E39 headlights broken?

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

It never rains it pours (see previous post mistakenly posted in the 'M power' area - my PDC is broken). So last night I turned my lights on. I always pause between sidelights and turning the switch on to full lights (to give the car a chance to catch up as it were). The headlights turned on fine but didn't do their traditional 'wiggle' up and down and then settling. All they did was up, down, stay down.

I'm guessing some some sort of motor(s) has gone in both headlights which, knowing our blessed german brethren, will be a sealed unit(s) only able to be replaced rather than fixed?

Please put my out of my misery.....!

I'm guessing £400 quid for the fix?

Everything else it seems.....

And my cylinder head went on my e30 this week too. As I say - it never rains it pours....

[B'stard Child]

Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

It never rains it pours (see previous post mistakenly posted in the 'M power' area - my PDC is broken). So last night I turned my lights on. I always pause between sidelights and turning the switch on to full lights (to give the car a chance to catch up as it were). The headlights turned on fine but didn't do their traditional 'wiggle' up and down and then settling. All they did was up, down, stay down.

I'm guessing some some sort of motor(s) has gone in both headlights which, knowing our blessed german brethren, will be a sealed unit(s) only able to be replaced rather than fixed?

Please put my out of my misery.....!

I'm guessing £400 quid for the fix?

Everything else it seems.....

And my cylinder head went on my e30 this week too. As I say - it never rains it pours....

Have you disconnected the battery or let it run flat recently or had a light control module change

I say this because I had a problem with my E38 lighting and ended up replacing the light control module after doing this the wiggle thing didn't happen on fire up and I tried for ages to track down the fault only to find that disconnecting the battery and leaving it for 30 mins fixed the problem when it was re-connected

One headlight motor failing I can get but both at the same time - seems strange so I'd try the battery trick first

[MarkwG]

Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

It never rains it pours...

wow, you're hitting every e39 glitch possible! Standby for the LKM & the ignition switch next...good job they're fun to drive, eh?

The lamps might not be such a big issue, just a faff - http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9... - not been there myself, yet, but looks simple enough.

[hoppo4.2]

If you have fancy hid style lights might just be the self levelling sensors should have one front and back on the suspention arms

[roofer]

hoppo4.2 said:

If you have fancy hid style lights might just be the self levelling sensors should have one front and back on the suspention arms

Correct, look at the offside front lower suspension arm and see if the plastic levelling arm is broken. Its not the lights if both are fubar.

[BliarOut]

£16 for some new internal adjusters. My local BMW approved dealer didn't even know they were available till I quoted a part no to them. You have to completely strip the clusters to replace them.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Guys

Got any part numbers so I can look at it on realoem? Then I can see whether it's a fix I want to do or accurately explain it to my garage chap. There's a local BMW independent but somehow, even though the work they've done on my car has been fine, leaves me with no desire to use them again. Just a a relationship thing I guess.

Thanks everyone. Both lights are affected (and I don't have after HID's or anything).

Rhyd

[Quinten]

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E39/Sedan/Europe...

Saw about 5 sets or so on ebay, with various prices, but I can personally recommend http://www.bmminiparts.com/Home.aspx

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

That's great - much appreciated. A tough but straightforward DIY job do you think or best left to a garage?

[Quinten]

I've not done them myself (no need yet), but from seeing the various guides, rather finicky.

[B'stard Child]

Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:

Guys

Got any part numbers so I can look at it on realoem? Then I can see whether it's a fix I want to do or accurately explain it to my garage chap. There's a local BMW independent but somehow, even though the work they've done on my car has been fine, leaves me with no desire to use them again. Just a a relationship thing I guess.

Thanks everyone. Both lights are affected (and I don't have after HID's or anything).

Rhyd

Did you try the battery disconnect and then reconnect trick I suggested?

[BliarOut]

If you're mechanically adept it's a doddle, not really the sort of job a garage will touch. If you routinely break plastic clips when you disconnect things get a mate round