Low Beam Error Fix [Archive] - Bimmerforums

tonyroc14

10-12-2008, 05:16 PM

Im pretty excited about this. It was really easy. I got the idea from Russelc. Thanks.

Anyways, all i did was turn the lights on, then start the car. No fogs. I did this ten times, and all ten times the code didnt show, i also did it ten times while turning the lights on after the car is on, ten codes. Also, once you have the HID's on without a code, you can turn them off, and turn them back on later without a code. Im pretty confident this is the fix. While it really isnt a fix, but a quick way to get rid of the code, it works, and requires no effort.

zener

10-12-2008, 05:30 PM

Yes, it works. Since in here Finland we have to use low beams all the time I modified the wiring behind light switch so they are always on and no "low beam" message occur.

Vigoras

10-12-2008, 06:22 PM

problem is your pulsating power through the ballast on startup. HORRIBLE fix. Your gonna burn those ballasts up quick. Thats a guarantee.

Russellc

10-12-2008, 07:49 PM

IMO, I agree this is not really a fix. I just had an observation. Even so, I am not so sure it is an issue. I need to understand more. Any additional thoughts about the potential damage?

525fourthew1n

10-12-2008, 07:59 PM

Maybe try a different HID ballast? You really should just buy a new one, since both my kits don't throw the error.

Or try and get a different LKM.

If I remember correctly there are two different LKMs - one will check the bulbs when you start the car, the other will just give an error if no current flows AFTER they're turned on. That's the one you want.

MacR

10-12-2008, 08:14 PM

Youch! Sounds like an awful lot of abuse on those ballasts going on. This fix will end with needing a new one. No prob with your lifetime warranty though, right?

Russellc

10-12-2008, 08:20 PM

Why is this "fix" damage or destroy the ballasts? I want to avoid a problem and fix the issue correctly.

russiankid

10-12-2008, 10:02 PM

My brother and I thought of putting in a relay with a resistor. Since the OBC test the lights when starting up, if you have a resistor on a relay the OBC will think the bulbs aren't burnt out. Once you turn the lights on, the relay clicks on and you have HID's.

upallnight

10-12-2008, 11:26 PM

Do a search the fix has already been posted on the net with the relay fix.

tonyroc14

10-13-2008, 01:52 AM

problem is your pulsating power through the ballast on startup. HORRIBLE fix. Your gonna burn those ballasts up quick. Thats a guarantee.
oh, guess i wont be doing this then.

IMO, I agree this is not really a fix. I just had an observation. Even so, I am not so sure it is an issue. I need to understand more. Any additional thoughts about the potential damage?+1

Maybe try a different HID ballast? You really should just buy a new one, since both my kits don't throw the error.

Or try and get a different LKM.

If I remember correctly there are two different LKMs - one will check the bulbs when you start the car, the other will just give an error if no current flows AFTER they're turned on. That's the one you want.
yea, but i believe they are vehical specific. Plus i cant afford the expensive ones anyways.

Youch! Sounds like an awful lot of abuse on those ballasts going on. This fix will end with needing a new one. No prob with your lifetime warranty though, right?
No, I dont want them to burn out on me.

Why is this "fix" damage or destroy the ballasts? I want to avoid a problem and fix the issue correctly.
The way i saw it, wiring in resistors and stuff like that wasn't really a fix. It seemed like a jerry rigged way of doing it. Then again so is this. What i want is for the LKM to do away with checking all together...

My brother and I thought of putting in a relay with a resistor. Since the OBC test the lights when starting up, if you have a resistor on a relay the OBC will think the bulbs aren't burnt out. Once you turn the lights on, the relay clicks on and you have HID's.
thats the current "fix"

Do a search the fix has already been posted on the net with the relay fix.
no shit, reading comprehension my friend

zener

10-13-2008, 04:00 AM

problem is your pulsating power through the ballast on startup. HORRIBLE fix. Your gonna burn those ballasts up quick. Thats a guarantee.

How quick? I've been using the same ballasts for about 3 years with no problems.

And since a lot of EU E34's had the "lights always on" feature from factory.

Russellc

10-13-2008, 06:44 AM

Bit OT-I have heard of the resistor fix, However I have never seen a complete write up, even after doing several searches on this and other forums. Found several references to the resistor fix just not details on size of resistor etc. or where and how to wire in. That said, I just may be missing it with wrong search criteria.

5mall5nail5

10-13-2008, 07:02 AM

Yeah that works but sometimes you dont want your lights on lol

Vigoras

10-13-2008, 08:02 AM

How quick? I've been using the same ballasts for about 3 years with no problems.

And since a lot of EU E34's had the "lights always on" feature from factory.

Because you have the auto lights it doesnt pulsate the power. Yours should cut power till the starter stops.

Gazman

10-13-2008, 08:48 AM

Didnt binjammin do a write up on this fix? with detailed pics? did that hack not work?

jessejames

10-13-2008, 08:55 AM

no need to hack it if you buy the proper ballasts in the first place :rolleyes

Russellc

10-13-2008, 09:20 AM

no need to hack it if you buy the proper ballasts in the first place :rolleyes

What makes one ballast better than another so as to avoid the low beam error. Are there any brands/suppliers you recommend? I just do not see any way for a consumer to easily tell. Thanks

5mall5nail5

10-13-2008, 09:26 AM

no need to hack it if you buy the proper ballasts in the first place :rolleyes

No such thing as a "proper" ballast.

I have genuine Phillips ballasts that retailed over $600 for the two, and they give a low beam error.

Russellc

10-13-2008, 09:27 AM

Because you have the auto lights it doesnt pulsate the power. Yours should cut power till the starter stops.

You seem to have considerable knowledge of BMw electical systems. Do you have a solution(s) more elegant than what has been suggested?

BTW, I see several web offers for fixes ranging from a $19 resistor fix to a $139.00 error eliminator made by Hella. ddm also offers a $40 plug and play device which looks similar to the Hella. TIA

zener

10-13-2008, 09:45 AM

Because you have the auto lights it doesnt pulsate the power. Yours should cut power till the starter stops.

It's not factory auto lights, but yes it should do that.

5mall5nail5

10-13-2008, 09:58 AM

Stir Fry A Lot

10-13-2008, 10:21 AM

9005's ftw. i'll ask my friend at work what ballast he went with. he siad he chose it since it was suppoed to be one that doesn't throw the code. to my knowledge it hasn't either.

5mall5nail5

10-13-2008, 10:29 AM

I have ballasts that "aren't supposed to throw codes" too - they do it about 30 - 50% of the time.

tonyroc14

10-13-2008, 02:31 PM

Its not pulsing power lol

The battery is 12v and drops to about 10v during cranking. Most of the ballasts have a 7 - 9v low voltage cut off and they don't care if the the current pulses or not, as they have a regulating circuit in them. Your voltage is ALWAYS "pulsing".
so your saying it wont hurt them. And since your like my idol im going to believe you.

and technically what i bought from ddm isn't supposed to throw a code.

5mall5nail5

10-13-2008, 02:39 PM

nah dude it wont hurt - they wont fire if theres not enough voltage and if voltage drops, they turn off. No big deal. Just dont go flicking them on and off real quick.

If the parts you got from DDM dont work I think they said they'd return them.

tonyroc14

10-13-2008, 02:41 PM