Xenon .. bulb?

[H6CJF]

A quick question...

'04 330d sport touring: O/S/F dipped beam failed last night (HiD) Do they have a bulb as such?

Any DIY advice or this a trip to the dealers?

thanks

Chris

[Methane Bloke]

Both Xenon dipped beams on our 54 plate 330d Sport failed in quick succession. Both light units had to be replaced by the dealer, luckily under warranty.

[H6CJF]

So, having had chance to research a little more I can see that it uses a D2S bulb. That said, the common claim is that these last 'a lifetime' so, what are the chances of it being the bulb I wonder? Judging by Methane Blokes comment is it more likely to be a complete unit which I imagine incorporates the transforme etc. Swapping the bulb from side to side would prove it I guess but even that looks complex as at first attempt there doesnt seem to be room to get the back cover off without removing the lamp unit... or is it me?

[bimmer_87]

Dont forget the bulb costs about £50-£70

[Methane Bloke]

Ours began as an intermittent problem with the light flashing on and off. It then failed completely and then a few days later came back on. The dealer had looked at in the meantime and had to order a light unit in from Germany. When the other side started playing up the dealer just got the unit in and swapped it over without even looking at it first. There was a suggestion that it was a known problem.

[noumenon]

Swap the bulbs from driver to passenger side. This will tell you if it's the bulb or something else (like the ballast).

[H6CJF]

Is it me being a numpty but I cant seem to get enough clearance to remove the back cover to get the bulbs out! never had that problem wth non Xenon cars (Mrs CJF has a 330ci conv and my son has a 330d with standard lights so I'm not exactly without experence in that dept!)

[noumenon]

Does the handbook offer any advice?

Taking the headlight out might be the quickest way. Most have a couple of small bolts at the top and push fit at the bottom.

[noumenon]

Or if it's easier, you could swap the ballast...

[H6CJF]

Ok.. swapped the bulbs over without too much difficulty in the slightly warmer, drier and brighter conditions today... (I was just being a numpty). However the problem hasnt changed sides so I guess I'm looking further back up the chain!. Just found this thread:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=6095...

What a pain this job looks!

Dont you just love Hi Tech! (not)

Edited by H6CJF on Tuesday 13th January 13:15

[noumenon]

Good luck with that! I guess that it's probably the ballast, but only as I imagine the ignitor is just to get it going...

Here's an exploded diagram which might help too...
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EX92...