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      02-11-2017, 06:57 PM   #1
tannooba
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Both xenon AHL Headlights not working

Please help me figure out why both xenon D1s AHL headlights are not working on my 2008 328xi.

I saw a pinout in one of the threads that said pin 3 on the headlight connector is the the low beam xenon supply. I tested this pin with a DMM and got 12 volts when the switch is on AHL, and zero when it's not.

could it be both ballasts are shot? does coding have anything to do with it?
When I turn on the lights I hear the AHL motor adjusting but lights never worked.

Thanks.

Last edited by tannooba; 02-11-2017 at 07:05 PM..
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      02-11-2017, 10:15 PM   #2
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It could be bulbs, ballast, wiring, coding or FRM. Usually they don't go out at the same time though, so that's odd. Do all the other lights in the headlight work?

If you recently did some coding it's possible you messed something up. If not, then you need to troubleshoot starting from the easiest/cheapest fix (check all wiring and connectors) and go from there.

If you have a buddy with an E9x willing to let you swap headlights to test, that would be easiest to eliminate and wiring/coding/FRM issue. Otherwise start with new bulbs, and if that doesn't work try new ballasts.
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      02-12-2017, 04:27 AM   #3
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Thank you VTEC!

All other lights work. Only the xenons don't work, which means I cannot drive the car at night.

Again, I noticed I get 11.57v on pin 3 of the AHL connector, which is supposedly the low beam xenon pin. I'm guessing the FRM is sending out the correct signal, so it must not be a coding issue.

I was wondering if 11.57v was too weak to ignite the ballast so I hooked up the car to an external power supply, but that did not change the outcome.

I guess my next test is a new ballast. I'll order one off of eBay today.

Last edited by tannooba; 02-12-2017 at 04:53 AM..
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      02-14-2017, 12:49 PM   #4
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Would someone comment if the motor on one headlight is not working would that make both xenons to not light up?

My driver side motor is busted. Does the BMW computer test the drive motors before it decides whether to light the xenons or not?

thank you for your help
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      02-15-2017, 08:09 PM   #5
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Could anyone please help?

Does anyone know if one side headlight leveling motor is bad would that prevent the other side xenon from lighting up?

Thanks in advance
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      02-15-2017, 10:58 PM   #6
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Xenons should still fire if AHL or leveling system is malfunctioning.
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      02-16-2017, 04:57 AM   #7
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Thanks.
I will test once i receive the ballast from eBay.
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      02-19-2017, 03:35 PM   #8
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Update:
bought a ballast, installed it on one headlight and the xenon lit up.
I'm waiting for the 2nd ballast from ebay.

Thanks VTEC for clues to try things out.

Now, on to my next problem.
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      02-21-2017, 07:09 PM   #9
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2nd xenon ballast installed. Both lights are working now. However the driver side headlight is not leveling.

Any advice on whether I should buy a new one or try to fix it?

I looked at the internal mechanism and it looks something is broken because the whole assembly moves freely.
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