[paulm3251]

Okay...2007 328xi sedan my right turn signal bulb goes out...I find the PY21W bulb locally say okay great let me stock up just incase my other one goes out in the future or whatever so I buy 3. Get home try to replace it...still doesn't work. So okay then its probably the socket so I order the new socket which comes today put it in with the new bulb...still doesn't work. I take the new socket and bulb swap it with the good socket on drivers side and it works. Take that socket and try it on the passenger side...no good. What's my next step? Fuse? Bad headlight? Thanks guys...can't stand the rapid turn signal tick anymore haha

[///Mposter]

What about the passenger rear turn light and the fender turn light? Are they blinking or dead too?
If they are working then check the wiring near the headlight for a short or cut in any of the wires. Use the bang method, just bang the headlight area and see if you get a flicker. Also try the hazard lights and see if they come on instead of the turn signals. Could be a lighting circuit problem and the secondary power from hazards could possibly power them. If they worked I would assume the lighting foot module.

[tc535i]

dude, all that and you haven't even checked the fuse?

come on now

[bmw325i]

It's the headlight the same thing happened to me. A common problem I guess. I upgraded to lci xenons they have led turn signals.

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

It's the headlight the same thing happened to me. A common problem I guess. I upgraded to lci xenons they have led turn signals.

that doesn't even make sense, the turn signal isn't part of the headlight

sounds like he isn't even getting power at the socket, can't really blame that on the headlight

but I guess throwing a few thousand at the car is one way of testing a long shot

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by tc535i

that doesn't even make sense, the turn signal isn't part of the headlight

sounds like he isn't even getting power at the socket, can't really blame that on the headlight

but I guess throwing a few thousand at the car is one way of testing a long shot

The electrical contacts between the socket and headlight short out. Same exact thing happened to me and I would be willing to bet it is the same problem.

[paulm3251]

Side marker light and rear light both work...but they blink double speed...that's why I didn't think it was a fuse and went right to swapping the bulb and the socket.

[paulm3251]

Thanks ///Mposter, bmw325i and tc535i for your input...I hope its not the whole headlight itself...could someone provide a diagram of which fuse to check...I guess that's my next step.

[bmw325i]

Check for power at pin 12 on the headlight connection when the turn signal is on. There isn't a fuse the lights are powered by the FRM module.

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

The electrical contacts between the socket and headlight short out. Same exact thing happened to me and I would be willing to bet it is the same problem.

between socket and headlight? what are you talking about.






The bulb and socket are totally separate from the headlight and work on their own. Simply placing the assembly into the headlight couldn't possibly change anything.

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by tc535i

between socket and headlight? what are you talking about.






The bulb and socket are totally separate from the headlight and work on their own. Simply placing the assembly into the headlight couldn't possibly change anything.

There are no wires running to part number 6 all of the wires go the the 12 pin connector at the headlight. There are 2 contacts in the headlight and the turn signal socket that line up when you put the bulb in.

[tc535i]

gotcha. in that case, I'd start with the fuse, and if it looked good test the "headlight connections" with a multimeter to see if it's getting 12v at the socket/headlight connector.

If so, check the socket's continuity (resistance) to see if it's completing the circuit or broken somewhere.

[kevinyingyang]

Originally Posted by paulm3251

Okay...2007 328xi sedan my right turn signal bulb goes out...I find the PY21W bulb locally say okay great let me stock up just incase my other one goes out in the future or whatever so I buy 3. Get home try to replace it...still doesn't work. So okay then its probably the socket so I order the new socket which comes today put it in with the new bulb...still doesn't work. I take the new socket and bulb swap it with the good socket on drivers side and it works. Take that socket and try it on the passenger side...no good. What's my next step? Fuse? Bad headlight? Thanks guys...can't stand the rapid turn signal tick anymore haha

Hello, did you have a solution or find out the reason? My 328XI has the exactly the same issue as yours.

[paulm3251]

Originally Posted by kevinyingyang

Hello, did you have a solution or find out the reason? My 328XI has the exactly the same issue as yours.

Bringing it tomorrow for a new headlight which is covered under my warranty

[paulm3251]

Bringing back my old thread but I finally figured it out today! To back up a few months when I brought it back to the place under warranty they said they didn't need to give me a new headlight and that my 'bulb was just out' which was complete bullshit but I just went with it because it worked and that's all that mattered to me. About a month later it was out again so I said fuck that I will figure it out myself or I need a new headlight...I haven't done anything about the issue until today when I decided to experiment what I did was I took some steel wool and 'sanded' down both the headlight connects and the connect on my socket. Then I took a Q tip and coated the inside of the headlight connect with Permatex bulb grease ($2.99 at Advance) and the same on the socket. Screwed it in all the way tight and it didn't work...then I very slowly turned it just a hair towards loose and its back on but still secure. Just posting this to help anyone else out in the same boat since I knew a few of you were asking me what happened. DON'T buy a new headlight until you try this. Hope this helps.

[Game]

Originally Posted by paulm3251

Bringing back my old thread but I finally figured it out today! To back up a few months when I brought it back to the place under warranty they said they didn't need to give me a new headlight and that my 'bulb was just out' which was complete bullshit but I just went with it because it worked and that's all that mattered to me. About a month later it was out again so I said fuck that I will figure it out myself or I need a new headlight...I haven't done anything about the issue until today when I decided to experiment what I did was I took some steel wool and 'sanded' down both the headlight connects and the connect on my socket. Then I took a Q tip and coated the inside of the headlight connect with Permatex bulb grease ($2.99 at Advance) and the same on the socket. Screwed it in all the way tight and it didn't work...then I very slowly turned it just a hair towards loose and its back on but still secure. Just posting this to help anyone else out in the same boat since I knew a few of you were asking me what happened. DON'T buy a new headlight until you try this. Hope this helps.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[paulm3251]

Originally Posted by Game

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah man. I was all set to spend $150 on Amazon for a new Depo headlight to replace it which would have required taking the whole bumper off etc. etc. so I'm really happy that literally $3 and 5 minutes of work fixed it...just trying to help others out too.

[grzes]

if you were at the dealer and they just told you it is burned out bulb why the heck did you let them sell you this BS?? Plus if it happen again shortly after why not going back to the dealer and make them work for it, you would prove that they were wrong and you would get it fixed.

[paulm3251]

Originally Posted by grzes

if you were at the dealer and they just told you it is burned out bulb why the heck did you let them sell you this BS?? Plus if it happen again shortly after why not going back to the dealer and make them work for it, you would prove that they were wrong and you would get it fixed.

They didn't 'sell' me anything. Like I said my main concern was having it work...even knowing that I already replaced the bulb and the socket I went with it because it worked and that was fine by me and my main goal. I have full warranty on the car for 2 years. Its not a BMW dealership as well its a used car dealership. I've had my starter replaced, eccentric shaft sensor etc. and never paid a penny they have been fair. The place is 45 minutes from my house...when it went out the second time I would have had to drive there leave the car and take the train home like I did the first time...wasn't going to do that for an out turn signal in the dead of winter with no loaner. I decided to hold out on it since it doesn't hinder driveability and since then I've pretty much just dealt with it being out. Before I brought it back again I tried to see myself if there was anything I could do to troubleshoot it on my own. Did some research and after a bunch of digging I saw someone who used this method with the steel wool and dielectric grease and I gave it a shot.

[grzes]

oh, sorry, I did not know how hard it is, yes, considering your location and proximity to the dealer makes sense. Glad you manage to fix it

[paulm3251]

Originally Posted by grzes

oh, sorry, I did not know how hard it is, yes, considering your location and proximity to the dealer makes sense. Glad you manage to fix it

No problem man, I should have made that clear from the get go.