2003 BMW 330 Logo
Posted on Mar 31, 2009

Xenon headlight problems

Hi there everyone my 2002 e46 bmw clubsport has developed a fault with the drivers side xenon headlight , the light has gone out so i brought a new bulb but this did not solve the problem it would appear that there is either a electrical fault , i changed the bulbs around so know they are ok , since the drivers side stopped working the passenger side has started to flicker and flash when switched on any advise would be very gratefully received cheers scott

  • 5 more comments 
  • s7ashton Mar 31, 2009

    hi ya tried all the fuses or so the garage that had a quick look said , dont know where the fuses are in the headlights

  • s7ashton Mar 31, 2009

    yes he checked all those fuses thought there might of been some more hiding away some where behind the light ,

    a few people have said it sounds like the ignighter or control box !

    looks like its going to be a exspensive trip to bmw ! thanks

  • s7ashton Apr 01, 2009

    ok i will try all of that when i got a good couple of hours light thanks very much for your comment

  • e46325 Apr 24, 2009

    I am having an identical problem w/ my E46 '02 325i. What did you do to fix your car? The driver side xenon does not always light-up. I think my passenger turn signal light is connected to the head light issue as I replaced the bulb thinking it had burnt-out. Several days later the turn signal needs replacement again. As the xenon lights were a $2,500 option to my car, having to pay for this repair is very frustrating.

  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    I think that BMWhelper may be correct, and yes it will be an expensive trip to BMW to have it repaired, let me know about it as I have the same headlights in mine

  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    the fuse box is behind the glove box, should be a couple of twist open screws on the bach panel of glove box for access

  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    have you checked the fuses? each headlight has its own fuse.

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  • Posted on Mar 31, 2009
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There are 3 things that make the xenon in your car work the bulb, an ignitor, and a control module, you know your bulbs are ok so thats good, now you will want to swap the control modules they are a metal box attached to the headlight assembly its roughly 4"x4" you will remove the hheadlight assemblys to get to the module, there are 4 8mm bolts and then it pulls out, it the light follows the control module then thats what you will need if not you will need an ignigtor, as far as the flickering that is moet likely the module going bad, the company that makes this system is AL (automotive lighting) there is an SIB from BMW about this that says under a warr claim both control modules are to be replaced and the bulb of the faulty headlight, however i cant count the number of times i have done all that and still have to replace the ignigtor, If it is the Ign that is alot harder to swap as you have to dis assembly the entire light assembly

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  • Posted on Jul 26, 2009
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Hi
My Drivers side had a problem where i needed to turn the head lamp on and off a number of times before it came on.
Then it went out completly, the bulbs where replaced with new ones. That didnt correct the issue.

Now my passenger side is having a similar issue.
I have purchased a part used head lamp with the ignitor and control unit intact, so need to swap these out with the broken one.
Do you have any manuals on how to remove the entire unit?
How long is the warrenty? (My car is a 1999 323ci)

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