Need help with headlights

Grecg · 08-25-2020, 04:43 PM

Hey everybody,
I just bought some used OEM xenon headlights for my F30. I had the ugly halogen lights on before. After installing the new lights I noticed that the lights turn on for about 10 seconds then flicker off. Also the day time running lights/parking lights do not turn on.

I'm guessing this is a coding issue and need help finding out how to code the new lights through bimmer code. Can somebody help with this?

Below is a before and after.

Billfitz · 08-25-2020, 05:28 PM

Xenon don't need coding, only LED do. Something else is causing the problem.

Rick4345 · 08-26-2020, 06:04 AM

Wouldn't he have to add 522 for Xenon lighting and 524 for adaptive lighting to his VO?? Providing all the wiring was done correctly.

If that's the case, you'll need to use ESys. If you don't have it, you can probably find someone on the forum that can code it for you remotely.

Squibby1996 · 08-26-2020, 09:19 AM

No xenon does need coding, halogen Pulses voltage whereas xenon is a constant voltage so yes would be a coding issue

Billfitz · 08-26-2020, 09:44 AM

Xenon has no problems with pulsed voltage because it's incandescent, just like halogen. That's why the coding options for the lighting source are 'is bulb' and 'is LED', with no option for 'is HID'. If one was to use 55w xenon bulbs coded to 'is LED' without a relay that could lead to overheating of the wiring, as it would greatly increase the current flow.

Grecg · 08-26-2020, 09:48 AM

Thanks for the help guys, I actually found a thread late last night showing a DIY on retrofitting OEM xenon last onto an LCI halogen model. To be honest it looks like a lot more work than I'd like to do.

I'm going to purchase the USR lights instead to avoid the headache.

08-25-2020, 04:43 PM	#1
Grecg New Member 56 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2016 328i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Deerfield Beach, FL iTrader: (0)	Hey everybody, I just bought some used OEM xenon headlights for my F30. I had the ugly halogen lights on before. After installing the new lights I noticed that the lights turn on for about 10 seconds then flicker off. Also the day time running lights/parking lights do not turn on. I'm guessing this is a coding issue and need help finding out how to code the new lights through bimmer code. Can somebody help with this? Below is a before and after. Attached Images
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08-25-2020, 05:28 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,086 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Xenon don't need coding, only LED do. Something else is causing the problem.
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08-26-2020, 06:04 AM	#3
Rick4345 Lieutenant Colonel 472 Rep 1,659 Posts Drives: 2022 WRX World Rally Blue Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (13) Garage List 2022 Subaru WRX GT [0.00]	Wouldn't he have to add 522 for Xenon lighting and 524 for adaptive lighting to his VO?? Providing all the wiring was done correctly. If that's the case, you'll need to use ESys. If you don't have it, you can probably find someone on the forum that can code it for you remotely. __________________ Rick
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08-26-2020, 09:19 AM	#4
Squibby1996 Second Lieutenant 70 Rep 208 Posts Drives: BMW F36 440i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Somerset iTrader: (0)	No xenon does need coding, halogen Pulses voltage whereas xenon is a constant voltage so yes would be a coding issue
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08-26-2020, 09:44 AM	#5
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,086 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Xenon has no problems with pulsed voltage because it's incandescent, just like halogen. That's why the coding options for the lighting source are 'is bulb' and 'is LED', with no option for 'is HID'. If one was to use 55w xenon bulbs coded to 'is LED' without a relay that could lead to overheating of the wiring, as it would greatly increase the current flow.
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08-26-2020, 09:48 AM	#6
Grecg New Member 56 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2016 328i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Deerfield Beach, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the help guys, I actually found a thread late last night showing a DIY on retrofitting OEM xenon last onto an LCI halogen model. To be honest it looks like a lot more work than I'd like to do. I'm going to purchase the USR lights instead to avoid the headache.
	Appreciate 0 Quote