Headlamp query

[ticker]

After a brief blat in the 350i, found that my headlamp pods pop up and down between side light and headlight function. They operate on side light only and when headlights are functioned they pop down and pop up again. Is this normal, any suggestions if not?

[19560]

No it's not normal but it's a common fault. Sounds like the switch in your case. Others are better at electrics, look at Pigeon's answer on the engines forum for Power ratings.

[jchase]

Yeah, mine do this sometimes. There are two diodes that power the pod relay circuits, so either high or low beam will keep the pods up. But if you momentarily interrupt the power, the pods start to go down, and so have to run the motors a full circuit. You could put in another relay, to switch from high to low quicker that way the pod relays will not get enough time to suffer a magnetic field collapse, and you won't have to remove the steerinrg column and switches - did this modification on a mates S**B, works great.

[ticker]

Thanks for that. I`ll keep an eye on it. Been working fine since.

Dave

[gaston]

Pop-up trouble usually comes from switching of on sort or another. ie lamps retract when power interupted, however briefly. If you never drive on side lights alone one fix is to wire the motor circuit onto side instead of head. Depends on your requirements. I bought some additional large diodes to re-arrange some electrics on my car.