[Alan335Xi]

Originally Posted by fazman

Awesome!!! Just what i needed to know. Its a little more of a PITA than a japanese car... But not that hard. It would probably take me a good 30 mins to do all of this. Not sure why bmw couldn't have placed the ballast in an easy to get to spot?

We need som cross pollination of german engineers with Japanese simplicity.

Indeed!

[Got-BMW?]

Originally Posted by Alan335Xi

@ Josh: Ugh. Identical just happened ... so I removed the bulb with the intent to diagnose using the working xennon on the other side; however, upon inspection, the HID bulb looked cloudy in the center so I figured, yup, it's the bulb and installed a new one. Switched the headlights on, it flashed, once, and went out! Should've stuck with the original plan; at least I'd have blown a 5yr old bulb, not one of the new pair. So, that said, like you I'm thinking voltage surge ... Control Unit? Did it turn out to be the culprit in your case? Any other possibility? The least expensive Control Unit 63126948180 I can find (that looks like mine with the open third tab) is $372 and that's from a BMW dealer!! Anyone buy one new recently for less? I appreciate any advise ... as luck would have it, my inspection is due this month!

Sorry I didn't get back to you.

Yes, it ended up being the Ballast and repaired that in about 5-minutes. You don't need to take out the headlights like everyone claims. Just remove the hex bolts and slide it out on each side.

Part#: 63126948180

If you shop around you can find them for $370 for a BMW direct replacement. I found some cheaper from China but wasn't willing to take a chance. If you are worried about ordering it, just swap the driver and passenger side ballasts quick and see if it works. If the other ballast lights up your current bulb then you know that's what it is...



After I fixed that, a few months later I got a warning light for headlight control and the lights would stop turning with the steering after about a minute of driving. That ended up being the adaptive headlamp control unit.

Part#: 63127189312

Dealer and a few people on here said you can't install it because it has to be programmed. Well that is incorrect, you can just plug and play and it works fine.

Also, when changing out any of the headlight parts DO NOT TAKE OFF THE BUMPER LIKE EVERYONE SAYS!!! It takes about 5-minutes to remove a front wheel and inner fender lining to access everything under the lights. MUCH MUCH easier than taking off the front end and removing the headlights which don't need to be removed!


Let me know if anyone has any questions!

[e90_want_e92]

Had to troubleshoot my xenon lights today turns out my drivers side ballast too

[Got-BMW?]

Wish you would have read my response before you took off the entire front end..lol.

[techwhiz]

My headlight went out yesterday.
Got home and swapped the bulbs. No need to even jack the car up.
Look in the owners manual. Remove access panels in the fender well.
You need to remove those to get the bulb in/out.
Working from the hood you do need a small screw driver to get the cover off.
You also need a small screwdriver to get the retainers off the bulbs.

Anyway 30-40 Minutes.
My ballast on the passenger side is done.
I ordered new ones but that is when the fender liner is going to need to come out.
Less room on the passenger side because I have the oil cooler.
It's going to be fun...... Not.

[Reckless335]

I don't mean to thread jack, but does anyone make upgraded ballasts for OEM lights? It is my understanding that OEM ballasts are 35 watt. Does anyone make a 55 watt ballast for an upgrade?

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by latino1ny

I don't mean to thread jack, but does anyone make upgraded ballasts for OEM lights? It is my understanding that OEM ballasts are 35 watt. Does anyone make a 55 watt ballast for an upgrade?

Not that I know of.

Also, I changed my ballasts a little while ago.
No need to pull fender liner or lift wheels off the ground.
It can be completely done through the access panel and under the hood.

I have a 335i with the sport package and oil cooler.
You will need to make room by removing the plastic vacuum boosters or whatever on the passenger side.

The oil cooler stuff is a little in the way but you can move it enough to get them changed.

Yay, I have a passenger headlight again.

[chinko]

My driver side DRL is out and it's not the bulb. What's the difference between the Xenon Control Unit (~500$) and the DRL Control Unit (100$)? Not sure which one I need.
Car is a 2008 E92 N54

[ItsCoo2PYoPants]

I'm having an issue with a 2009 M3 with 40k miles. Driver side headlight bulb is not working. I have tried to replace the bulb with no luck. Im thinking it might be the ballast itself. Is it possible to R&R the ballast without taking off the headlight?

40k miles seems a bit low to be having problems like this. My 2002 with 140k miles is still on original bulbs and ballast in the 2009 it looks like the ballast has been replaced already. Manufacturer date of 2013..

[Motorsport.Nick]

Has anyone had experiences with the ebay ballasts? I'm finding them for around $75 Part#: 63126948180


I don't feel like spending $400 - let me know if you have any feed back!

[Alan335Xi]

Unfortunately when I replaced mine least expensive I could find available on ebay was over $250 so I spent the extra $75 and went with Tischer. So far no prob. The control unit does interface with both HID (incl ballast integral with bulb) and Footwell module, so buyer beware. Good luck hope it works out.

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by Motorsport.Nick

Has anyone had experiences with the ebay ballasts? I'm finding them for around $75 Part#: 63126948180


I don't feel like spending $400 - let me know if you have any feed back!

I replaced mine with eBay items.
Cost $150 for a pair. Same seller is now $250.

Anyway, they can be changed from the top only.
Hands get scratched up but it is possible. I did it.

[Motorsport.Nick]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

I replaced mine with eBay items.
Cost $150 for a pair. Same seller is now $250.

Anyway, they can be changed from the top only.
Hands get scratched up but it is possible. I did it.

Thanks for the feed back bud. I just ordered a new one from fleabay.

[jmedarts]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

I replaced mine with eBay items.
Cost $150 for a pair. Same seller is now $250.

Anyway, they can be changed from the top only.
Hands get scratched up but it is possible. I did it.

Any clues on how to do this? I am working on the drivers side. I have the 2 torx screws out, and have worked the oval protrusion out completely, so I can see the entire gasket. But it just does not want to come free, feels like something is caught towards the front of the car. I can look down in there under the x-member and see it wiggle but it won't let go. The pic of the ballast on realOEM shows a U shaped bracket on that end, it seems like there must be some sort of screw holding it on.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[jvidamins]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I thought it'd be worth mentioning there's an ebay seller selling one for $65 each with a 4 yr warranty. Just bought one of these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/321245273967

Also, here's a good DIY on how to replace ballasts:

[PADeutsch]

Originally Posted by jvidamins

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I thought it'd be worth mentioning there's an ebay seller selling one for $65 each with a 4 yr warranty. Just bought one of these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/321245273967

Also, here's a good DIY on how to replace ballasts:

Perfect timing to dig this up. Just had the same issue and needed some guidance.

[chrisbmw90]

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

Sorry I didn't get back to you.

Yes, it ended up being the Ballast and repaired that in about 5-minutes. You don't need to take out the headlights like everyone claims. Just remove the hex bolts and slide it out on each side.

Part#: 63126948180

If you shop around you can find them for $370 for a BMW direct replacement. I found some cheaper from China but wasn't willing to take a chance. If you are worried about ordering it, just swap the driver and passenger side ballasts quick and see if it works. If the other ballast lights up your current bulb then you know that's what it is...



After I fixed that, a few months later I got a warning light for headlight control and the lights would stop turning with the steering after about a minute of driving. That ended up being the adaptive headlamp control unit.

Part#: 63127189312

Dealer and a few people on here said you can't install it because it has to be programmed. Well that is incorrect, you can just plug and play and it works fine.

Also, when changing out any of the headlight parts DO NOT TAKE OFF THE BUMPER LIKE EVERYONE SAYS!!! It takes about 5-minutes to remove a front wheel and inner fender lining to access everything under the lights. MUCH MUCH easier than taking off the front end and removing the headlights which don't need to be removed!


Let me know if anyone has any questions!

can you show me a picture of where the hex bolts are?