jaiello

2008 bmw 535i with adaptive headlights. I am having an issue with the daytime running lights. I just changed the lightbulbs and the passenger worked but the drivers won’t work. I took the headlight out and looked in there and the wires look a mess they have no sheathing it’s straight metal strands. Now the passenger won’t work and I am getting left and right warnings. I would like to take them apart and replace the wiring but tried my hardest and cannot get the lenses off with cracking or cutting them off. Great design Bmw thanks a lot. Buying two new headlights is out of the question $1800 for two adaptive headlights. Are they out of their mind ?? Specially when they are crap. I don’t know what to do and I am getting seriously sick of the warning messages. I am thinking about getting rid of the adaptive part but I know it has to be coding done to remove the message. Or I need some advice on removing the lens so I can replace and test the lights. Any ideas on both options and who has done the coding. Any help is greatly appreciated.

seanjordan20

When I had that happened I just took my time and wrapped electrical tape around the wires without taking the lens off. Some people throw it in the oven. Then I got in an accident and got them both replaced for free.

Also I got an extra assembly that the auto shop broke a tab while installing it. It still can be installed without any issue. Those lights can be found around $600 new.

audiophool

So, find a truck to bump into. One with the bumper just high enough to hit the headlights?

audiophool

Seriously though. The headlights can be cut open with a Dremel, then you fix and re-assemble with a urethane adhesive. Any frayed wires that you can see, try liquid electrical tape before committing to opening the lights.

jaiello

At this point I am going to find a truck and crash into it. Funny as hell !! I am going to cut it open with the dremel and fix the wiring I think. Time to ruin a 700 hundred dollar headlight what the hell. My drivers side headlight is all fubar the angel eyes assembly has come off and it’s dangling in the headlight. Awesome quality for $700 dollar headlight.

audiophool

BMW probably didn't design it to last forever, and it gets pretty hot down in GA, no? Not nearly so hot up here in AB, but I'm getting some insulation peel on the cornering lamp wiring, driver's side. I'll let it ride until it stops working rather than attempt any preventive measures.

NoTurboDude

Are daytime running lights supposed to work when headlights are set to auto? Also, is there a way in idrive to disable/enable them?

kd7iwp

I’m in Canada where DRLs are required, but yes, DRLs should always be on and impossible to turn off. In my VW the only time they EVER would go off is when the parking brake was on (manual transmission). On my E61 they are on any time the car is “on”, whether engine is running or not. It’s just the angel eyes on my car.

I do not have the option (unless doing coding in NCS) to disable as that would be illegal here.

dingolfing

The exposed wires are caused by German (possibly European) automotive grade natural rubber that is not built to last due to environmental regulations. Simple fix is open the circular access ports above the wires and tape them to prevent shorts (which causes the i-drive warnings).

The angel eye lens along with the cornering lamp reflector assembly behind the angel eye loosens and becomes dislodged. This is again caused by the headlamp outer rubber seals disintegrating, allowing moisture to enter the headlamp. With hot ambient temperatures, the moisture evaporates into steam, turning the headlamp inside into a sauna which softens the glue holding the angel eyes and anything else within the headlamp. Then the glue fails. This fix is a pain in the butt.

Good ole German rubber.

I'm about to replace my windshield rubber seal again for the second time for a car that is 12 years old. That just shouldn't happen for any car.

jaiello

Well cut open the headlight, rubber coated all the wires but all of them were frayed. Could not remove the xeon light to check wires behind it but they looked like garbage also. Put it all back together and plugged it in an no luck the daytime running lights just will not work. The wires even at the plug are missing the sheathing in parts. Only way to fix this was to completely take apart every part and replace the wiring and I just don't have the time or patience to tackle something like that. My next option is going to purchase a non adaptive headlight somewhere and code out the error with the cable and deleting $524 on the code. I hope this works. I am not spending $1,500 on a $5,000 dollar car. I already spent $1,700 in leaks and another $1,500 on new turbos. And I just got the car a few months ago. I should of kept my e46 I never had an issue with at all.