[ramez75]

Hi,

There is a lot of threads out there regarding the 8S4 and 5AP. I am trying to understand what I can achieve through coding. So I have a 2015 640iX GC US Spec with July 2014 production date. I do have among other options the following 5AC, 5AS, 5DL, 552, 8TH, 8S4.

So first question I have the 8S4 (because it is a US Spec car and due to the US DOT regulation) which from what I read disable the VLD (Variable light distribution) all I need to do is remove it and VO code FRM module. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Also do I have hardware limitation or this is just strictly coding and I am off to have the VLD feature.

Second question I do not have 5AP as an option, what does it mean can I have the anti-dazzle option? but I read that I don't have the European lights so definitely seems like it is a hardware limitation. Or do I do some FDL coding and I should have that feature. So if someone buys the Euro spec headlights and I swap the US spec headlight is that all or there are also modules that need to be replaced or added. I mean are they direct fitment or its more complicated

Can anyone give me insight and clarification on this matter

Thank you

RB

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by ramez75

Hi,

There is a lot of threads out there regarding the 8S4 and 5AP. I am trying to understand what I can achieve through coding. So I have a 2015 640iX GC US Spec with July 2014 production date. I do have among other options the following 5AC, 5AS, 5DL, 552, 8TH, 8S4.

So first question I have the 8S4 (because it is a US Spec car and due to the US DOT regulation) which from what I read disable the VLD (Variable light distribution) all I need to do is remove it and VO code FRM module. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Also do I have hardware limitation or this is just strictly coding and I am off to have the VLD feature.

Second question I do not have 5AP as an option, what does it mean can I have the anti-dazzle option? but I read that I don't have the European lights so definitely seems like it is a hardware limitation. Or do I do some FDL coding and I should have that feature. So if someone buys the Euro spec headlights and I swap the US spec headlight is that all or there are also modules that need to be replaced or added. I mean are they direct fitment or its more complicated

Can anyone give me insight and clarification on this matter

Thank you

RB

Make that two of us; same exact question only my car is a '15 F30

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by ramez75

Hi,

There is a lot of threads out there regarding the 8S4 and 5AP. I am trying to understand what I can achieve through coding. So I have a 2015 640iX GC US Spec with July 2014 production date. I do have among other options the following 5AC, 5AS, 5DL, 552, 8TH, 8S4.

So first question I have the 8S4 (because it is a US Spec car and due to the US DOT regulation) which from what I read disable the VLD (Variable light distribution) all I need to do is remove it and VO code FRM module. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Also do I have hardware limitation or this is just strictly coding and I am off to have the VLD feature.

Second question I do not have 5AP as an option, what does it mean can I have the anti-dazzle option? but I read that I don't have the European lights so definitely seems like it is a hardware limitation. Or do I do some FDL coding and I should have that feature. So if someone buys the Euro spec headlights and I swap the US spec headlight is that all or there are also modules that need to be replaced or added. I mean are they direct fitment or its more complicated

Can anyone give me insight and clarification on this matter

Thank you

RB

Originally Posted by jeffc83

Make that two of us; same exact question only my car is a '15 F30

If your USA car came with Xenons (522) Adaptive Headlights (524) and High Beam Assistant (5AC),you will need to purchase and install new hardware (headlight assembly from Europe) AND remove 5AP and/or 8S4 from your VO and recode the car.

If you do not have 524 and 5AC, it will not work unless both those are retrofitted.

If you remove 5AP and /or 8S4 and recode without replacing headlight assembly, VLD will attempt to work without the proper pieces in place, so you will end up blinding the other drivers.

[ramez75]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

If your USA car came with Xenons (522) Adaptive Headlights (524) and High Beam Assistant (5AC),you will need to purchase and install new hardware (headlight assembly from Europe) AND remove 5AP and/or 8S4 from your VO and recode the car.

If you do not have 524 and 5AC, it will not work unless both those are retrofitted.

If you remove 5AP and /or 8S4 and recode without replacing headlight assembly, VLD will attempt to work without the proper pieces in place, so you will end up blinding the other drivers.

I have 552 and 5AS so if I remove 8S4 which is all I have I will not get the VLD feature because I need euro spec headlights. Whatever I read in other threads about 8S4 is not true.....even 8S4 is limited because of hardware

[jeffc83]

@kabrich Thanks for the info; you made sense of it all for me in just one post! I will need new hardware then. (not sure why it won't tag you)

[CruzM3]

You can enable VLD but not anti-dazzle. For anti-dazzle/glare you will need new hardware.

[kobluna]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

Sorry, I was banned for a while for calling out a scammer in the Classifieds who apparently had friends higher up and had forgotten about this thread until this weekend.

Yes. I had same experience. The right (drivers side when facing front) had a mark or 2 on the housing interior as well as a yellow side bulb like yours.

The left (passenger side when facing front) had no markings and no bulb.

I did not that the left (with no markings and no bulb) came in a sealed plastic bag where the right (markings and bulb) did not. Thus I would assume that has something to do with it.

Regardless, the both work great with no issues when coded for Ant-Dazzle. I did not have a chance to use uncoded.

My thanks to roxxor and Lancelot for their input on this project.

Thanks for the info. I too haven't been here for a while.

I just got my car serviced (just regular oil change) at the dealer and I asked them to check if new lights are aligned correctly. I tried to align them against carage door but obviously that is not very scientific method to do it. I have my doubts because they doesn't seem to work too well on oncoming traffic. Indeed, they were misaligned both vertically and horizontally.

Just wen't for a test drive and now they are working much better! So I would recommend anyone who does this retrofit to check that your lights are aligned correctly. Should come without saying but anyway.

[ramez75]

OK so I took off 8S4 from the VO and recoded the FRM module. So how do I know if I have VLD what check I can do to see the feature.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by ramez75

OK so I took off 8S4 from the VO and recoded the FRM module. So how do I know if I have VLD what check I can do to see the feature.

See post #226 which was directed at you

You are now just blinding other drivers.

[ramez75]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

See post #226 which spelled it out for you.

You are now just blinding other drivers.

Adaptive LED headlights 552

[CruzM3]

Originally Posted by ramez75

Adaptive LED headlights 552

Your not blinding other drivers if you just code VLD. You just can't code ant-glare/dazzle without blinding others. I have VLD coded also with no issue of blinding others.

Variable Light Distribution has several different modes of operation (for Low Beam):

1 - City Light: Shallow and Very Wide Beam Pattern active from 0 - 50kph (30MPH) (Both Headlamps are Panned outwards 12 horizontal from center and 0.7 lowered vertically)

2 - Standard Light: Same Basic Beam Pattern as with 8S4 Enabled and Headlamp Switch Set to Auto. Active from 50 - 110kph (30MPH - 68MPH)

3 - Guiding Fog Light - Shallow and Wider Beam Pattern Enabled with the Front Fog Lamps On and Headlamp Switch in Auto and Speed 0 - 110kph (Both headlamps are panned outwards 8 horizontal from center and lowered 0.7 vertically)

4 - Highway Light - Long Throw Pattern illuminating approx. 25% further than Standard Light. Active from 110 to 250kph (68MPH- 155MHP). (Driver's Side Headlamp is panned 3.5 outwards Horizontal from center and lowered 0.25 vertically, while the passenger side headlamp is raised 0.2 vertical) (thank you @shawnsheridan)

Clarification of VLD, HBA, and Anti-Glare/Anti-Dazzle (thank you @skalberti):

VLD is Variable Light Distribution - It only works on your low beams to move your headlights and position the beams on the road depending on steering angle and vehicle speed.

HBA is High Beam Assistant - USA spec high beams that turn off in the presence of headlights or taillights of other cars and automatically turns the high beams on if no other cars are present.

Anti-Glare, Anti-Dazzle - European spec high beams that enable your car to keep the high beams on without blinding other cars.

[ramez75]

So there is no hardware limitation for enabbing VLD once I took off 8S4 I pretty much have what you described. Not for anti glare there is hardware limitation.....to get the true function I will need a European spec headlights.

Originally Posted by Cruz28/40

Your not blinding other drivers if you just code VLD. You just can't code ant-glare/dazzle without blinding others. I have VLD coded also with no issue of blinding others.

Variable Light Distribution has several different modes of operation (for Low Beam):

1 - City Light: Shallow and Very Wide Beam Pattern active from 0 - 50kph (30MPH) (Both Headlamps are Panned outwards 12 horizontal from center and 0.7 lowered vertically)

2 - Standard Light: Same Basic Beam Pattern as with 8S4 Enabled and Headlamp Switch Set to Auto. Active from 50 - 110kph (30MPH - 68MPH)

3 - Guiding Fog Light - Shallow and Wider Beam Pattern Enabled with the Front Fog Lamps On and Headlamp Switch in Auto and Speed 0 - 110kph (Both headlamps are panned outwards 8 horizontal from center and lowered 0.7 vertically)

4 - Highway Light - Long Throw Pattern illuminating approx. 25% further than Standard Light. Active from 110 to 250kph (68MPH- 155MHP). (Driver's Side Headlamp is panned 3.5 outwards Horizontal from center and lowered 0.25 vertically, while the passenger side headlamp is raised 0.2 vertical) (thank you @shawnsheridan)

Clarification of VLD, HBA, and Anti-Glare/Anti-Dazzle (thank you @skalberti):

VLD is Variable Light Distribution - It only works on your low beams to move your headlights and position the beams on the road depending on steering angle and vehicle speed.

HBA is High Beam Assistant - USA spec high beams that turn off in the presence of headlights or taillights of other cars and automatically turns the high beams on if no other cars are present.

Anti-Glare, Anti-Dazzle - European spec high beams that enable your car to keep the high beams on without blinding other cars.

[CruzM3]

Originally Posted by ramez75

So there is no hardware limitation for enabbing VLD once I took off 8S4 I pretty much have what you described. Not for anti glare there is hardware limitation.....to get the true function I will need a European spec headlights.

Yep...pretty much.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by ramez75

So there is no hardware limitation for enabbing VLD once I took off 8S4 I pretty much have what you described. Not for anti glare there is hardware limitation.....to get the true function I will need a European spec headlights.

Pre-LCI 6-series do have a hardware limitation, even if 8S4 is present in FA.

[ramez75]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Pre-LCI 6-series do have a hardware limitation, even if 8S4 is present in FA.

bummer

I looked at the headlight part numbers on www.realoem.com and indeed the European headlight has a different part number than a US one.

I still took of 8S4 anyway and VO coded FRM. Maybe if one day I find a European headlight I can swap

[jkwhar]

I just finished the HBA retrofit using EDM dynamic xenon headlights (I actually started this last year but just got the cluster switch).

Whats the difference between highway mode vs non highway mode? I change the C_HBA_ENA lo and high speed to something lower and it works, HB on or off. Does the highway mode start the tunneling?

Thanks!

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by Cruz28/40

Your not blinding other drivers if you just code VLD. You just can't code ant-glare/dazzle without blinding others. I have VLD coded also with no issue of blinding others.

Is there any specific way to tell if VLD is working after you code it in?
(I have a 2er with adaptive xenons)

[ktula]

Originally Posted by andrewc89

Is there any specific way to tell if VLD is working after you code it in?
(I have a 2er with adaptive xenons)

At around 33 MPH, the headlight beam pattern will narrow. When your speed drops below 24 MPH (if I remember correctly), the beam pattern will widen. It's easier to see this when it's dark and when the road surface is dry.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by ktula

At around 33 MPH, the headlight beam pattern will narrow. When your speed drops below 24 MPH (if I remember correctly), the beam pattern will widen. It's easier to see this when it's dark and when the road surface is dry.

No quick way to check in the garage though? I just want to make sure the coding was successful.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by andrewc89

No quick way to check in the garage though? I just want to make sure the coding was successful.

Do your headlamps initially move when you turn on at night?

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Do your headlamps initially move when you turn on at night?

Yeah, when I press the start stop button i can see the beams move up a bit. Can't really tell if there's any side to side movement.

[ktula]

Originally Posted by andrewc89

Yeah, when I press the start stop button i can see the beams move up a bit. Can't really tell if there's any side to side movement.

I have mine configured for so long so I can't even remember how it used to react before enabling VLD. If you have fog lamp, with VLD enabled, I believe turn on/off the fog lamps will cause the headlights to move from side to side.