E39 lights question

[MaseehaGP]

Hi Guys,

Have a 2002 e39 530i, looked for headlamps but most organisations stock only pre face lift head lamps. Dont want original bmw headlamps.
I fitted in a HID xenon kit but the computer box kept reading that globes were gone. Higly annoying! is there any way I can fit an HID kit and not let computer peep every time and say globes are gone?

Or any other suggestions to make my lights brighter? They very dim!!:thumbdo:

 

[scunick]

A couple of things:

HID "kits" are merely a halogen globe replacement that in many cases cause the vehicle lighting to dazzle oncoming traffic due to the changed focal length of the headlight. The best answer is to install a projector as well as this eliminates the impact of the halogen reflector.

To stop the vehicle throwing he waning you mentioned you need to install a resistor that has the same resistance as the original halogen bulb. Most installers of HID's have bunch of these to choose from such that the ECU sees he same level of resistance on the line.

Later
Nick

PS if you are in CT drop MiniMike a PM. We recently installed quad projectors and HID's in my GTR.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[abmi0000]

Hi Guys,

Have a 2002 e39 530i, looked for headlamps but most organisations stock only pre face lift head lamps. Dont want original bmw headlamps.
I fitted in a HID xenon kit but the computer box kept reading that globes were gone. Higly annoying! is there any way I can fit an HID kit and not let computer peep every time and say globes are gone?

Or any other suggestions to make my lights brighter? They very dim!!:thumbdo:

You clearly purchased a non canbus kit which will never keep the LCM of a BMW happy.

You can check with Vsomai who is one of the current sponsors on this forum and if he can't help you, then www.violetelectronics.co.za as they sell these items loose too.

But as Scunick has mentioned. Light updates without proper projectors is just a big no no. This makes your lighting worse, whilst the colour temp fools you. Vsomai can assist you with projectors too.

If this is too much PT for you, just look at replacing with Osram Nightbreakers Plus which is an excellent halogen bulb with very good light output. Colour temp is not as high as HID in any way but the bulb is very effective and cost is down to around a quarter or less of a proper after market HID installation.

 

[msm]

Are you sure it's the HID kit that's causing the problem. Perhaps put normal globes in and check first. I had an issue on my (ex) E39, where all the globes were working, but I got the error randomly. It eventually turned out to be the aging park light globe, that was still working.

 

[P1000]

Ok, firstly, welcome!

Secondly, the mains of the E39 LCI has projectors in already, so all will be fine, no focal point problem or dazzling of oncoming traffic.

Furthermore, HID kits have no halogen lamps, they are Xenon arc lamps.

Lastly, putting a 4700uF 25V capacitor in parallel with the ballast have been said to stop the error message (and it is very cheap). If that does not work, search for a post made by bossman on this forum, he has a schematic for a relay that switched between a normal lamp and the ballast when the lights are off and on respectively.

 

[MaseehaGP]

Ok, firstly, welcome!

Secondly, the mains of the E39 LCI has projectors in already, so all will be fine, no focal point problem or dazzling of oncoming traffic.

Furthermore, HID kits have no halogen lamps, they are Xenon arc lamps.

Lastly, putting a 4700uF 25V capacitor in parallel with the ballast have been said to stop the error message (and it is very cheap). If that does not work, search for a post made by bossman on this forum, he has a schematic for a relay that switched between a normal lamp and the ballast when the lights are off and on respectively.

Im going to try this!! Thanks dude

Was worried I would have fit in new headlamps

---

Are you sure it's the HID kit that's causing the problem. Perhaps put normal globes in and check first. I had an issue on my (ex) E39, where all the globes were working, but I got the error randomly. It eventually turned out to be the aging park light globe, that was still working.

Yes im sure because once I disconnected it the errors disappeared

---

A couple of things:

HID "kits" are merely a halogen globe replacement that in many cases cause the vehicle lighting to dazzle oncoming traffic due to the changed focal length of the headlight. The best answer is to install a projector as well as this eliminates the impact of the halogen reflector.

To stop the vehicle throwing he waning you mentioned you need to install a resistor that has the same resistance as the original halogen bulb. Most installers of HID's have bunch of these to choose from such that the ECU sees he same level of resistance on the line.

Later
Nick

PS if you are in CT drop MiniMike a PM. We recently installed quad projectors and HID's in my GTR.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Im confused now, I thought an HID kit is a xenon infrastructure not a hallogen? Isnt hallogen just the globe not the entire kit? Was I made to believe wrong all this time?

Also if its connected to my headlights how does the focal length change, isnt it just the brightness? As all its doing is replacing the standard globes in my headset.

Im confused now :bangdesk:

 

[MaseehaGP]

Hi Guys,

Have a 2002 e39 530i, looked for headlamps but most organisations stock only pre face lift head lamps. Dont want original bmw headlamps.
I fitted in a HID xenon kit but the computer box kept reading that globes were gone. Higly annoying! is there any way I can fit an HID kit and not let computer peep every time and say globes are gone?

Or any other suggestions to make my lights brighter? They very dim!!:thumbdo:

You clearly purchased a non canbus kit which will never keep the LCM of a BMW happy.

You can check with Vsomai who is one of the current sponsors on this forum and if he can't help you, then www.violetelectronics.co.za as they sell these items loose too.

But as Scunick has mentioned. Light updates without proper projectors is just a big no no. This makes your lighting worse, whilst the colour temp fools you. Vsomai can assist you with projectors too.

If this is too much PT for you, just look at replacing with Osram Nightbreakers Plus which is an excellent halogen bulb with very good light output. Colour temp is not as high as HID in any way but the bulb is very effective and cost is down to around a quarter or less of a proper after market HID installation.

I took the car to Sugan @ Violet electronics today. Headlamps are sorted next week the rings and fogs.

Thanks alot:ty:

 

[abmi0000]

Hi Guys,

Have a 2002 e39 530i, looked for headlamps but most organisations stock only pre face lift head lamps. Dont want original bmw headlamps.
I fitted in a HID xenon kit but the computer box kept reading that globes were gone. Higly annoying! is there any way I can fit an HID kit and not let computer peep every time and say globes are gone?

Or any other suggestions to make my lights brighter? They very dim!!:thumbdo:

You clearly purchased a non canbus kit which will never keep the LCM of a BMW happy.

You can check with Vsomai who is one of the current sponsors on this forum and if he can't help you, then www.violetelectronics.co.za as they sell these items loose too.

But as Scunick has mentioned. Light updates without proper projectors is just a big no no. This makes your lighting worse, whilst the colour temp fools you. Vsomai can assist you with projectors too.

If this is too much PT for you, just look at replacing with Osram Nightbreakers Plus which is an excellent halogen bulb with very good light output. Colour temp is not as high as HID in any way but the bulb is very effective and cost is down to around a quarter or less of a proper after market HID installation.

I took the car to Sugan @ Violet electronics today. Headlamps are sorted next week the rings and fogs.

Thanks alot:ty:

Glad you came right. :thumbs: