Lights....... HELP!!!!!

[Russ&Russ]

2003 525iT
142K mi

Runs and drives amazing, over all in very good shape.

About 6 weeks ago during the cold snap, got in to drive after it had sat for a few days and the high beam indicator was illuminated on the cluster. Got out and looked and the brights were on, even though the lights were off at the switch. Initially, after driving for a while, the blue high beam indicator would turn off and everything would be normal. Shortly thereafter though, it just stayed in malfunction permanently.

(it does NOT have automatic lights that go on or off by sensor, just on/park/off on the switch)

When I pushed the turn signal stalk forward as though to turn on high beams, no change. When I pulled the stalk back as though to flash the brights they turned off.

When I turn the headlights on both low and high beams are on.

My short term solution was to unplug the brights and drive normally, but the car started turning the low beams on and off randomly while the car was parked and locked, no key in the ignition and switch in the off position. I was out of town and started getting calls about my haunted car.

Attempted solutions:

Swapped in a different light switch from another wagon that was working perfectly. No change

Swapped in a LKM from another car that was working perfectly. No change

Just installed a turn signal stalk/switch from another car known to be working perfectly, first with the entire clock spring and then just the stalk by itself. No change.

Question:

Could it be a problem with the headlights themselves? I think a previous owner may have swapped in angel eye system as an upgrade, unless these all came with that headlight system in 2003. It seems weird that both sides would malfunction simultaneously though.

Battery voltage tested and the battery is perfect. Also new so not a surprise.

Any thoughts or suggestions out there?

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Water in the passenger floor, junction box under the carpet is wet and corroding. Unbolt the front bolts of the passenger seat, loosen up the rears, tilt the seat backwards, lift up the carpet and check it. If so, the typical water through the vapor barrier on the door dilemma, or the sunroof drain being clogged up, which you would have noticed that the electronic boards on the LCM would have looked corroded and crusty when you swapped it out with the other one.

[Russ&Russ]

Thought about that, the connectors on the LCM are all pristine and the carpet is dry to the touch. I haven't pulled it up to look underneath though. I'll try that later today.
Are you suggesting bad grounds might be at fault?

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

No, I’m suggesting that it might be a pool of water under the carpet, and the main junction box from your battery is corroded and now, things are acting up.

[StephenVA]

+1 ^ that and a failing Light Module.....

[Russ&Russ]

Done, Bought used module, $160, had it coded to the car. $180, and now everything works.

[StephenVA]

Congrats! Thanks for the follow up post as it helps others with similar issues.