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Thread: E46 Bosch / AL bi-xenon poor light output

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    SC
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    330i

    E46 Bosch / AL bi-xenon poor light output

    I have purchased a set of Bosch / AL bi-xenon assemblies with the metal bowls to replace my burnt out ZKW bowls. I noticed the drivers side output is extremely weak so I replaced the bulb with a new oem D2S bulb but that did not solve the issue. Any suggestions as to what might cause poor light output from the Bosch projectors? These lights were supposed to solve my poor light output issue 😭

    98111568-4B4B-41E5-B8CA-CD4D815FF204.jpg6CEE292F-761B-4AD4-A299-04E41BFCEF62.jpg
    Last edited by rlpcam; 09-13-2021 at 05:37 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    330i
    Reading further into this I'm seeing it could be a failing ballast which would cause poor light output. I guess my question is, are these Bosch / AL projectors prone to any common failures (similar to the ZKWs) which I should be aware of before I go and swap the ballasts?

    (forgot to mention, the lenses have been sanded down and are crystal clear)
    Last edited by rlpcam; 09-13-2021 at 06:22 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Peoria, AZ
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    I've never seen ballasts fail this way to be honest, but I have plenty of spares for facelift AL assemblies, PM me if you want to borrow for testing. You can also swap ballasts left to right and see if the issue follows.
    Last edited by Mless5; 10-10-2021 at 11:00 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    SC
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    330i
    Thanks for that Mless. I believe the issue is a burnt out bowl, as is common with the zkw's. Mine being Bosch/AL I figured they would not have this, issue but apparently it can happen after some time.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    7,696
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    Chrome coating does deteriorate over time and gets cloudy/milky indeed.

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