hid upgrade question
- Thread starter bmw4life13
- Start date
bmw4life13
i posted back to you about this in my post about my new pics. There isn't really anything you can do about it except ignore it, or cut the wire to the obc check control for the low beam failure. I am not sure which wire it is, but I do know that it is underneth the fuse box under the bonnet of the car. You have to completly unbolt the fuse box just to get to the wires. I know this cuz I remember seeing a post about this a long time ago and a guy and a step by step w/ pictures of how to disable the low beam check feature. So ask around, I am sure someone can help you out mate. Well good luck leme know if you have any other questions
i posted back to you about this in my post about my new pics. There isn't really anything you can do about it except ignore it, or cut the wire to the obc check control for the low beam failure. I am not sure which wire it is, but I do know that it is underneth the fuse box under the bonnet of the car. You have to completly unbolt the fuse box just to get to the wires. I know this cuz I remember seeing a post about this a long time ago and a guy and a step by step w/ pictures of how to disable the low beam check feature. So ask around, I am sure someone can help you out mate. Well good luck leme know if you have any other questions
bmw4life13,
I would not recommend cutting any wires unless absolutely necessary. The problem the you are experiencing is the exact same thing that many 5-series owners experience when they upgrade to Xenon lighting from factory halogen systems. The problem can be solved simply installing a cold-scan module. Hella makes them. They run about $170/pr. It's a bit high in price, but you'll still be able to find out if your low beam is working or not.
I would not recommend cutting any wires unless absolutely necessary. The problem the you are experiencing is the exact same thing that many 5-series owners experience when they upgrade to Xenon lighting from factory halogen systems. The problem can be solved simply installing a cold-scan module. Hella makes them. They run about $170/pr. It's a bit high in price, but you'll still be able to find out if your low beam is working or not.
what's a cold scan module? did you mean a code scanner? i'm not sure how that would help. the obc displays the low beam failure because xenon bulbs do not have filaments like halogens. as a result xenons provide a much lower resistance than halogens causing the obc to think the low beam halogen is burned out.
i came across this link but the directions appear unclear. which wires does one cut? and where does one rewire these ends? what do you guys think?
http://www.geocities.com/acetone11/Pages/xenons.htm
http://www.geocities.com/acetone11/Pages/xenons.htm
just find the two fuses for the headlights, one side will have wire(s) that run to the headlight relay, the other, are the two wires that run through the OBC and then to the lights.
he says to cut those two wires, taping up the ends that go to the OBC, and running new wire to the headlights.
this sounds great, but it seems to me that the obc would be looking for a signal for the test to complete, thus creating a constant error. if its true to as plain and simple as to how he wrote it, then you shouldnt have any trouble, but i would look for those other instructions like he mentioned.
GL
he says to cut those two wires, taping up the ends that go to the OBC, and running new wire to the headlights.
this sounds great, but it seems to me that the obc would be looking for a signal for the test to complete, thus creating a constant error. if its true to as plain and simple as to how he wrote it, then you shouldnt have any trouble, but i would look for those other instructions like he mentioned.
GL
I've also read somewhere that you have to cut the wires and/or bypass the obc.it wasn't worth the hassle imo.tho when i had a kit with 1pc ballasts(hella,philips),i've never had a problem with the low beam failure message.it only happened when i switched over to a 2pc ballast design that i started to have this problem as well.and it actually only says it after i turn the lights off.
i find it very interesting that i hear so many different things when it comes to the low beam failure message. flyingh your description is a perfect example. my obc error message comes on only when i turn on the low beam lights. i've also heard other people saying that the obc message only comes on when they use a 1 piece ballast and not the 2 piece ballast. very strange!!!!
well, be it one piece or two, you should understand that an error will show is the check system does not read a correct signal on the loaded line. (this should be an obvious statement)
so the way to fix it is to ignore the obc or trick it. when your lights are on, the obc checks the current. so you can optionaly bypass the pbc with cliping the wires and running new ones, or add components to trick the system.
i could tell you exactly what to do if i had comparable readings from both setups, regular lamps and HID lamps. disconnect the plug, connect wires to respectable ends and connect a VM in series with the load line and give me the reading.
with this info, you will add a component of some sort, to give the obc a correct reading.
so the way to fix it is to ignore the obc or trick it. when your lights are on, the obc checks the current. so you can optionaly bypass the pbc with cliping the wires and running new ones, or add components to trick the system.
i could tell you exactly what to do if i had comparable readings from both setups, regular lamps and HID lamps. disconnect the plug, connect wires to respectable ends and connect a VM in series with the load line and give me the reading.
with this info, you will add a component of some sort, to give the obc a correct reading.
got the replacement headlamp installed today and i'm very pleased. i still have the low beam failure message and my mechanic refused to cut into the relay. he said i risked compromising the electrical system on the car. apparently there might be networking of the relays (ie. other signals might pass through the same relay). he then continued to say that adding resistors wouldn't solve the problem because of the wiring changes caused by the aftermarket lights. i'm not too sure if i buy into that. overall i'm very happy with the improved lighting and appearance of it. i guess the obc message is a small price to pay for upgrading to hid lights. i will try and post pics as soon as possible. thanks for everyone's input.
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