[roastbeef]

my girlfriend's e90 LCI 335d with adaptive headlights is having a problem with the passenger side headlight not being adaptive, and aiming at the ground. it moves from side to side, but not up and down. it can not be adjusted using the leveling screw, it does nothing.

looking at the classifieds, i see a ton of headlights for sale/sold. i'm thinking this is a common thing.
any way to take the headlights apart just to straighten it out?

[VXEric]

mine was like that when i first bought it. I took it back to the dealership and asked them to adjust the aim since both sides were aimed down and they told me that they were adjusted for safety inspection. I tried to change it myself and discovered the adjuster didn't work.

anyway. I took the headlight out and where the projector connects to the adjuster screw had popped loose. Not broken, just came out of the socket. It took me probably 15 minutes or so to get it popped back into place, but ever since it has worked flawlessly. Maybe a 1 hour project total including removing the front bumper.

[roastbeef]

I looked for a DIY for taking apart the headlight. If I remember correctly, I think the non-M headlights don't need to be baked to be taken apart.
Do you know of a DIY for this? In not, any tips for taking the headlights apart?

[sirdaft1]

E90 LCI Xenons are a nightmare to open. I received this PM from fellow member Tomz_M3 who used to customize these headlights without absolutely destroying them a while back...

"You can try soaking the seam in acetone to weaken the bond, overnight. Then put aluminum for oil throughout the bottom of your stove to cover the rack. Then put two ceramic plates on a cooking sheet on top of that. Then heat the oven to 320° and set the light inside. Leave it in there for six minutes and then start prying. I usually cut a small piece of the seam out on the bottomof the headlight since water cannot get in through there. That is where I start prying. Once it cools off, repeat the process."

[roastbeef]

damn, i thought they came apart easier than that. i guess i was wrong.

[90c4]

This happened to mine after hitting a bad pothole. There's a thread here that helped me fix it - you'll have to search - but basically the ball and joint of the Y axis servo can become dislodged. You can take off the bumper and pull out the headlight and open it from the back to reinsert it.

[TommyLights]

It's a factory defect. The outer mount on the lowbeam is made out of flimsy plastic and unhooks or breaks.

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by Tomz_M3

It's a factory defect. The outer mount on the lowbeam is made out of flimsy plastic and unhooks or breaks.

That has to be covered by warranty then?

BTW after reading that this was a popular issue I now drive with my adaptive headlamps OFF if I don't really need them or I if I know I will be driving over hard terrain. (I find I never really need them to be swiveling every time I turn a corner)

I looked at the mechanism for the adaptive motion and realize if and when it goes it will be likely from hitting a pot hole, speed bump or rough road WHILE the adaptive motion is happening.

Also run flats on these cars coupled with the hard BMW suspension doesn't help.

My car jolts every time I go over a bump or rough patch in the road at pretty much any speed.

Waiting for my tax return to replace the hard ass stock CCS run flat tires with DWS 06.

It is just absurd how much shock travels thru an E90 with Run Flats! Coming from driving BMW cars my entire life during the pre-run flat era I can attest that many of the E90 ailments most likely come from their poor application of hard run flats on a hard suspension!!!!

[abw335i]

Could be a bad motor or popped out socket. I had this problem recently and replaced the motor. Neither requires you to open the headlight.

[TommyLights]

If the lowbeam is facing down then it popped out.

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by abw335i

Could be a bad motor or popped out socket. I had this problem recently and replaced the motor. Neither requires you to open the headlight.

how much does that cost? or did you DIY?

[E92-Lighting]

Originally Posted by Tomz_M3

It's a factory defect. The outer mount on the lowbeam is made out of flimsy plastic and unhooks or breaks.

+1. common on both prelci E90 in addition to E90 LCIs

[TommyLights]

Originally Posted by E92-Lighting

+1. common on both prelci E90 in addition to E90 LCIs

On the pre LCI the inner mount breaks.

[abw335i]

Originally Posted by delmarco

how much does that cost? or did you DIY?

Part was $65. To replace it, you have to take the wheel off and remove the wheel liner to access the back of the headlight. It's a pretty simple job that should take an hour.

I do have an e92 though.

This thread was very helpful.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494479