[hybrid90]

Good Morning, Brothers and Sisters!!

I have an issue with my Adaptive Headlights not swiveling (covered in an earlier thread) so I decided to bite the bullet and buy the Control Module to try to fix it myself. It's already coded out so I don't have the alert in my face everyday but I wanted to fix it so...

After I got the module, I looked around for an article or video on replacing it and found this video which detailed my issue exactly and showed where the module actually is.

He goes on to explain what he did but it doesn't show him actually doing it (but it's good reference to show where it is) so I pulled my fender liner and attempted to change it myself. And thanks to owning a 335is, I ran into another issue: The Oil Cooler (I'm assuming that's what it is as I'm on the passenger/right side) is literally 3/4" directly under the headlight and that is exactly where this module is located (it's on the underside of the housing). I unbolted a few things to see if I could move it out of the way but to no avail.

SO MY QUESTION IS: IS THERE A WAY AROUND THIS OR WILL I HAVE TO PULL THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT HOUSING TO GET TO THIS MODULE? If the Cooler was a bit thinner I could have reached the Torx screws with my driver, but that's also a no go.

Any suggestions, comments, questions or ideas would be welcomed and I hope this can help someone else as well. I put 335is in the title because my E90 didn't have that cooler there so I'm assuming it's a 335is feature.

Thanks in advance and have a great day!!

[hybrid90]

No one?

It amazes me that there isn't more information on this subject, or are Adaptive Headlights not that common? I pretty much thought that if the BMW has HID Xenons, they will be Adaptive. I guess I was wrong.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by hybrid90

No one?

It amazes me that there isn't more information on this subject, or are Adaptive Headlights not that common? I pretty much thought that if the BMW has HID Xenons, they will be Adaptive. I guess I was wrong.

Which control unit exactly are you replacing what is the PN?

To answer your question can you just not unbolt the oil cooler/second radiator in the fender?

[hybrid90]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Which control unit exactly are you replacing what is the PN?

To answer your question can you just not unbolt the oil cooler/second radiator in the fender?

The part number is: 63 11 7 182 396. I believe that it's called the Adaptive Headlight Control Unit/Cornering Ballast. From what I understand, it controls the left/right swivel (the auto-level function still works correct I believe, but maybe I"m only seeing the left headlight auto-level)

I did unbolt it, but it was still held in place by the hard metal pipes/lines running into the engine compartment and I didn't want to take the change of doing damage to something vital.

I"m trying to start doing things myself as I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but sometimes finding the information to do the job is the problem, which is why I"m here...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by hybrid90

The part number is: 63 11 7 182 396. I believe that it's called the Adaptive Headlight Control Unit/Cornering Ballast. From what I understand, it controls the left/right swivel (the auto-level function still works correct I believe, but maybe I"m only seeing the left headlight auto-level)

I did unbolt it, but it was still held in place by the hard metal pipes/lines running into the engine compartment and I didn't want to take the change of doing damage to something vital.

I"m trying to start doing things myself as I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but sometimes finding the information to do the job is the problem, which is why I"m here...

Ok based on TIS it does say you need to remove the headlight up to 2006 cars but after that shouldn't have to. But because we have the coolers I guess removing the headlight would be best... but that involves removing the bumper I believe.

Are you doing the job on the left or right side? The oil cooler is right side while left side is the coolant cooler. I suppose disconnecting the coolant cooler would be less bad than an oil one.

If you are starting doing things yourself https://www.newtis.info is good for quikly looking at jobs and torque specs. That's basically extracted from ista d so if the website gets taken down again ista d will still have it if you got it.

[hybrid90]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ok based on TIS it does say you need to remove the headlight up to 2006 cars but after that shouldn't have to. But because we have the coolers I guess removing the headlight would be best... but that involves removing the bumper I believe.

Are you doing the job on the left or right side? The oil cooler is right side while left side is the coolant cooler. I suppose disconnecting the coolant cooler would be less bad than an oil one.

If you are starting doing things yourself https://www.newtis.info is good for quikly looking at jobs and torque specs. That's basically extracted from ista d so if the website gets taken down again ista d will still have it if you got it.

I keep seeing things that say "quick removal of the headlight", but I guess difficulty is a relative term...

I"m working on the right (LHD passenger) side. That's how I know that it's only the 335is. My E90 335i didn't have that cooler there when I did any work on the headlight.

Thank you for the link!! I will definitely take a look and save as much as I can.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by hybrid90

I keep seeing things that say "quick removal of the headlight", but I guess difficulty is a relative term...

I"m working on the right (LHD passenger) side. That's how I know that it's only the 335is. My E90 335i didn't have that cooler there when I did any work on the headlight.

Thank you for the link!! I will definitely take a look and save as much as I can.

Yeah I believe the oil cooler was a standalone option you could get on non IS. Not sure for the left side radiator though if you could.

[mweisdorfer]

Yes, you will have to remove the headlight to remove the control module.

[hybrid90]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Yes, you will have to remove the headlight to remove the control module.

Thank you. Was trying to avoid that, but guess I don't get a choice.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by hybrid90

Thank you. Was trying to avoid that, but guess I don't get a choice.

Not all that difficult really. Just take off the front bumper & you are 70% of the way there. The front bumper is easy.

[hybrid90]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Not all that difficult really. Just take off the front bumper & you are 70% of the way there. The front bumper is easy.

Been watching vids on YouTube on how to do that, so hoping it won't be too much of an issue. There's a first time for everything. Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it

[NoGuru]

Originally Posted by hybrid90

Been watching vids on YouTube on how to do that, so hoping it won't be too much of an issue. There's a first time for everything. Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it

It's super easy, I think I can take my bumper off in about 15 minutes.
For me, the hardest bolts are in the top corners. But just unbolt the fender liners and your pretty much done.

[hybrid90]

Originally Posted by NoGuru

It's super easy, I think I can take my bumper off in about 15 minutes.
For me, the hardest bolts are in the top corners. But just unbolt the fender liners and your pretty much done.

Good to know. Thanks for the tip!