1990 535i BMW Headlight Problem

MYREDBEAMER · 04-06-2008, 08:31 PM

Help!!!

I had a dim headlight go out, so I replaced the bulb. It still didn't work, checked all fuses they were all good. A few days later, dim headlights were on, worked for about a couple of weeks, now they are off. Brights are fine, don't know where to start looking.

cardoc · 04-07-2008, 04:10 PM

My be a dimmer switch problem.A test light would be a good investment to ck for power at the light sockets.You could try repeatedly working the dimmer switch where can see the lights.You might get lucky and realize a bad connection in the switch.Could also be a bad ground.If the lights are auto dimming then it gets complcated.
Good luck, Cardoc

**qldit** · 04-07-2008, 06:50 PM

Good Morning MYREDBEAMER, I would suggest you access the rear of the headlights and disconnect the lamp sockets and carefully check them for corrosion and condition, then the lamp spades etc.
Spray the socket with suitable CRC spray and reassemble.

Be sure to examine the headlight earthing wire, this is usually one of the wires from the headlight plug and usually is earthed somewhere in that vicinity with a terminal to frame.
Check that earthing lug for condition and the screw that is used to secure it to the frame or car body is proper and tight.

Best of luck,

Cheers, qldit.

MYREDBEAMER · 04-08-2008, 08:17 PM

Thanks guys, that is where I'll start. I'll have to wait a couple of days to try it (giving rain for here and don't have a garage). Thank goodness for Daylight Savings time, it let's me get home from work before dark.

shawnalex · 06-18-2008, 01:02 PM

Hey MYREDBEAMER, did you ever figure out what the deal is with the headlight was? I have an 89 535i and one of my headlights is out and its not the bulb or the fuse, the only thing i can think of is the headlight control module because the wiring in between the fuse box and the light is still fine i've tested it and it still is a complete circuit. The Lamp Control Module is my only guess and it costs $358 from the BMW dealership.

04-06-2008, 08:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
MYREDBEAMER Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2 OS: vista	1990 535i BMW Headlight Problem Help!!! I had a dim headlight go out, so I replaced the bulb. It still didn't work, checked all fuses they were all good. A few days later, dim headlights were on, worked for about a couple of weeks, now they are off. Brights are fine, don't know where to start looking.

04-07-2008, 04:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ct. Posts: 198 OS: win xp sp2	Re: 1990 535i BMW Headlight Problem My be a dimmer switch problem.A test light would be a good investment to ck for power at the light sockets.You could try repeatedly working the dimmer switch where can see the lights.You might get lucky and realize a bad connection in the switch.Could also be a bad ground.If the lights are auto dimming then it gets complcated. Good luck, Cardoc

04-07-2008, 06:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 1990 535i BMW Headlight Problem Good Morning MYREDBEAMER, I would suggest you access the rear of the headlights and disconnect the lamp sockets and carefully check them for corrosion and condition, then the lamp spades etc. Spray the socket with suitable CRC spray and reassemble. Be sure to examine the headlight earthing wire, this is usually one of the wires from the headlight plug and usually is earthed somewhere in that vicinity with a terminal to frame. Check that earthing lug for condition and the screw that is used to secure it to the frame or car body is proper and tight. Best of luck, Cheers, qldit.

04-08-2008, 08:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
MYREDBEAMER Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2 OS: vista	Re: 1990 535i BMW Headlight Problem Thanks guys, that is where I'll start. I'll have to wait a couple of days to try it (giving rain for here and don't have a garage). Thank goodness for Daylight Savings time, it let's me get home from work before dark.

06-18-2008, 01:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
shawnalex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 OS: Windows XP	Re: 1990 535i BMW Headlight Problem Hey MYREDBEAMER, did you ever figure out what the deal is with the headlight was? I have an 89 535i and one of my headlights is out and its not the bulb or the fuse, the only thing i can think of is the headlight control module because the wiring in between the fuse box and the light is still fine i've tested it and it still is a complete circuit. The Lamp Control Module is my only guess and it costs $358 from the BMW dealership.