[SubzeroVR4]

I have my headlights in the auto position.

From a stop, my headlights are aimed lower and driverside is pointing to the left shoulder of the road until my speed hits above 30 mph, then they seem to rise a inch and the driver side headlight centers itself.

If I turn on fog light, the driver side headlight lowers and pans towards left shoulder of road regardless of the speed.

If I turn the headlight switch to the ON position I only get the leveling function.



Ok, my question and it could be malfunction.

I took a 400 mile trip this weekend and driving at night the driverside headlight occasionally aimed itself over to the left shoulder of the road. Fogs were off and headlight was in auto. I was driving appox 80mph. I slowed down to about 50mph and then they centered and so I speed back up to 80 and it took maybe 5 miles or so and the driverside headlight did it again. But sometimes it would center. I didn't get any errors. If I move the switch on ON the driverside headlight would center itself like normal. I'm just confused as to why it thinks it needs to light up the left side of the road in some places?

[Gee_115]

Maybe your car is programmed as right hand drive, The driver side should only move about 8 degrees and passenger side about 15. The driver side does not move past a certain point to the left as a safety feature for oncoming traffic.

[galahad05]

Mine certainly do NOT behave like that.

[edirtaynine]

Originally Posted by galahad05

Mine certainly do NOT behave like that.

+1

[jvsxn]

I believe it's common to have the left side to be lower than the right (stair-like). I don't think speed should affect the leveling function of the headlights. If other members would like to comment, my headlights do tend to shake/bounce when I hit bumps and whatnot -- is that normal?

[cstmx_ryder]

Have you checked the auto leveling module that's clipped onto the driver side control arm? Is it clipped on tight an correct?

[VTECaddict]

they should not be moving left or right unless you're turning.

[Hunter51092]

Originally Posted by JT_Munkey

I believe it's common to have the left side to be lower than the right (stair-like). I don't think speed should affect the leveling function of the headlights. If other members would like to comment, my headlights do tend to shake/bounce when I hit bumps and whatnot -- is that normal?

tighten screws on headlight support? and i wonder if this is how people get broken tabs on their headlights? from it bouncing up & down?

[jvsxn]

Originally Posted by cstmx_ryder

Have you checked the auto leveling module that's clipped onto the driver side control arm? Is it clipped on tight an correct?

I'll take a look at it when I get the chance. Thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by Hunter51092

tighten screws on headlight support? and i wonder if this is how people get broken tabs on their headlights? from it bouncing up & down?

I'm not sure either but I'll take a look at it hopefully some time soon. They seem to bounce more on my old wheel&tire set-up which seems a bit odd..

[Bee Pee]

Hi,

On LCI cars with adaptive, under 30mph, an "urban" mode occurs with lights on "auto". Drivers h/light aligns across slightly to illuminate the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road. Goes lower so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic.

Above 30mph, driver h'light resumes correct alignment and adaptive follow the road function.

Dave

[SubzeroVR4]

Originally Posted by Pave Dew

Hi,

On LCI cars with adaptive, under 30mph, an "urban" mode occurs with lights on "auto". Drivers h/light aligns across slightly to illuminate the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road. Goes lower so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic.

Above 30mph, driver h'light resumes correct alignment and adaptive follow the road function.

Dave

Yes, this is exactly how my light has been functinoing since I've owned the car but now it's doing something different...at 75mph on occasion the driver side light will pivot left as if my fogs were switched on.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by Hunter51092

tighten screws on headlight support? and i wonder if this is how people get broken tabs on their headlights? from it bouncing up & down?

Is a little shake normal?

[mike3000fl]

normal headlights point straight when the steering wheel is straight and move left or right as you turn the steering wheel.

the exception to this is when you are sitting still, they will not turn left so as not to deliberately blind oncoming traffic if you were stopped at something like a traffic light and wanted to fuck with the people on the other side.

once you are at speed, it should turn left again if you turn left on a curve.

the up and down portion is controlled by a leveler on the front left suspension to compensate for weight in the rear.

your lights should not move left or right at all while driving straight. this is abnormal.

they sometimes shake or flicker because of the mount, sucks but normal unless you fix it.

[ChuckBMW3]

Originally Posted by SubzeroVR4

I have my headlights in the auto position.

From a stop, my headlights are aimed lower and driverside is pointing to the left shoulder of the road until my speed hits above 30 mph, then they seem to rise a inch and the driver side headlight centers itself.

If I turn on fog light, the driver side headlight lowers and pans towards left shoulder of road regardless of the speed.

If I turn the headlight switch to the ON position I only get the leveling function.



Ok, my question and it could be malfunction.

I took a 400 mile trip this weekend and driving at night the driverside headlight occasionally aimed itself over to the left shoulder of the road. Fogs were off and headlight was in auto. I was driving appox 80mph. I slowed down to about 50mph and then they centered and so I speed back up to 80 and it took maybe 5 miles or so and the driverside headlight did it again. But sometimes it would center. I didn't get any errors. If I move the switch on ON the driverside headlight would center itself like normal. I'm just confused as to why it thinks it needs to light up the left side of the road in some places?

My sister's 2011 e90 335i had the exact same problem (xenon low beams would point all the way to the left and then center after hitting 30mph). I was car-sitting for ~ 6 months while she was overseas and noticed the issue when I drove the car at night.

Apparently, it's a problem with the software/programming. It took 3 dealer visits, but they finally fixed it.

Hope this helps...

[Hunter51092]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Is a little shake normal?

i really dont know as i dont experience this on my car lol..my e92 headlights dont shake at all

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by Hunter51092

i really dont know as i dont experience this on my car lol..my e92 headlights dont shake at all

Hmmm. Mine has a bit of a shake. Not a ton but it is noticeable. My front fascia has been repainted so who knows what has been done to it. They might be loose.

[Hunter51092]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Hmmm. Mine has a bit of a shake. Not a ton but it is noticeable. My front fascia has been repainted so who knows what has been done to it. They might be loose.

Maybe you guy need to make the bumper tighter to support the headlights?

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Hunter51092

Maybe you guy need to make the bumper tighter to support the headlights?

Noticed a a little shake on my E90 when hitting potholes or rough pavement but not on my LCI E92.

[Maybes]

Has anyone ever had problems with their headlights seemingly raising up and down as you drive, so that it appears to other drivers that you are effectively flashing them?

I've had this problem a few times in the last few weeks which even caused one driver to pull over thinking that something was wrong with their car.

Anybody able to shed any light on this for me?

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Maybes

Has anyone ever had problems with their headlights seemingly raising up and down as you drive, so that it appears to other drivers that you are effectively flashing them?

I've had this problem a few times in the last few weeks which even caused one driver to pull over thinking that something was wrong with their car.

Anybody able to shed any light on this for me?

Sounds like a software issue.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Maybes

Anybody able to shed any light on this for me?

pun intended?

[328iCoupe]

Originally Posted by JT_Munkey

I believe it's common to have the left side to be lower than the right (stair-like). I don't think speed should affect the leveling function of the headlights. If other members would like to comment, my headlights do tend to shake/bounce when I hit bumps and whatnot -- is that normal?

I had the shake/bounce problem with my passenger side headlight when I hit bumps. Driver's side was rock-steady. Brought it to dealer today and they fixed it (under warranty). Had a faulty headlight support bracket which was replaced. I don't imagine the bracket cost too much, but the front bumper had to be removed for the repair which will drive up the cost if not under warranty.

So to answer your question: no, the shake/bounce is not normal.