e46 m3 headlight warning light?

[Jcerb]

Hi guys, i am picking up a really nice m3 individual friday, and it has an intermittent problem that BMW couldn't find. The fault is a light is coming up on the dash about a headlight being out which it isn't! Is this common, could it be an ignitor or control module? Much appreciated if anyone could shed any light! Cheers

[thepony]

Hi congratulations on your M3 :-)

I do not know of any such problem but you could try M3 Cutters as someone on there might know on their forums.

Btw what is the specification of your M3 :-)?

[Jcerb]

Cheers for that! Picking it up friday, it's top of the page on the classified! Silverstone blue one!

[thepony]

Very rare the Silverstone Editions and they are very highly specified with a lot of options :-)

Looks very nice enjoy :-)

[wax lyrical]

If it's indicating that one of the rear lights are out, then that's a common problem on the E46 - caused by wiring shorting out. Easy fix at a good BMW independent.

Jcerb said:

Hi guys, i am picking up a really nice m3 individual friday, and it has an intermittent problem that BMW couldn't find. The fault is a light is coming up on the dash about a headlight being out which it isn't! Is this common, could it be an ignitor or control module? Much appreciated if anyone could shed any light! Cheers

[hoppo4.2]

this may sound daft but check the little side light bulb it brings on the same warning light

[Bolognese]

Yes, check the sidelights. I fitted some after market sidelights to mine and I cant get the error to go. Will go back to OEM ones when I can be arsed to change them back.

[Cheburator mk2]

hoppo4.2 said:

this may sound daft but check the little side light bulb it brings on the same warning light

I had that problem on my E46 M3 - warning light kept on coming all the time. Turned out the side light bulb was shaking itself loose in the holder and then would fall out, triggering the warning. Sorted by swapping in a new bulbholder from BMW.

[Jcerb]

Hi guys thanks for all your input! It was a side light bulb in the end thank God! Just need to clay bar it now and wheel refurb due to lacquer peel!

[e46m3c]

good thread. i shall check my sidelight bulb! Thanks for posting!

[Leins]

e46m3c said:

good thread. i shall check my sidelight bulb! Thanks for posting!

They're an utter PITA on E46s. They either melt the surrounding holder, fall out or have wiring issues

[a1burns]

My sidelights do this on my 330ci, in all honesty I've found a tap (smack) of the headlight or opening and closing the bonnet sorts it out... ironically it usually happens when the lights are off but if they come on (auto lights) then the warning goes off after a few minutes!