E46 dead Xenon

[nicwes]

Hi guys. Question.. One of my xenons is dead, but the lights indicator on my dash doesn't show that it's dead.

Could this be a harness problem? The lights used to flicker slightly when turned on. The working xenon still flickers now and then. So before I go and spend R1000+ on a new xenon bulb, I'd like to find out if it's something else.

Thanks in advance!

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[AdiS]

I speak from experience:

Swap bulbs from left to right. If the issue follows the bulb, then you know its the bulb. If the issue persists on the same side, then you know its something else, most likely the ballast.

 

[nicwes]

Thanks! It's damn difficult to get those out.. Tried it over the weekend, but gave up. Persistence is needed

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[DieselFan]

Thanks! It's damn difficult to get those out.. Tried it over the weekend, but gave up. Persistence is needed

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You could swap the ballasts if that's easier

 

[nicwes]

Thanks! It's damn difficult to get those out.. Tried it over the weekend, but gave up. Persistence is needed

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You could swap the ballasts if that's easier

No idea how to do that.. Google? YouTube?

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[AdiS]

To swap the ballasts is more worn than swapping the bulbs- you have to remove the headlights. You shouldn't be struggling too much with the bulbs- they are replaceable without removing the headlight.

 

[Sankekur]

Also potentially an igniter issue, but that said if you gave up at the step of swapping bulbs I would not recommend even thinking about swapping ballasts let alone igniters.

For what its worth, disassembly of e46 headlights: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=10717

 

[Mohammed@Auto X-cessorize]

Thanks! It's damn difficult to get those out.. Tried it over the weekend, but gave up. Persistence is needed

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Where you based? if you willing to drive out to Lenasia ill be glad to check it for you and diagnose the problem

 

[nicwes]

Thanks! It's damn difficult to get those out.. Tried it over the weekend, but gave up. Persistence is needed

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Where you based? if you willing to drive out to Lenasia ill be glad to check it for you and diagnose the problem

I live in Olympus. Pta east. Will have to see how it goes. I only get home after 6 at night and I'm away this weekend. Thank you for the offer

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[Mohammed@Auto X-cessorize]

Thanks! It's damn difficult to get those out.. Tried it over the weekend, but gave up. Persistence is needed

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Where you based? if you willing to drive out to Lenasia ill be glad to check it for you and diagnose the problem

I live in Olympus. Pta east. Will have to see how it goes. I only get home after 6 at night and I'm away this weekend. Thank you for the offer

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Not a problem

another way to check, unplug the faulty globe/side, leave the plug facing up, move away from the vehicle, you just need to peak at the plug, let someone switch the lights on, if the plug sparks means the ballast is working..... this is dangerous and do it at your own risk

 

[nicwes]

Bump...

Got confirmation today with my car's service that it is indeed the ballast, not the bulb that's defective. Any recommendations?

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[Gizmo]

I have a spare E46 OEM AL ballast here, PM me.

 

[Mohammed@Auto X-cessorize]

Bump...

Got confirmation today with my car's service that it is indeed the ballast, not the bulb that's defective. Any recommendations?

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if you don't come right with the OEM one I keep the aftermarket ones

 

[nicwes]

Bump...

Got confirmation today with my car's service that it is indeed the ballast, not the bulb that's defective. Any recommendations?

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if you don't come right with the OEM one I keep the aftermarket ones

Thanks! I'll let you know

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