E91 Adaptive headlight adjustment

team7 · 10-04-2023, 10:18 AM

Ive got a 2011 E91 and I replaced the xenon bulb last night. If you have done this before there is a metal retaining clip that wraps around the back of the bulb and clips at the top. When I was putting pressure on this to clip it in place the adaptive headlight was "clicking" around. I figured once I started the car it would self adjust. I can see when the car starts it tries to adjust but wont.

Question is, if I go back in there how do I know when the headlight is in a "neutral" position so the self aiming can take over? I feel like the issue is I have moved the light outside of its range of motion and I need to get it back to the neutral state.

BB_cuda · 10-23-2023, 02:38 PM

There is up/down and left/right movement. Normally, when you start up the lights go down and then level up to right height. There are 2 motors that cause these movements. The left/right is built into the base of the projector and the up down is a motor that is inboard of the projector. The projector is mounted to what is called a gymbal. The motor attaches to the inboard side of the gymbal. See if that is lose. I'll look and see if i have a picture some where.
EDIT: I hunted through hard drive and don't have the picture. I had another pc that died and it may have had the pictures I remembered. Sorry

BB_cuda · 10-23-2023, 03:12 PM

I spoke too soon. Here is picture. This is from E90 LCI adaptive. E91 and E90 are same in this regard

10-04-2023, 10:18 AM	#1
team7 Enlisted Member 15 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2009 328ix Wagon Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Fishers, IN iTrader: (0)	E91 Adaptive headlight adjustment Ive got a 2011 E91 and I replaced the xenon bulb last night. If you have done this before there is a metal retaining clip that wraps around the back of the bulb and clips at the top. When I was putting pressure on this to clip it in place the adaptive headlight was "clicking" around. I figured once I started the car it would self adjust. I can see when the car starts it tries to adjust but wont. Question is, if I go back in there how do I know when the headlight is in a "neutral" position so the self aiming can take over? I feel like the issue is I have moved the light outside of its range of motion and I need to get it back to the neutral state.
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10-23-2023, 02:38 PM	#2
BB_cuda Brigadier General 796 Rep 3,572 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	There is up/down and left/right movement. Normally, when you start up the lights go down and then level up to right height. There are 2 motors that cause these movements. The left/right is built into the base of the projector and the up down is a motor that is inboard of the projector. The projector is mounted to what is called a gymbal. The motor attaches to the inboard side of the gymbal. See if that is lose. I'll look and see if i have a picture some where. EDIT: I hunted through hard drive and don't have the picture. I had another pc that died and it may have had the pictures I remembered. Sorry Last edited by BB_cuda; 10-23-2023 at 03:04 PM..
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10-23-2023, 03:12 PM	#3
BB_cuda Brigadier General 796 Rep 3,572 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	I spoke too soon. Here is picture. This is from E90 LCI adaptive. E91 and E90 are same in this regard Attached Images Last edited by BB_cuda; 10-23-2023 at 03:22 PM..
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