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Adaptive Headlights Question

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Old 12-08-2011, 07:40 AM
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My 535D has adaptive headlights, i.e the full beam will move in the direction of the steering wheel.

My car was recently involved in a car accident and I've not long had it back. One thing I've noticed, is im 99% sure the headlights are not moving at all.

Im sure when the car was previously stationary, with the full beam on, if I took the steering wheel from the far left position to the far right position the lights would automatically move and this was clearly visible. However this is not the case now.

Can anyone confirm if the lights should move when the car is stationary?

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Old 12-08-2011, 08:09 AM
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What position is your headlight switch in when you test this? It must be in 'auto' to move with the steering.
Old 12-08-2011, 08:58 AM
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Is the green LED blinking next to the switch? Are you sure you are in "auto" mode? If the light is blinking the auto function is not functioning properly.
Old 12-08-2011, 10:09 AM
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Also, when stationary, I believe they will only turn to the right. When moving, they will turn both directions
Old 12-09-2011, 08:01 AM
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Lights are always in the Auto position.
The green light is on perminantly.
Old 12-09-2011, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Adam1v
Lights are always in the Auto position.
The green light is on perminantly.

My headlights move BOTH directions when stationary.
Old 12-21-2011, 07:18 AM
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This is true, I had an issue with my 04 545 with the light blinking.... The motor was bad took the car in for service and they replaced the the head lamp unit.
Old 12-21-2011, 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by ADD
My headlights move BOTH directions when stationary.
I have that feature on my E93. I just hate it and it is something that will eventually break and will need $$$ to fix. I have one quick question, before I go to the dealer: when stationary and moving the wheel from left to right, both headlights turn all the way to the right. When I move the wheel from right to left, the right headlight will turn all the way to the left while the left headlight stops at center.

Is this normal? I presume that it is because you don't want to be blinding cars that are coming from the opposite way. Does that make sense?
Old 12-21-2011, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by porsche911targa
I have that feature on my E93. I just hate it and it is something that will eventually break and will need $$$ to fix. I have one quick question, before I go to the dealer: when stationary and moving the wheel from left to right, both headlights turn all the way to the right. When I move the wheel from right to left, the right headlight will turn all the way to the left while the left headlight stops at center.

Is this normal? I presume that it is because you don't want to be blinding cars that are coming from the opposite way. Does that make sense?
Quote from BMW website...

The Adaptive Headlights cast their beam in the direction of the curve and ensure better visibility and more safety during night drives on winding roads.

Sensors measure speed, steering angle and yaw (degree of rotation around the vertical axis). Based on this information, small electric motors turn the headlights left or right so the beam falls on the road ahead, guiding you into the bend.

Headlight beam throw control (a model-specific function) means the front headlights are raised at high speeds and lowered at slower speeds, which results in a wider beam for inner-city driving.

The adaptive headlight range control (a model-specific function) takes into consideration the vertical curve of the road. The headlight beam throw control is lowered when driving over a knoll and raised when the vehicle is in a dip.

The result: every single curve is illuminated and the oncoming traffic isn?t dazzled unnecessarily. Driving at night is even safer, particularly when visibility is poor.

Adaptive Headlights are only active when the vehicle is pulling away. They stay switched off when the BMW is in reverse and when the steering wheel is turned to the left while the vehicle is stationary (e.g. when pulling out of a parallel parking space) to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

Adaptive Headlights are complemented by cornering lights. These are automatically activated at speeds of up to 70 km/h and improve visibility in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, which is useful when driving along hairpin bends, turning or parking.
Old 12-22-2011, 05:00 PM
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Thanks ADD, just the answer I was looking for. Happy Holidays!!
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