Now that it's getting dark earlier, I have been using my headlights more. I am now tired of their issues, and I need to fix them.
1. Ever since I have owned my e31, the high beams (the only lights I didn't test before I bought it) have not worked. Both fuses in the front have been checked. Both bulbs have been checked. The lows and fogs work fine even though the wiring looks like crap, and when i pull/push the stalk, the dash indicator works just fine. Also, when I flash the lights (headlights off) the bumper flashers work fine, so I know its not a switch issue.
2. The much-discussed headlight adjuster problem... Mine are missing the knobs. Dealerships say they have never heard of the recall/repair kit, and the only one that acknowledged the TSB said they couldn't get the parts. I was looking for some ways of just fixing it myself without going to euro lights or doing an entire bucket replacement.
Please help me E31 guys... Thanks!
EDIT for those who want to know: Re-seating the relay K46 did not work, but replacing it did! Thanks guys...
Last edited by olinjohnston; 11-18-2009 at 09:20 PM.
Talk to wuffer. He has some aftermarket made adjuster parts.
95 840Ci, Calypso Red/Silver, 83k - 99 740i, Black/Black, 185k, Alpina Mods - 01 740i, Titanium/Silver, 40k, Sport Pkg
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Check relay K46, per ETM. If that's OK, it's your LKM.
How come the middle half of any project always takes the most time?
I tried to operate the high beams and I could not feel any kind of "click" in the relay. It's probably bad.
Last edited by olinjohnston; 11-14-2009 at 05:50 PM.
I fixed my "no brights" by re-seating the relay. I have had several problems caused by poor contact that were fixed by re-seating relays and fuses.
My 840 spent its life on the West Coast-mostly in southern California so it is probably just normal oxidation creeping under the contact surface.
Terry
'95 840Ci Arctic Silver
'98 740i Arctic Silver
'98 SVT Cobra Mustang Convertible
www.wuffer.net
www.8coupe.com
www.8er.org
Good suggestion. You can also open the relay and test or clean it. That one is a double, also does the FTP lights.
How come the middle half of any project always takes the most time?
My high beam relay for the FTP highs had a cold solder joint internally and didn't work. Pulled it apart, fixed up with fresh solder, installed, and voila! Flash to pass!
(San Diego car all its life as well)
2.8 Z3 coupe + 6 speed || 200kW electric 1970 Jaguar XJ6
I ended up going to the dealership and just ordering one.
Download the 1991 ETM from here: http://www.wuffer.net/bc8s/index.php...d=55&Itemid=60
then go to page 17. Time for you to learn, Grasshopper!
91 850 (Panzer), 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman (WifeMobile) www.wuffer.ca
just want to say thanks to wuffer for the link to the fuse box picture... I've just got my 840 and been struggling to figure out why the full beams weren't working.. A quick check of the relay showed the previous owner had the relay in the wrong place.. So thanks ..
would like to say thanks for the service manuals and the electrical diagrams.
highbeams hadnt worked in who knows how long and all it took was a pop of the relay cover to find no less than 3 cold solder joints.
hot iron to reflow the joints with some fresh solder and all is well.
I know I'm dragging up an old thread, but I am having the same issue with my 8. I swapped the relays (flasher with highbeam) and the highbeams still don't work. I'm getting power to the fuses and relays, but none at the headlight end. Suggestions?
Thanks,
smc850ci
Oxford Green Metallic, Parchment leather, 854 badge, EDC stock struts, M-Sport springs, 3.91 LSD, CSI rear sway, 18" M-Pars, M-Sport wheel w/flappy paddles, CD-43 head unit, Strong Strut brace, Euro FTPs, CSI rear defuser
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'70 2002
'92 525it e34 - Touring
'97 530i e39
'06 325xi e91 - Touring
The headlight wiring insulation on our cars is notorious for failure. A short could explain your symptoms.
Brett
Yes, I agree that the harness is shot. But I tested, and I'm not getting any power to the big round connector. Well, I'm getting power to one post in there. There are 4 posts in the connector. I think the connectors are X135 & X284 on the right hand side.
Oxford Green Metallic, Parchment leather, 854 badge, EDC stock struts, M-Sport springs, 3.91 LSD, CSI rear sway, 18" M-Pars, M-Sport wheel w/flappy paddles, CD-43 head unit, Strong Strut brace, Euro FTPs, CSI rear defuser
Previous -
'70 2002
'92 525it e34 - Touring
'97 530i e39
'06 325xi e91 - Touring
Olin, if you're also going to refurbish your wiring, I have one of Max Lumens' wiring kits that I never used.
It's yours for the cost of postage, if you want it.
Current:
1994 E31 850CSi Sterlingsilber/Anthracite Buffalo
Previous:
1987 E28 M5 Delphin
1986 E23 M745iA Arctic Blue
1986 E24 635CSi Polaris
1976 E3 3.0 Si Arctic Blue
I’ll take it off your hands if you don’t want it, mine are pretty shot.
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