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      01-12-2014, 10:32 AM   #1
R_C_S_//X3M
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Horrendous ride home from Williamsport Pa to South NJ with malfunctioning headlights

I have no idea why out of the blue the headlights decided not level up correctly at the start of the longest trip the car has been on. Anyone else ever experience this? Car is a 2013 328 xi sedan. Guessing a trip to the dealer is in order?
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      01-12-2014, 10:38 AM   #2
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Did you try shutting off the car and then restarting it to correct the level?
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      01-12-2014, 10:43 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by OC40 View Post
Did you try shutting off the car and then restarting it to correct the level?
Yep. Called BMW Assist too which was basically a waste of 15 minutes sitting on the side of the road.
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      01-12-2014, 10:57 AM   #4
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I had a similar issue with my lights. I just got the unit replaced last week.
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      01-12-2014, 12:05 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by synclastica_86 View Post
I had a similar issue with my lights. I just got the unit replaced last week.
I did not get any failure warnings but already emailed my SA. Guess I will bring it in ASAP.
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      01-12-2014, 01:24 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R_C_S_335is View Post
I have no idea why out of the blue the headlights decided not level up correctly at the start of the longest trip the car has been on. Anyone else ever experience this? Car is a 2013 328 xi sedan. Guessing a trip to the dealer is in order?
Do you have xenons?
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      01-12-2014, 03:09 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by tturedraider View Post
Do you have xenons?
Yes
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      01-12-2014, 03:50 PM   #8
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So when you restarted the car didn't go through its auto leveling procedure?
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      01-12-2014, 08:49 PM   #9
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Definitely bring it in. This happened on my Z4 and one of the leveling sensor arms was broken.
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      01-12-2014, 09:17 PM   #10
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Funny you mantion that, I think I've been having the same issue. It seems like every day the lights are a little lower and I can see the jagged top limit just in front of the car.
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      01-12-2014, 09:39 PM   #11
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Once upon a time there was an issue on a few cars with the screw that mounts the level sensor breaking. Check the sensor mount or just take it in.
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      01-12-2014, 10:13 PM   #12
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I just had my '14 320i in for this very problem. They said a bolt on the rear ride level sensor was broken. Its buried pretty far up out of the way so I found it hard to believe it could have been hit by anything. Must be a manufacturing defect.
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      01-14-2014, 03:32 PM   #13
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Damn BMW can't get me in for a week. Nothing like taking your life in your hands every time you drive the car.

I will apologize in advance if anyone is blinded by our high beams over the next week
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      01-15-2014, 02:25 AM   #14
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I had that exact problem on my F31. The bolt holding the level indicator had broken right off. Seems to be a general problem.
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      01-15-2014, 07:34 PM   #15
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this just happened to me tonight. both headlights just point down. my lateral movements still work but nothing else

Just when it was about to go I was stopped at the light and my lights were going all the way up and then all the way down. I restarted the car and down they points.
My dealer can't get me for 2 weeks.

Driving at night is not going to be fun
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      01-15-2014, 07:54 PM   #16
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try to get a loaner, driving like that is dangerous. Obviously it's BMW fault.
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      01-16-2014, 09:24 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chetman7 View Post
this just happened to me tonight. both headlights just point down. my lateral movements still work but nothing else

Just when it was about to go I was stopped at the light and my lights were going all the way up and then all the way down. I restarted the car and down they points.
My dealer can't get me for 2 weeks.

Driving at night is not going to be fun
I am calling BMW USA today to complain. My wife works nights and is driving with her high beams to safely get to work and back. This is obviously a mfg defect and should be addressed immediately. I suggest you do the same.
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      01-16-2014, 06:13 PM   #18
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called my dealership as their online apt setup said the next available apt was 1/27. They went from 1030..which I couldn't do b/c of work. then they said I could drop it off at 12 (lunch break for me). I stated I need a loaner. They then said they had no loans and would be able to shuttle me back to work, I said no and gave the whole speal about me driving to work very early and leaving late at night and did not want to drive with my highbeams for a weak. They put me on hold and said they have a rental for me. Dropped it off at 1230...picked it up at 530 when I got out of work.

Funny part is...they have plenty of rentals available.

receipt says
"found both headlamps are pointing very low. Connected diagnostic tester and battery charger. Checked fault memory and found fault stored in ICM for rear ride height sensor implausible reading. removed rear suspension splash cover on left side to gain access. Inspected sensor and found sesnor backet is not securely fastened to control arm. Connecting bolt appears to have broken. Replaced bolt for ride height sensor and rechck headlamps are now painting at the proper ride height level. Cleared fault memory and road test......4.5 mile road test...

Sounds like a simple fix in my case.
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      01-16-2014, 06:26 PM   #19
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That's the issue. It's the bolt on the level sensor that breaks. It's likely the cause in every case.
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      01-16-2014, 07:33 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic View Post
That's the issue. It's the bolt on the level sensor that breaks. It's likely the cause in every case.
yea, that is what I have been reading as well. I wonder how much it would have cost out of warranty for them to just change a bolt. It only states 45 minutes of work time.
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