Low beam/High Beam Malfunction!

FazAttack · 12-02-2019, 09:09 PM

Howdy all. I recently purchased a new to me 2011 m3. I noticed the day after delivery that I had a dash warning that the low beam bulb was out. So, I went on ECS and quickly ordered replacement bulbs. After changing the bulb, to no avail the goddam light still didn't turn on. I then tried the second bulb I purchased ... and still nothing. The halos are still operating as normal, the fuses appeared intact, and the headlight itself appears to be in good condition. Anybody have any idea what this could be?

FazAttack · 12-03-2019, 12:34 PM

Update: So I brought my car to the stealership and apparently water got into the headlight. They quoted me 2900 with a very generous 10% discount. Does this make sense considering the rest of the headlight and blinker work? im still convinced its the balast.

SAMM3Y · 12-03-2019, 12:44 PM

Try a forum search regarding the ballast but you're probably right... you can amazon a ballast too for like $50..

BayE30 · 12-03-2019, 02:38 PM

$2900!!!! hahahahahaha, you could buy 2 new headlights online, along with new ballasts and control units AND pay a body shop to install the new units and still come in under the dealer quote.

sdbmwcoding · 12-03-2019, 03:12 PM

You need a "xenon Control module" they're about $50-$100 on eBay used. Also, the car may have thrown a short circuit fault for low beam depending on how long the bulb was out for. After a period of time of a bulb being out the footwell module will stop supplying voltage to that specific light until the short circuit counter is reset.

12-02-2019, 09:09 PM	#1
FazAttack Private 25 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Manhasset, NY iTrader: (1)	Low beam/High Beam Malfunction! Howdy all. I recently purchased a new to me 2011 m3. I noticed the day after delivery that I had a dash warning that the low beam bulb was out. So, I went on ECS and quickly ordered replacement bulbs. After changing the bulb, to no avail the goddam light still didn't turn on. I then tried the second bulb I purchased ... and still nothing. The halos are still operating as normal, the fuses appeared intact, and the headlight itself appears to be in good condition. Anybody have any idea what this could be?
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12-03-2019, 12:34 PM	#2
FazAttack Private 25 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Manhasset, NY iTrader: (1)	Update: So I brought my car to the stealership and apparently water got into the headlight. They quoted me 2900 with a very generous 10% discount. Does this make sense considering the rest of the headlight and blinker work? im still convinced its the balast.
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12-03-2019, 12:44 PM	#3
SAMM3Y Colonel 3085 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Try a forum search regarding the ballast but you're probably right... you can amazon a ballast too for like $50.. __________________ 9ers
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12-03-2019, 02:38 PM	#4
BayE30 Lieutenant Colonel 1341 Rep 1,881 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	$2900!!!! hahahahahaha, you could buy 2 new headlights online, along with new ballasts and control units AND pay a body shop to install the new units and still come in under the dealer quote. __________________ I am never able to post pictures on forums, all my pics are on IG @baye30 https://www.instagram.com/baye30/ Current Garage - [2011 E90 M3 ZCP] [2005 E53 X5 3.0 Sport] [1988 E30 325IS 24V]
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12-03-2019, 03:12 PM	#5
sdbmwcoding Captain 185 Rep 780 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: May 2019 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	You need a "xenon Control module" they're about $50-$100 on eBay used. Also, the car may have thrown a short circuit fault for low beam depending on how long the bulb was out for. After a period of time of a bulb being out the footwell module will stop supplying voltage to that specific light until the short circuit counter is reset.
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