Can I change bulb on projector lights?

kmalik20 · 12-21-2012, 01:00 AM

Hi, hope someone can help me in answering this. I have a 2004 325i. And one of the projector lights are brighter than the other. Reason for this was because the previous owner got in a accident with it. Am I able to purchase a pair of new bulbs and replace them or do I need new housing. And what are the steps
This is my first e46 and I am learning. Thanks

E46330iguy · 12-21-2012, 01:03 AM

Yes you can change them

HacksawMark · 12-21-2012, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E46330iguy

Yes you can change them

and it's incredibly easy!

kmalik20 · 12-21-2012, 01:15 AM

Any suggestions on what to look for when buying? I have a black e46

dwtaylorpdx · 12-21-2012, 01:18 AM

You can change the bulbs, you don't need to swap housing usually, the bulbs dim badly as they approach failure.

But I am wondering how the car color affects the issue?

Dave

peytonracer4 · 12-21-2012, 01:25 AM

Buy genuine Phillips bulbs in 4300k
There's a LOT of fakes out there. I recommend theretrofitsource.com for genuine Phillips bulbs.

kmalik20 · 12-21-2012, 01:29 AM

And what number bulb is it h1, h2? Etc

ImolaSix · 12-21-2012, 02:07 AM

They are D2S bulbs.

Megalocnus · 12-21-2012, 02:52 AM

Don't touch the bulbs by bare hand, they will not live long.
Wear clean gloves.

BimmersGarage · 12-21-2012, 08:09 AM

^
Good advice.
Heed the warning > Wear gloves.

Solidjake · 12-21-2012, 10:02 AM

FIRST step is to swap the bulbs around and see if the bulb that is "dim" moves to the other side. If it doesn't then you have a bad ballast.

+1 on TRS for Philips bulbs since they are genuine. See the retrofit link in my sig and the first post has a coupon code for free shipping. Also make sure your headlights are aimed properly.

HacksawMark · 12-21-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmalik20

And what number bulb is it h1, h2? Etc

Do you have Xenon or regular bulbs? The projector headlights can come with either one. If they are non-xenon, I believe the bulb would be H7 (at least that is what they are on mine. You can look it up the web to be sure. Photos of your headlight assembly under the hood would help.

eneka · 12-21-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hacksawmark

Do you have Xenon or regular bulbs? The projector headlights can come with either one. If they are non-xenon, I believe the bulb would be H7 (at least that is what they are on mine. You can look it up the web to be sure. Photos of your headlight assembly under the hood would help.

according to his profile he has a 325i so it's a sedan, the possibility of halogen projectors only applies to facelift coupes.

HacksawMark · 12-22-2012, 01:09 AM

I didn't know that. Learned something new today!

kmalik20 · 12-28-2012, 12:40 PM

HMmm. It looks that they are in fact projector headlights. And they are Xenons.
I am going to look under the hood and see what comes of this

12-21-2012, 01:00 AM	#1
kmalik20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 9 My Ride: Bmw 325i View My Garage	Can I change bulb on projector lights? Hi, hope someone can help me in answering this. I have a 2004 325i. And one of the projector lights are brighter than the other. Reason for this was because the previous owner got in a accident with it. Am I able to purchase a pair of new bulbs and replace them or do I need new housing. And what are the steps This is my first e46 and I am learning. Thanks

12-21-2012, 01:03 AM	#2
E46330iguy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada,SK Posts: 2,401 My Ride: Supercharged 330i View My Garage	Yes you can change them __________________ Winter Authority When Hell freezes over,we'll play Hockey there too you've Met a terrible fate haven't you ? KONI /Michelin/Stoptec/ Bimmerbrake / MTechII/AA Stage one (for now) Automatic--->5 speed swap/ UUC High performance clutch kit Questions about Header wrap? clickHere Supercharger build thread click Here

12-21-2012, 01:18 AM	#5
dwtaylorpdx Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: PDX Posts: 201 My Ride: 2005 330xi View My Garage	You can change the bulbs, you don't need to swap housing usually, the bulbs dim badly as they approach failure. But I am wondering how the car color affects the issue? Dave Last edited by dwtaylorpdx; 12-21-2012 at 01:18 AM.

12-21-2012, 01:25 AM	#6
peytonracer4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Valparaiso, IN Posts: 4,809 My Ride: '00 328i View My Garage	Buy genuine Phillips bulbs in 4300k There's a LOT of fakes out there. I recommend theretrofitsource.com for genuine Phillips bulbs. __________________ choose to click or forever hold your piece ;) http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...186&highlight=

12-21-2012, 02:07 AM	#8
ImolaSix Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 608 My Ride: '02 330Ci M-sport View My Garage	They are D2S bulbs. __________________

12-21-2012, 01:15 AM	#4
kmalik20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 9 My Ride: Bmw 325i View My Garage	Any suggestions on what to look for when buying? I have a black e46

12-21-2012, 01:29 AM	#7
kmalik20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 9 My Ride: Bmw 325i View My Garage	And what number bulb is it h1, h2? Etc

12-21-2012, 02:52 AM	#9
Megalocnus Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,446 My Ride: 09/98 323i ZSP/MT View My Garage	Don't touch the bulbs by bare hand, they will not live long. Wear clean gloves.

12-21-2012, 08:09 AM	#10
BimmersGarage Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas, TX (USA) Posts: 2,013 My Ride: E46 330i View My Garage	^ Good advice. Heed the warning > Wear gloves. __________________ DFW Bimmer Meet \| BMW Instrument Cluster Test \| DIY BMW Rad. Fan/Clutch Removal \| DIY BMW Serpentine Belt Release DIY Idler Pulley Removal \| DIY Mechanical Tensioner Pulley Removal

12-21-2012, 10:02 AM	#11
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 20,242 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	FIRST step is to swap the bulbs around and see if the bulb that is "dim" moves to the other side. If it doesn't then you have a bad ballast. +1 on TRS for Philips bulbs since they are genuine. See the retrofit link in my sig and the first post has a coupon code for free shipping. Also make sure your headlights are aimed properly. __________________ Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide My cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 - NYC to LA. Pics from post 505 on

12-22-2012, 01:09 AM	#14
HacksawMark Golf Nut Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 778 My Ride: 06 Quartz Blue 325Ci View My Garage	I didn't know that. Learned something new today!

12-28-2012, 12:40 PM	#15
kmalik20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 9 My Ride: Bmw 325i View My Garage	HMmm. It looks that they are in fact projector headlights. And they are Xenons. I am going to look under the hood and see what comes of this

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