Xenon Headlight Problems

DaveSakky135 · 02-04-2013, 05:15 PM

So long story short the dealer left the back of my headlights open and water got in and fried a bunch of stuff. I freaked out and the best they agreed to do was parts and labor for $1000.

My active headlight failure light is on and my left low beam is out.

They are saying i need to replace the following:

Left/Right SMC module 63-11-7-180-829
Xenon bulb/Ignitor 63-21-7-217-509
Xenon Control Unit 63-11-7-180-050

Where are these parts located aside from the lights? Can i save an install myself? I am a bit confused between an AHL module and the SMC. From what i understand there is an SMC under each light? and the AHL is inside the car? And what is the xenon Control Unit location?

Thanks,

DAVID

jcarlos · 02-04-2013, 05:27 PM

Your ignitor is the ballast connected to the bulb, D1S bulbs have this particular set up. These bulbs are sold with the ignitors in place already.
The control module, also known as xenon control module or ballast control module connects to the ignitor through a wiring harness.
You can find used control modules on ebay but make sure you get one that has proof and documentation of working condition. These can be costly, I was quoted $800 CAD from the dealership.

However, I have bi-xenon non-adaptive headlights which just got fixed last week. If the dealership failed to close the protective case around the headlight properly, I think they should be responsible for the repairs resulting from their mistake.

Good luck with that.

DaveSakky135 · 02-04-2013, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the help. I have been fighting with them all week and they agreed to drop the price from $1700 to $1000 for the fix, but that is all. What i dont understand is if the Xenon control unit was fried wouldn't both headlights be out? Or is there two? My left headlight is the only one out, but the right is working. Apparently they tried swapping bulbs and the left one wont come on regardless.

GoRomeo · 02-04-2013, 05:40 PM

Yeah if they did it why are you so worried? They should pay for any parts and labor since its their fault your lights are not working.

DaveSakky135 · 02-04-2013, 05:44 PM

Iv been fighting with them for a solid week about it. They are blaming my HID angel eyes on it which is bs, because they have been in for 2 years and they left the caps open!

GoRomeo · 02-04-2013, 05:49 PM

You should contact BMWUSA and open a case. Thats what I would do if I were you

BOBKUR · 02-06-2013, 01:08 PM

You have altered the headlights, trying to prove they caused the problem will be impossible. Take the deal while it is still on the table.

grassfeeder · 02-06-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOBKUR

You have altered the headlights, trying to prove they caused the problem will be impossible. Take the deal while it is still on the table.

ding ding ding........take the money, run, and consider yourself lucky.

Mr.performance · 02-06-2013, 02:15 PM

you just go to ebay get the bulb..you don't need to change the smc.your AHL still working

DaveSakky135 · 02-23-2013, 10:38 AM

replaced the xenon control unit as it was all corroded. Light turned back on, however i am still getting an active steering fault. Where is the SMC 2 located? i didnt see it there. part number SMC module 63-11-7-180-829.

dave

The Koz · 02-23-2013, 11:54 AM

Anyone out there who can advise me how to replace the ballast? A Tech friend of mine helped me try changing the bulb (D1S) twice first to no effect?

The ballast is attached to the side of the light and has three bolts; two are accessible the third slot appears that you would need to take out the headlight and it looks like two torque bolts on top should do it? Checking?

Dealership is telling me that it's two hours labour (after a $135 diagnosis) to re and re the ballast and that you have to take out the headlight, hoist the car and remove the bumper just to get at one bolt?+ cost of part around $625 (saw on ebay for around $300? Where is the best online store or local Toronto store to buy?).

My light flickered and was weaker than the right side and then went out completely. The bulb has the igniter as part of it, so that rules out that possibility.

Was thinking that it might be best to swap out the working ballast to the driver's side to test to confim issue? I guess it could be a wiring issue or whole light assembly? Unlikely I think, as all the other lights are working (turn signal and parking lights etc.)

Would appreciate some guidance from the Bimmer Pros out there I'm technical and handy but have not worked on a BMW before.

Thanks in advance!

Steve

robmoe · 02-27-2013, 06:45 PM

I am having a similar issue. However, they are telling me the wire pluged into my control unit is fried. They sent me the picture. Looks to be two wire connections. I know one is for the actual bulb. What is the other one to? That is the one that is fried. Do they have any type of adapter kits to fix this issue? Thanks!

ZhengHai · 02-28-2013, 01:07 AM

Wow thats so shitty of BMW to do that. Since they arent going to replace it for free. Get it fixed and find another stealership to go to. Hope things work out in the end.

InlineSix · 04-05-2013, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

You should contact BMWUSA and open a case. Thats what I would do if I were you

My dealer did the same exact thing to me. They left the back panel on my driver side headlight open and fried the adaptive Module and Xenon Bulb. They replaced the Bulb for free, but wanted to charge me for the unit, around $1k, for getting the adaptive function back. They claimed because I had a aftermarket bulb in the headlight (the one that lights up momentarily when turning the wheel) they could use that as the cause to this problem.

I fought for weeks, called BMW NA, opened a case, they can't do anything. All they do is contact the Manager, or his boss, to contact me to try and settle the problem. BMW NA can't force them to do anything, it's completely up to the dealer, and they don't care.

Dealer - South Motors BMW in Miami Florida.

johnlaviola · 08-24-2013, 10:01 AM

I've been searching this forum fairly exhaustively, but have yet to find out some key information about the replacement of my driver's side SMC.

From what I've read in various posts, the SMC module is "under the headlamp assembly." I jacked up my front left, removed the fender well liner, and removed the metal "box" from under the headlamp assembly. Well it's the wrong module...it's the ballast. I took off the back plastic cover of the headlamp assembly and found the ignitor.

Where is the SMC module? Do I have to remove the bumper from my 2008 335XI to get at it??

Thanks
john

02-04-2013, 05:15 PM	#1
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Xenon Headlight Problems So long story short the dealer left the back of my headlights open and water got in and fried a bunch of stuff. I freaked out and the best they agreed to do was parts and labor for $1000. My active headlight failure light is on and my left low beam is out. They are saying i need to replace the following: Left/Right SMC module 63-11-7-180-829 Xenon bulb/Ignitor 63-21-7-217-509 Xenon Control Unit 63-11-7-180-050 Where are these parts located aside from the lights? Can i save an install myself? I am a bit confused between an AHL module and the SMC. From what i understand there is an SMC under each light? and the AHL is inside the car? And what is the xenon Control Unit location? Thanks, DAVID
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02-04-2013, 05:27 PM	#2
jcarlos Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 325i sedan Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada iTrader: (0)	Your ignitor is the ballast connected to the bulb, D1S bulbs have this particular set up. These bulbs are sold with the ignitors in place already. The control module, also known as xenon control module or ballast control module connects to the ignitor through a wiring harness. You can find used control modules on ebay but make sure you get one that has proof and documentation of working condition. These can be costly, I was quoted $800 CAD from the dealership. However, I have bi-xenon non-adaptive headlights which just got fixed last week. If the dealership failed to close the protective case around the headlight properly, I think they should be responsible for the repairs resulting from their mistake. Good luck with that.
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02-04-2013, 05:33 PM	#3
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the help. I have been fighting with them all week and they agreed to drop the price from $1700 to $1000 for the fix, but that is all. What i dont understand is if the Xenon control unit was fried wouldn't both headlights be out? Or is there two? My left headlight is the only one out, but the right is working. Apparently they tried swapping bulbs and the left one wont come on regardless.
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02-04-2013, 05:40 PM	#4
GoRomeo Brigadier General 1015 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Yeah if they did it why are you so worried? They should pay for any parts and labor since its their fault your lights are not working.
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02-04-2013, 05:44 PM	#5
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Iv been fighting with them for a solid week about it. They are blaming my HID angel eyes on it which is bs, because they have been in for 2 years and they left the caps open!
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02-04-2013, 05:49 PM	#6
GoRomeo Brigadier General 1015 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	You should contact BMWUSA and open a case. Thats what I would do if I were you
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02-06-2013, 01:08 PM	#7
BOBKUR Major 20 Rep 1,361 Posts Drives: 2008 E 90 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CALIFORNIA iTrader: (2)	You have altered the headlights, trying to prove they caused the problem will be impossible. Take the deal while it is still on the table.
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02-06-2013, 02:15 PM	#9
Mr.performance Banned 8 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2013 f30 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: san francisco iTrader: (0)	you just go to ebay get the bulb..you don't need to change the smc.your AHL still working
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02-23-2013, 10:38 AM	#10
DaveSakky135 First Lieutenant 47 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 135i Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	replaced the xenon control unit as it was all corroded. Light turned back on, however i am still getting an active steering fault. Where is the SMC 2 located? i didnt see it there. part number SMC module 63-11-7-180-829. dave
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02-23-2013, 11:54 AM	#11
The Koz Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335 XI Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Barrie, ON iTrader: (0)	Need Help with BMW 335 XI Low Beam Issue Anyone out there who can advise me how to replace the ballast? A Tech friend of mine helped me try changing the bulb (D1S) twice first to no effect? The ballast is attached to the side of the light and has three bolts; two are accessible the third slot appears that you would need to take out the headlight and it looks like two torque bolts on top should do it? Checking? Dealership is telling me that it's two hours labour (after a $135 diagnosis) to re and re the ballast and that you have to take out the headlight, hoist the car and remove the bumper just to get at one bolt?+ cost of part around $625 (saw on ebay for around $300? Where is the best online store or local Toronto store to buy?). My light flickered and was weaker than the right side and then went out completely. The bulb has the igniter as part of it, so that rules out that possibility. Was thinking that it might be best to swap out the working ballast to the driver's side to test to confim issue? I guess it could be a wiring issue or whole light assembly? Unlikely I think, as all the other lights are working (turn signal and parking lights etc.) Would appreciate some guidance from the Bimmer Pros out there I'm technical and handy but have not worked on a BMW before. Thanks in advance! Steve
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02-27-2013, 06:45 PM	#12
robmoe New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: May 2009 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I am having a similar issue. However, they are telling me the wire pluged into my control unit is fried. They sent me the picture. Looks to be two wire connections. I know one is for the actual bulb. What is the other one to? That is the one that is fried. Do they have any type of adapter kits to fix this issue? Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2013, 01:07 AM	#13
ZhengHai Captain 240 Rep 883 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: AV, California iTrader: (2)	Wow thats so shitty of BMW to do that. Since they arent going to replace it for free. Get it fixed and find another stealership to go to. Hope things work out in the end. __________________
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08-24-2013, 10:01 AM	#15
johnlaviola New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335XI Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Orange, CT iTrader: (0)	SMC module...help! I've been searching this forum fairly exhaustively, but have yet to find out some key information about the replacement of my driver's side SMC. From what I've read in various posts, the SMC module is "under the headlamp assembly." I jacked up my front left, removed the fender well liner, and removed the metal "box" from under the headlamp assembly. Well it's the wrong module...it's the ballast. I took off the back plastic cover of the headlamp assembly and found the ignitor. Where is the SMC module? Do I have to remove the bumper from my 2008 335XI to get at it?? Thanks john
	Appreciate 0 Quote