LogicMan

Gents,

Is this another one of those things or what Just had the left dipped beam (Xenon) light go out. The right one functions perfectly. All other lights work and I get the usual message (Left Dipped Beam Failure).

So off I went to the dealer and they had a quick look. Their computer tool (MODEC) was out of order .... shop boy tells me they are uploading new software ... so hope it's V12. Anyway they so the boy had to do some manual checks. Autoleveling etc works, just the light dosen't. All fuses ok too. So boy tells me to wait until their diagnostic tool is ready

So here are my questions:

1. Does the xenon buld ever fail ? Should be an electrode ... only possible failure I see is if the electrodes wear down with age and use ... so that is a couple of years. Or the gas is depleted.... also some years.

2. Could the ballast/transformer fail so early?

3. Could there be a leakage somewhere in the circuit, hence low voltage supply to the ballast, such that it can't boost the 24k volts required for igniting the electrodes?

Any ideas Oh noble ones

Tuga

That?s one of the reasons i didn't choose the Xenon lights....

NickP

I had an accident on a previous car with xenons the headlight was damaged (some loon backed into my space).. Both lights continued to work. There is a good chance you have a defective starter ballast, a wiring issue or just a plain old defective Xenon assembly. The dealer will have to replace and relevel the unit (not the auto leveler, general install leveling) if it's found to be the entire assembly.

LogicMan

Gents,

Finally up and running. Sorry didn't post update earlier, but I'm back to twisty bending search lights The Xenon light is fixed. Their chief tech boy at the shop just had one look at it and said, "You need to change the module" ... Balast ... presto, once done the lights came on

Interestingly the ballast used in the e60 is quite smaller than the e39. More compact sealed rectifier IC like. Surprised it failed in the first place. Boy just looked at me and said, "Sorry Sir .... manufacture defect"

So hope that's the last of such defects for now