With P.A.Soft I read a bunch of error codes (image attached) that I couldn't erase. The headlights are working properly, but I'm not sure if vertical control does.
And after looking for code meanings, I realized that I may need a new (or new-used) AHL module --> I believe that is the black module behind the glove box, above GM3. The number 9 on the diagram https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=61_1357
Am I wrong?

And If I do get a new one, does the new AHL module needs to be coded?
The process is, I believe, similar to coding a new GM3 module with NCSExpert.

SMC module (Nr.5) is on the bottom of the headlight. It's not uncommon to fail because of water getting in.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=63_0833

You think its rather SMC than AHL? But what with all these Telegram errors?
And does SMC needs also coding if replaced?

I would say more likely SMC than the actual AHL module. Aren't those shadow memory error codes rather irrelevant and not even shown with actual diagnostics? With proper diagnostics you could test if and how the headlight movement is working.

New SMC module needs to be coded.

That actually makes sense. Stepper Motor Box communication should also be related to the SMC? The only question is, is it only left, or both. I will have to inspect that.

Regarding coding, if I end up replacing one or both, is it simple NCSExpert coding as GM3, or something more complicated?

Hey guys, so yeah, finally I found time to deal with the headlights, resolved wiring issues, added LED angel eyes (still have to figure out how to disable flickering), and after replacing SMC modules, errors above disappeared (only these 2 telegram shadow errors stayed, of which one disappears when cleared, but then returns again).

Anyhow, I tried coding SMC modules with NCS Expert (RSMC and LSMC), but I'm getting errors (see picture). And when starting the car, the headlights (i.e. AHL) don't do a thing. I'm supposed I don't know how to code it properly.

What am I doing wrong?

I tried it this way:

NCSExpert/Load Profile (Expert mode)/F1 (Start)/F3 (chose Chassis)/Select EWS (for example)/F6 (Back)/F4 (Process ECU)/Select RSMC or LSMC/F2 (Change job to SG_Codieren)/F3 (Execute job)

But this error persists. :dunno:

Any advice?

Hi there guys after a while. I still haven't managed to resolve my AHL problem.

I managed to code both SMC modules, but the lights are still directed too high. With INPA tests, I managed to see that the motors are functioning and directing lights well in all directions.

Is there any way to re-calibrate AHL, to put the lights in "normal position," or do I have to set headlights with two screws on every headlight manually?


P.S. It looks like that mine Steering Angle Sensor is not working. Is that maybe causing AHL not to work?

It's late, and maybe I'm not following... did you replace faulty AHL modules (water damage... ask me how I know) or are you retrofitting AHL headlights?

If the former, AHL modules do not need coding. But they do need initialization in INPA.

If the latter, your ZCS will need to be changed to reflect the addition of AHL.

I'm unsure if a non-functional SAS will affect AHL workings. Though... it's a cheap repair (rebuild kit <$100 I believe... been awhile since I repaired mine), so I'd do that and then continue with headlights.

The thing is, I have a new SAS, but I believe that it's pretty hard to replace it, half of the car has to come out if I'm not wrong, so I'm delaying that as much as possible.

Now concerning AHL, I do have AHL from the factory... If I didn't, I probably wouldn't ever retrofit that haha...

Anyhow, as far as I know, the AHL module is fine. Even physically... I was working on something with GMIII, so everything seems normal down there.

The errors I was getting were pointing out to the Left SMC module (and a to SAS also). I replaced SMCs in both headlights (got them for the price of one) and finally, a few days, ago I managed to code them in with NCSExpert.
But since headlights are still pointing "to the sky" I assume I need to calibrate, re-calibrate or initialize something, but I don't know how.
I was playing with INPA for an hour and didn't manage to find anything. Also in ISTA or P.A. Soft I couldn't find a thing that would do that. Maybe NCSExpert?

Or as I mentioned above, maybe I need to physically adjust the headlights with the two screws on them first?

Could you please tell me how you succed to code the SMC module ? I have the same problem with same E53.
Tried like you , to code and have the same error

Thank you

Honestly I don’t know. At first I was getting error for both, L and R. Than at some point I managed to code one, but the other one was throwing errors. And than, a few days ago I managed to code the other one. I assume that the problem is either with the version of NCSExpert or crappy cable.

Before I coded the other one I was playing with AHL module in INPA, maybe that helped somehow to establish communication.

P.S. I assume that you know that you need to have the lights on auto

Yes the lights are on auto. Don't know why i cannot code. The left headlight is max to left now moved ...

Hi, I'm having exactly the same problem with my e46 right now.

The green LED next to the light switch started flashing, I sent the AHL driver for regeneration, installed it and I could get to it in ISTA but the LED was still flashing, I did diagnostics with ISTA (moving the lamps using the menu) and the left lamp worked great, the right one not at all. I purchased and installed a new SMC module for the right lamp. The LED began to glow steadily, I can force the lamp to move with ISTA, but a new problem has arisen ... The lamp moved to the left and got stuck. What's worse, I can't code the LSMC and RSMC drivers with NCS Expert because I get the exact same error as you: ALC_DS2 COAPI.

How did you manage to code these drivers, what exactly did you change?

As for the management of the lamps and the fact that they shine too high for you.

- A) check in ISTA (or in INPA, although I do not know if there is such a reading) what the readings from the xenon leveling sensors look like, one in the right front wheel arch, the other in the rear left one. They are responsible for the fact that the car knows how to set the lamps up and down. It is enough that when replacing stabilizers or swingarms someone broke them and they will show nonsense. The reading allows you to see how they work, usually the maximum tilt when it gives the lift is over 4.00V, when I stand on an almost flat reading gives about ~ 2.5V, you can check how they behave with the reading on and how someone will press you forward and rear of the car - it should change slightly. And there is also one more thing - you should be able to manually set lamps just by wrench (up-down) its classic way to regulate.

- B) with INPA, from what I remember, you can set dynamic xenon, I don't remember if it's up or down or just right-left, but where there will be manual setting, right-left will also be vertical, go to Adaptive Headlights and look for Manually options.

- C) Running the reference run in ISTA while playing with them should set them in different ways but at the end they should return to the neutral position (if they don't do this then something is wrong, but here I refer you to point A first)


I'm currently struggling with the fact that I can't get to a single module in NCS EXPERT, even though the left lamp works perfectly ... Could you remember what exactly you did?

And as for the second person in the subject, my lamps are also currently stuck (the right lamp is as far to the right as possible) but I'm going to disassemble the lamp, unfortunately, to see what happened, although I will give the coding and cleaning the plug a chance if I come up with something)


Communication on the forum can be difficult because I'm from Poland and I don't know what country this forum is from so the time difference can be significant

Something else from me, tomorrow I will remove the insulation from the SMC beam for the lamp, I don't like that I tried to move one and the other was also doing something. And in general, when coding, it can also be important, so it's worth taking a look if there is no bare copper under your insulation and the cables are touching. Also I've noticed something important - there is no way to code one of LSMC or RSMC when other one is not communicating well. When we want to code one of them, programs always check communication to both.

Have you mount original SMC or aftermarket one ? I know this E53 when he pluged the aftermarket SMC the left projector moved to max LEFT and there is it even now. Probably is problem that the SMC isn't original...

Aftermarket new, for sure we should code them using NCS EXPERT but for now I am not able to...

Can you add me on whatsapp ? I will send that to you on private message here, maybe we figure it out something

yo bro, i fixed it. This new SMC module is worth nothing, I can't code it. I put the SMC from the working lamp into the one that moved my lens to the maximum right and fixed it for me and it is correctly positioned. The problem is this new SMC, buy a workig used one and you will be happy as me.

Admittedly, I first connected the lamps right to left, left to right so as to exclude cables problem, and only then I also changed the module SMC, but it turned out that it was him and the lamp worked correctly!

In my case I did so.

1. I connected the right headlight to the wiring of the left one
2. I connected the left headlights to the wiring of the right one
I don't know if points 1 and 2 are necessary, I connected them because I had no idea
3. I put the original driver from the second lamp into the shifted lamp, which I know works
4. Ignition
5. Lights on auto mode
6. The lamp moved on its own and straightened itself (I did it a couple of times and it worked every time)

But it turned out that this new module sucks, I just order a used one.

I'm glad you managed to code that other SMC. I got two original ones from BMW in Germany, I managed to code them, when I turn on lights, they move down and up, but the lights are still pointed up.
I'm almost sure now I have to set them manually 😬😬

Alexxxa as I said:

check in ISTA (or in INPA, although I do not know if there is such a reading) what the readings from the xenon leveling sensors look like, one in the right front wheel arch, the other in the rear left one. They are responsible for the fact that the car knows how to set the lamps up and down. It is enough that when replacing stabilizers or swingarms someone broke them and they will show nonsense. The reading allows you to see how they work, usually the maximum tilt when it gives the lift is over 4.00V, when I stand on an almost flat reading gives about ~ 2.5V, you can check how they behave with the reading on and how someone will press you forward and rear of the car - it should change slightly.

Ah yes, sorry, I missed the previous post.
How do I get to these options in ISTA? I'm pretty new with ISTA, so i'm not very crafty around it.
I will check that as soon as I get back from the vacation!

But since the headlights were repaired, it’s not impossible that they screwed up something with heights.

1.Tree of modules
2. AHL (click on it)
3. Then on left bottom corner I have SG functions or something like that button - click on it (in other languages it may be just something related to calling a function, e.g. call up ECU...)
4. Then the second tab is available and somewhere probably under the general information or something like that there will be a front and back reading for this sensor to choose from (there will be more readings there, but you will find them on the list) you need to select these two and click to give the reading on the right

It is very possible that your sensor is slightly pushed out more or does not work at all, the readings will show a lot of information, but in addition, it is worth taking a look at the wheel arches to see if this sensor is attached, not moved, does not fly freely, etc.

Great, thanks for the steps!

The last one I checked last week when I did the brakes. Sensors are there and it looks like they are correctly attached.

Just a quick update on this one (I hate to leave the topics without any sort of answer):

I checked both leveling sensors. In my garage, they give me 2.10 (front) and 3.33 (back), and when I press the car, they change slightly. So I assume they work, and I believe SMCs work also now (I tested the movements of the headlights in ISTA). But I still have no idea how I managed to code them, that is to overcome that error. I just repeated the procedure a few times in a span of a few weeks, and it worked - so no good answer to that problem.

The position of the headlight I had to set manually, they were really pointed too high for some reason.
I still have to tweak them a little bit so I can see better, but I don't flash people anymore.
And I need to fix the right bulb, it looks like it moved a bit to the left from its place in the projector itself.
And generally, something is wrong with the right headlight - the screw for moving "left-right" seems like it is stuck - it tilts the light, it doesn't move it "left-right."

But in general, the lights are a lot better now.