[B]Xenon Projector Problem HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/B]

I need help my driver side (left) xenon headlights with the adaptive feature constantly shuts off when I am driving on the road.

This has started recently when the weather got cold ( i dont know if that has anything to do with it).

I would use the headlight switich and play with it until the headlight would come on.

I think i know the would be the ballast but I do not want to buy a used one online or even a new one at the BMW dealership due to low funds.

I was hoping someone knows of a DIY method to deassembling the ballast to clean or rectify the problem or cleanning the headlight unit all together.

Maybe there is a MacGyver trick to keep the lights steady on the road without cutting off.

I just hate driving a nice BMW on the road with one eye open. Please help E46 fanatics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it's pretty self explanatory. just look at it with your eyes. four bolts hold the headlight to the car then just unplug everything. remove the corner light and lower trim piece first. (if the coupes have those--i forget)

I have the facelift model...what do i do now?

Originally Posted by illdaniel

I have the facelift model...what do i do now?

idk

Sounds like ballast.
Swap the ballast from side to side. If it goes out on the other side it's a faulty ballast more than likely.
Be careful when messing around with the ballasts. The xenons are extremely high voltage.
the only trick I know is if its gotten wet inside and needs to dry out, just like a cell phone you put it in a bag of rice to absorb moisture out.

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

Sounds like ballast.
Swap the ballast from side to side. If it goes out on the other side it's a faulty ballast more than likely.
Be careful when messing around with the ballasts. The xenons are extremely high voltage.
the only trick I know is if its gotten wet inside and needs to dry out, just like a cell phone you put it in a bag of rice to absorb moisture out.

Thank you...Does anyone know how to put rings in the light (maybe a DIY)? Or I should not even bother with them?

Originally Posted by illdaniel

Thank you...Does anyone know how to put rings in the light (maybe a DIY)? Or I should not even bother with them?

don't bother

Originally Posted by E46Mango

don't bother

Thanks I just called Stealth Auto and LAV motorsports. They said I should not waste my time and money. I am kind of bummed out because the Angel Rings really sets your car apart from others.

Originally Posted by illdaniel

Thank you...Does anyone know how to put rings in the light (maybe a DIY)? Or I should not even bother with them?

there are several of the Sponsors that sell the Angle Eyes for the facelift headlamps. it takes more work to do in on these than non-facelift. most of the sponsors have instructions for opening the sealed units and baking back closed. there are some DIYs posted.
it's up to you if it's worth it. some love them giving the newer look of recent/current bmws and some think they look cheap depending on brand, style and color hurting the looks of the E46.

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

Sounds like ballast.
Swap the ballast from side to side. If it goes out on the other side it's a faulty ballast more than likely.
Be careful when messing around with the ballasts. The xenons are extremely high voltage.
the only trick I know is if its gotten wet inside and needs to dry out, just like a cell phone you put it in a bag of rice to absorb moisture out.

So I swapped out the ballasts and the same driver side healights went out. We can now rule out that it is the ballast that is causing the problem. What else could be the problem? What do I do now?

could be a bulb, or the ignitor

since you had a facelift coupe. this would have been easy to diagnose. you can swap the bulbs and ignitors faster than it takes to swap the ballast. since the ignitors are located on the back of the bulbs. diy for angels in my sig i think.

Originally Posted by sillieidiot

since you had a facelift coupe. this would have been easy to diagnose. you can swap the bulbs and ignitors faster than it takes to swap the ballast. since the ignitors are located on the back of the bulbs. diy for angels in my sig i think.

Took both the ignitor and bulb out and saw this... they were both burnt to a crisp. Do I replace both components or just the bulb? What is the best quality DS2 bulb out there? And how do I prevent this in the future?

yea i would replace both components. for d2s bulbs, go with an OEM brand like osrams or philips.

i would check around the headlight (as much as you could see) of any other possible damage.