Uneven HID light output...Pics Updated!

e92sf · 03-30-2010, 02:20 AM

So searched the forum but couldn't really find what I needed answered.

I installed my mtech 8k HID about a month ago and a few of my friends told me my driver side HID is brighter than the passenger side. It's not off by too much but far away you can tell one is brighter than the other. It's just annoying when people keep telling me that, so im trying to get it fixed.

My question is do I need to buy and install the Mtech ballasts in order to get even light output between both sides? If so, where do I install it? Or do I need to buy a new bulb?

Here are the pics...sorry for the bad quality from the iphone.

So after looking at the pics, it looks like the passenger side HID points higher than the Driver side while shining on the wall...On the ground you can see the light reflect off the ground more on the driver side. Hence it makes one side look brighter than the other side.

If the issue is just adjusting the HID light angle, how would I go about doing this? Would I have to take it to the dealer to get it fixed?

Thanks for helping me with this...

f82phan · 03-30-2010, 08:42 AM

Have you looked at this thread?

Instead of playing around with the position of the bulb, try adjusting the whole fog housing by hand from behind the bumper. That's what worked for me.

Or maybe your passenger side bulb is bad?

e92sf · 03-30-2010, 10:55 AM

Yes, I looked at that thread already... But my problem are not my fogs, it's the headlights. The passenger side seems to be a little dimmer, than the drivers side. Thanks for the suggestion...

Mike@F1 Autohaüs · 03-30-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92sf

Yes, I looked at that thread already... But my problem are not my fogs, it's the headlights. The passenger side seems to be a little dimmer, than the drivers side. Thanks for the suggestion...

So did you buy an HID kit or a set of D1S replacement bulbs? Pictures would help

e92sf · 03-30-2010, 12:47 PM

i just got replacement d1s bulbs, bought them from a forum member. Ive asked around and searched on google, and some people say it's the voltage output of HID one side will be brighter than the other side. Is that true? I will try to take pics, but not sure if it will show in the pictures.

Mike@F1 Autohaüs · 03-30-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92sf

i just got replacement d1s bulbs, bought them from a forum member. Ive asked around and searched on google, and some people say it's the voltage output of HID one side will be brighter than the other side. Is that true? I will try to take pics, but not sure if it will show in the pictures.

It should be the same output on both sides irregardless. Other than that it's possible that your driver/passenger side headlight alignment is uneven - giving the illusion effect of one side being brighter than the other.

I'd take some pics against a wall to show for. It's very difficult to judge without seeing it in person

e92sf · 03-30-2010, 01:14 PM

well light out put on the wall seems even, it's only when you look directly at it or when I drive behind someone, they tell me one side is brighter. That's what has been annoying me. Everytime I drive with the headlights on, my friends tell me one side is brighter. I will try to take pics once it gets dark, i would hate to get new bulbs and install it again... thanks for the input, always a great help....

e92sf · 03-31-2010, 12:15 AM

Pics Updated!

BRGmatthew · 03-31-2010, 12:30 AM

had the same problem and went to the dealer. Tech said that its suppose to be like that because the left side has to be low and in so you dont blind oncoming traffic and u can see clearly infront of you and the right is high and out so u can see whatss on the right of you like pedestrians and stuff

e92sf · 03-31-2010, 11:15 AM

I see what you're saying ,but my driver side seems to be brighter when you look at it head on. So if it doesnt make sense to me that it should not blind drivers, even though its angled lower?

thanks for the input....any body else run into this problem?

Mike@F1 Autohaüs · 03-31-2010, 11:30 AM

Try aiming the passenger side lower so that it'll be at the same height and see if you still notice any differences

e92sf · 03-31-2010, 11:48 AM

is there a DIY to do this mike? or a previous thread?

Ron1n · 03-31-2010, 12:10 PM

Do what you did in your pics, and just get a torq wrench to adjust the height of the lights (the adjusters are easy to find in the engine bay, by the lights, on top).

Mike@F1 Autohaüs · 03-31-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92sf

is there a DIY to do this mike? or a previous thread?

Here's the link for the E90:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=20

E92 coupes/cabrios should be somewhat similar

e92sf · 03-31-2010, 01:10 PM

Thanks Mike for all your help and Ron1n for your input....I'll try that out and see how it goes...

E92-Lighting · 03-31-2010, 06:47 PM

you can manually adjust your xenons

Jlomb436 · 04-01-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpax56

had the same problem and went to the dealer. Tech said that its suppose to be like that because the left side has to be low and in so you dont blind oncoming traffic and u can see clearly infront of you and the right is high and out so u can see whatss on the right of you like pedestrians and stuff

Wow, definitely did not know this. However, I noticed my driver side is slightly lower too. Incredibly annoying. Maybe I'll manually adjust it...

200Duece · 04-01-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlomb436

Wow, definitely did not know this. However, I noticed my driver side is slightly lower too. Incredibly annoying. Maybe I'll manually adjust it...

It is a DOT law. I wouldn't blind other drivers to see 4 feet further.

chewychew · 04-01-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@F1 Autohaüs

So did you buy an HID kit or a set of D1S replacement bulbs? Pictures would help

Hey mike, how much is it for the OSS angel eye kit for an 07 335I non halogen

Hurdle · 04-03-2010, 05:52 PM

I thought I had a problem with my P46's on my 2000 328i. Looking at the reflections of the lights in cars in front of me and even standing outside in the middle of the car, one light looked bright than the other. After adjusting the lights for about a hour I realized that it was just the way the cutoffs directed the output of the lights. The cutoffs make the light output look something like:

_____/ _____/

When looking at the car from the front, and depending on where you are standing one light may appear brighter, but it is just the viewing angles.

03-30-2010, 02:20 AM	#1
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	Uneven HID light output...Pics Updated! So searched the forum but couldn't really find what I needed answered. I installed my mtech 8k HID about a month ago and a few of my friends told me my driver side HID is brighter than the passenger side. It's not off by too much but far away you can tell one is brighter than the other. It's just annoying when people keep telling me that, so im trying to get it fixed. My question is do I need to buy and install the Mtech ballasts in order to get even light output between both sides? If so, where do I install it? Or do I need to buy a new bulb? Here are the pics...sorry for the bad quality from the iphone. So after looking at the pics, it looks like the passenger side HID points higher than the Driver side while shining on the wall...On the ground you can see the light reflect off the ground more on the driver side. Hence it makes one side look brighter than the other side. If the issue is just adjusting the HID light angle, how would I go about doing this? Would I have to take it to the dealer to get it fixed? Thanks for helping me with this... Last edited by e92sf; 03-31-2010 at 12:13 AM.. Reason: input pics
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03-30-2010, 08:42 AM	#2
f82phan Colonel 54 Rep 2,863 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: in your rear view mirror iTrader: (22)	Have you looked at this thread? Instead of playing around with the position of the bulb, try adjusting the whole fog housing by hand from behind the bumper. That's what worked for me. Or maybe your passenger side bulb is bad? __________________
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03-30-2010, 10:55 AM	#3
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	Yes, I looked at that thread already... But my problem are not my fogs, it's the headlights. The passenger side seems to be a little dimmer, than the drivers side. Thanks for the suggestion...
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03-30-2010, 12:47 PM	#5
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	i just got replacement d1s bulbs, bought them from a forum member. Ive asked around and searched on google, and some people say it's the voltage output of HID one side will be brighter than the other side. Is that true? I will try to take pics, but not sure if it will show in the pictures.
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03-30-2010, 01:14 PM	#7
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	well light out put on the wall seems even, it's only when you look directly at it or when I drive behind someone, they tell me one side is brighter. That's what has been annoying me. Everytime I drive with the headlights on, my friends tell me one side is brighter. I will try to take pics once it gets dark, i would hate to get new bulbs and install it again... thanks for the input, always a great help....
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03-31-2010, 12:15 AM	#8
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	Pics Updated!
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03-31-2010, 12:30 AM	#9
BRGmatthew Bausman 63 Rep 1,817 Posts Drives: around the block Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal 626/NorCal 650 iTrader: (19)	had the same problem and went to the dealer. Tech said that its suppose to be like that because the left side has to be low and in so you dont blind oncoming traffic and u can see clearly infront of you and the right is high and out so u can see whatss on the right of you like pedestrians and stuff
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03-31-2010, 11:15 AM	#10
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	I see what you're saying ,but my driver side seems to be brighter when you look at it head on. So if it doesnt make sense to me that it should not blind drivers, even though its angled lower? thanks for the input....any body else run into this problem?
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03-31-2010, 11:30 AM	#11
Mike@F1 Autohaüs Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: ❤ Join Date: May 2009 Location: f1autohaus.com iTrader: (24)	Try aiming the passenger side lower so that it'll be at the same height and see if you still notice any differences
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03-31-2010, 11:48 AM	#12
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	is there a DIY to do this mike? or a previous thread?
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03-31-2010, 12:10 PM	#13
Ron1n Speed Demon 205 Rep 3,690 Posts Drives: 2021 M5C Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Irvine iTrader: (6) Garage List 2021 M5 Competition [0.00] 2016 BMW 550i [0.00] 2011 335is [0.00] 2009 E93 M3 [10.00] 2010 335d [9.50]	Do what you did in your pics, and just get a torq wrench to adjust the height of the lights (the adjusters are easy to find in the engine bay, by the lights, on top). __________________ Current: '21 M5C, '15 X6 50i Previous: '18 M550i, '16 550i, '11 335is, '09 E93 M3 DCT, '10 E90 335d, '07 E90 328i
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03-31-2010, 01:10 PM	#15
e92sf Private First Class 14 Rep 198 Posts Drives: E92 space grey stock Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	Thanks Mike for all your help and Ron1n for your input....I'll try that out and see how it goes...
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03-31-2010, 06:47 PM	#16
E92-Lighting 858 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	you can manually adjust your xenons
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04-03-2010, 05:52 PM	#20
Hurdle New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 328i [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00]	I thought I had a problem with my P46's on my 2000 328i. Looking at the reflections of the lights in cars in front of me and even standing outside in the middle of the car, one light looked bright than the other. After adjusting the lights for about a hour I realized that it was just the way the cutoffs directed the output of the lights. The cutoffs make the light output look something like: _____/ _____/ When looking at the car from the front, and depending on where you are standing one light may appear brighter, but it is just the viewing angles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote