Xenon headlights flickering:(

metalmind1 · 04-19-2008, 07:35 PM

I have xenon headlights and they are flickering. When they flicker it is both of them, not just one side so that leads me to look somewhere other than a ballast. It is like they turn off and back on in a blink of the eye. If anybody has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

GRIDLOCK · 04-19-2008, 07:37 PM

Hmmm, maybe the LCM is going bad?

metalmind1 · 04-19-2008, 08:09 PM

what does lcm stand for

GRIDLOCK · 04-19-2008, 08:11 PM

LCM: Lighting Control Module

sataraid · 05-02-2008, 12:21 PM

This is happening to me also. I am getting a rear passenger bulb out warning. I replaced all rear bulbs still getting bulb out and flickering. How many thousand is the LCM going to cost me??

sataraid · 05-03-2008, 01:03 PM

I finally fixed mine!! Cost??? Just a little time and some wire. Sorry no pictures.

The basic problem bad ground. Were you getting a bulb out warning??

GermnBlt · 05-03-2008, 01:16 PM

mine flashes time to time, gets on my nerves. I dont have a bulb light flashing out though...I'm thinking ground, but figured i'd get around to it when I change my icv and oil..

dan4081 · 05-06-2008, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sataraid

I finally fixed mine!! Cost??? Just a little time and some wire. Sorry no pictures.

The basic problem bad ground. Were you getting a bulb out warning??

What ground? A little more detail please.............

dan4081 · 05-06-2008, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sataraid

I finally fixed mine!! Cost??? Just a little time and some wire. Sorry no pictures.

The basic problem bad ground. Were you getting a bulb out warning??

What ground? A little more detail please.............

ssm1991 · 05-06-2008, 05:48 AM

For the taillight: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=512469

dan4081 · 05-06-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssm1991

For the taillight: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=512469

Thanks for the help!!

Lancer101 · 05-06-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalmind1

I have xenon headlights and they are flickering. When they flicker it is both of them, not just one side so that leads me to look somewhere other than a ballast. It is like they turn off and back on in a blink of the eye. If anybody has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Maybe this can help your flickering..... HID Anti-Flicker/Bulb Out Resistor Pack Set from EAS for $45... http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...oducts_id=1579

dan4081 · 05-06-2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancer101

Maybe this can help your flickering..... HID Anti-Flicker/Bulb Out Resistor Pack Set from EAS for $45... http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...oducts_id=1579

I think that is just for when you are adding HID lights to a car that didnt have them OEM. Mine and the original posters problem is with original xenons installed and looks to be a ground problem.

metalmind1 · 06-21-2008, 06:59 PM

I have since replaced both fron bulbs and my lights still flicker. I looked at my tail lamp housing and they are different than the ones that there is a fix mentioned for above. I have a 2000 and that fix is for 2001+. I examined the connectors and they showed no signs of corrosion or burnt connectors. I was hoping maybe someone eles with a pre-01 car might have had this problem and fixed it. Any insight is much appreciated.

dan4081 · 06-21-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalmind1

I have since replaced both fron bulbs and my lights still flicker. I looked at my tail lamp housing and they are different than the ones that there is a fix mentioned for above. I have a 2000 and that fix is for 2001+. I examined the connectors and they showed no signs of corrosion or burnt connectors. I was hoping maybe someone eles with a pre-01 car might have had this problem and fixed it. Any insight is much appreciated.

That would be me!

I had the same problem, and also have the same housing as you. For me it was as simple as taking each bulb out of the socket in the taillights and putting them back in. Problem solved-no more flicker.
Two months later the problem came back. This time I went to autozone and bought new bulbs. ($12 for all six bulbs)
Havent had a problem since..........

BMW //MPOWER · 06-21-2008, 10:54 PM

Flickering lights is a sign your transformer is on the fritz.
I'd suggest getting it looked at, shouldn't cost much to replace.

Dan99 · 06-22-2008, 12:07 AM

I don't know how to fix it, but I know someone that had that same problem and he took it to the dealership and they got fixed for him for about $800

sillieidiot · 06-22-2008, 12:25 AM

it's most likely a ground issue somewhere on your car. probably take it to get diagnosed or something

dan4081 · 06-22-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

Flickering lights is a sign your transformer is on the fritz.
I'd suggest getting it looked at, shouldn't cost much to replace.

No its not.
Flickering lights is a sign of a bad ground, usually in the tail lights. It causes the light control module to keep resetting itself, and this causes the headlights to flicker.

naraM · 06-22-2008, 10:24 AM

yeah bad ground

04-19-2008, 07:35 PM	#1
metalmind1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mooresville, NC Posts: 125 My Ride: 328ci View My Garage	Xenon headlights flickering:( I have xenon headlights and they are flickering. When they flicker it is both of them, not just one side so that leads me to look somewhere other than a ballast. It is like they turn off and back on in a blink of the eye. If anybody has any insight it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

04-19-2008, 07:37 PM	#2
GRIDLOCK Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: OC Posts: 2,280 My Ride: E36 / E46 View My Garage	Hmmm, maybe the LCM is going bad? __________________ Have an EVAP code? Replacing gas cap did not fix? Give me a holler, I can do a smoke test for ya.

04-19-2008, 08:11 PM	#4
GRIDLOCK Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: OC Posts: 2,280 My Ride: E36 / E46 View My Garage	LCM: Lighting Control Module __________________ Have an EVAP code? Replacing gas cap did not fix? Give me a holler, I can do a smoke test for ya.

05-03-2008, 01:16 PM	#7
GermnBlt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East Coast Posts: 304 My Ride: 323Ci View My Garage	mine flashes time to time, gets on my nerves. I dont have a bulb light flashing out though...I'm thinking ground, but figured i'd get around to it when I change my icv and oil.. __________________ So, how many pounds you push

06-21-2008, 10:54 PM	#16
BMW //MPOWER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,913 My Ride: 325Ci M Clubsport View My Garage	Flickering lights is a sign your transformer is on the fritz. I'd suggest getting it looked at, shouldn't cost much to replace. __________________ BMW 325Ci MY2004 Individual //M Clubsport Edition, //M Clubsport package, //M Sport 18"s, Manual //M Short Shift, Carbon Black, Black Aluminium Cube Interior.

04-19-2008, 08:09 PM	#3
metalmind1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mooresville, NC Posts: 125 My Ride: 328ci View My Garage	what does lcm stand for

05-02-2008, 12:21 PM	#5
sataraid Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Gallatin, TN Posts: 292 My Ride: 2001 BMW 330ci View My Garage	This is happening to me also. I am getting a rear passenger bulb out warning. I replaced all rear bulbs still getting bulb out and flickering. How many thousand is the LCM going to cost me??

05-03-2008, 01:03 PM	#6
sataraid Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Gallatin, TN Posts: 292 My Ride: 2001 BMW 330ci View My Garage	I finally fixed mine!! Cost??? Just a little time and some wire. Sorry no pictures. The basic problem bad ground. Were you getting a bulb out warning??

05-06-2008, 05:48 AM	#10
ssm1991 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 867 My Ride: 2004 325i View My Garage	For the taillight: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=512469

06-21-2008, 06:59 PM	#14
metalmind1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mooresville, NC Posts: 125 My Ride: 328ci View My Garage	I have since replaced both fron bulbs and my lights still flicker. I looked at my tail lamp housing and they are different than the ones that there is a fix mentioned for above. I have a 2000 and that fix is for 2001+. I examined the connectors and they showed no signs of corrosion or burnt connectors. I was hoping maybe someone eles with a pre-01 car might have had this problem and fixed it. Any insight is much appreciated.

06-22-2008, 12:07 AM	#17
Dan99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Omaha-Nebraska Posts: 3,044 My Ride: 2001 330xi View My Garage	I don't know how to fix it, but I know someone that had that same problem and he took it to the dealership and they got fixed for him for about $800

06-22-2008, 12:25 AM	#18
sillieidiot Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: the OC Posts: 43,390 My Ride: '06 AW 330ci View My Garage	it's most likely a ground issue somewhere on your car. probably take it to get diagnosed or something __________________ I like to reply to threads with 0 posts Have a lighting problem? Read this first: Lighting-related Troubleshooting Guide

06-22-2008, 10:24 AM	#20
naraM Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: US Posts: 1,568 My Ride: JDM View My Garage	yeah bad ground __________________ YEHMEN E46 m3 - RIP 06 STI - Sold E36 m3 - Current

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