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      02-17-2021, 08:45 PM   #1
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Xenon Lights - Highbeam not working and Hazing

Hi everyone,

Being new to owing the e91, I have a few questions relating to the Xenons that I hope you can shed some light on... see what I did there?

1. When I turn on the high beams, only the outer projecter switches to high beam. The outer projector switches from low, to high beam as you'd expect, however, the inner or second projector stays switched off.
Should that projector also light up when the high beam is activated?

2. There's hazing on both lenses, on the inside. It looks as though the heat from the low beam projector has caused a haze/burn on the inside of the lense. Has anyone else experienced this and is the only solution to replace the whole unit.
See the attached for the area I'm referring to.

Cheers, Chris
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      02-17-2021, 10:15 PM   #2
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Hi Chris, not sure about the second point, but for the first, the inner light is only a halogen globe and is only used for flash to pass. It will only light up when you pull back on the indicator stalk to flash your headlights. All High and Low beams are done solely through the outer projector headlights.
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      02-17-2021, 10:30 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shannon1 View Post
Hi Chris, not sure about the second point, but for the first, the inner light is only a halogen globe and is only used for flash to pass. It will only light up when you pull back on the indicator stalk to flash your headlights. All High and Low beams are done solely through the outer projector headlights.
Thanks Shannon... I'm pretty sure that when I pull back on the stalk, the inner (halogen) lights don't light up. I'll check again when I'm out at the car next, to be certain.
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      02-18-2021, 01:38 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shannon1 View Post
Hi Chris, not sure about the second point, but for the first, the inner light is only a halogen globe and is only used for flash to pass. It will only light up when you pull back on the indicator stalk to flash your headlights. All High and Low beams are done solely through the outer projector headlights.
OK, I've just gone out with the car and tested to see if the inner halogen projectors light up when flashing the high beams. Seems they aren't working. Any thoughts aside from blown bulbs? (which I've not checked yet)
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      02-18-2021, 05:51 AM   #5
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I’ve found something interesting, regarding the inner halogens on the E92/93 and E9x LCI models. Apparently they aren’t high beams at all, but instead are a blank projector, but house a bulb for the angel eyes and cornering lights.

Anyone able to confirm that?

Cheers
Chris

Last edited by Su11y; 02-18-2021 at 06:02 AM..
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      02-18-2021, 09:32 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Su11y View Post
I’ve found something interesting, regarding the inner halogens on the E92/93 and E9x LCI models. Apparently they aren’t high beams at all, but instead are a blank projector, but house a bulb for the angel eyes and cornering lights.

Anyone able to confirm that?

Cheers
Chris
Correct the AE bulb sits is inserted into the back of the reflective shell and projects light along the glass angel eye (figure 8) The cornering bulk attaches to a clip that sits on the top of the projector and lights up when cornering
You can see all the internal bits and workings on the headlights in my DIY guide below

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...&highlight=diy
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      02-18-2021, 09:33 AM   #7
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Have not seen heat hazing on the inside of headlights before
Condensate is common but not burn on
Is hard to tell what it is from the picture
If it is burn on then, yes the only way to fix it is to replace the damaged lens with new ones
Bavgruppe in the USA sell genuine lens
Dont buy cheap chinese copies as they dont fit properly
You can change them yourself if you follow the DIY above
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      02-18-2021, 06:32 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Socket View Post
Correct the AE bulb sits is inserted into the back of the reflective shell and projects light along the glass angel eye (figure 8) The cornering bulk attaches to a clip that sits on the top of the projector and lights up when cornering
You can see all the internal bits and workings on the headlights in my DIY guide below

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...&highlight=diy
Thanks for confirming this! I wonder if my e91 has cornering lights then? I've not driven it at night yet, so not sure. Is there an easy way to tell if it has cornering lights?

That DIY you shared is excellent! It looks as though the lights you pulled out and upgraded were pre-LCI, or at lease a little different to mine. I think I might have the sealed units that can't be baked?

I've attached some close ups of the left and right headlights, so you can see the internal burn spots on the outer lenses... Sounds like it might be a case of whole unit replcement if I want pristine looking headlights?

Thanks for your help guys!
Chris
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      02-19-2021, 05:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Su11y View Post
Thanks for confirming this! I wonder if my e91 has cornering lights then? I've not driven it at night yet, so not sure. Is there an easy way to tell if it has cornering lights?

That DIY you shared is excellent! It looks as though the lights you pulled out and upgraded were pre-LCI, or at lease a little different to mine. I think I might have the sealed units that can't be baked?

I've attached some close ups of the left and right headlights, so you can see the internal burn spots on the outer lenses... Sounds like it might be a case of whole unit replcement if I want pristine looking headlights?

Thanks for your help guys!
Chris
You are in Melb yeh? Nate can help you fix the headlights

https://www.facebook.com/LuminanceAutowerke/
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      02-19-2021, 06:39 AM   #10
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You are in Melb yeh? Nate can help you fix the headlights

https://www.facebook.com/LuminanceAutowerke/
Yep, I am in Melbourne! Thanks for the referral! Will check it out.
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      02-19-2021, 09:26 AM   #11
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Don't know if AU headlights differ from US market, but here the inner lenses are cornering lights. They come on as you turn the steering wheel and shoot light towards the corner you're turning into. You can test it by pulling up to a wall, or your garage door, at night, and turn the steering wheel in either direction. The effect is somewhat subtle, but definitely there and helpful. I notice it most coming out of my neighborhood where there is a turn-about that isn't well lit, it lets me see the curb nicely as I come around.
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      02-19-2021, 09:34 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Emilime75 View Post
Don't know if AU headlights differ from US market, but here the inner lenses are cornering lights. They come on as you turn the steering wheel and shoot light towards the corner you're turning into. You can test it by pulling up to a wall, or your garage door, at night, and turn the steering wheel in either direction. The effect is somewhat subtle, but definitely there and helpful. I notice it most coming out of my neighborhood where there is a turn-about that isn't well lit, it lets me see the curb nicely as I come around.
This is true for North American cars (LCI) that have cornering lights (E90 335 and all E92s). The E90 328s w/xenons have a blank for the inner light
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      02-19-2021, 10:14 AM   #13
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Quote:
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This is true for North American cars (LCI) that have cornering lights (E90 335 and all E92s). The E90 328s w/xenons have a blank for the inner light
Not only LCI, also Pre-Lci. My 09 E92 has the xenon with cornering lights
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      02-19-2021, 10:18 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neilvan View Post
This is true for North American cars (LCI) that have cornering lights (E90 335 and all E92s). The E90 328s w/xenons have a blank for the inner light
Interesting, did not know that. Are cornering lights a separate option, or part of the active headlight option(AHL)?

FYI, my car is a US spec, 2010(pre-LCI), E92 335i with AHL. My inner lenses are cornering lights.
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      02-19-2021, 10:21 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Emilime75 View Post
Interesting, did not know that. Are cornering lights a separate option, or part of the active headlight option(AHL)?

FYI, my car is a US spec, 2010(pre-LCI), E92 335i with AHL. My inner lenses are cornering lights.
I believe it's part of AHL
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      02-19-2021, 10:24 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IllSic_Design View Post
Not only LCI, also Pre-Lci. My 09 E92 has the xenon with cornering lights
Interesting, you are right. For the the Pre-LCI E90/E91 the inner unit is a standard hi-beam unit on both the xenon and adaptive xenon units; so it could be coded for cornering, DRL, hi-beam or dual hi-beam

Quote:
Originally Posted by Emilime75 View Post
Interesting, did not know that. Are cornering lights a separate option, or part of the active headlight option(AHL)?

FYI, my car is a US spec, 2010(pre-LCI), E92 335i with AHL. My inner lenses are cornering lights.
If you have adaptive then you got the cornering feature(unless as mentioned above the pre-lci E90 and Pre-lci E60 you could code the inner hi-beam to do the same even though it doesn't have the refractor lens)
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      02-20-2021, 03:13 AM   #17
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wow have not seen this many international visitors since hmmmm well for a very long time... hey fellas You are of course correct, it is a cornering light OP is asking about
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      02-20-2021, 08:47 AM   #18
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wow have not seen this many international visitors since hmmmm well for a very long time... hey fellas You are of course correct, it is a cornering light OP is asking about
What can I say?? The E91 attrcts attention everywhere it goes!

Thanks all... I've established I don't have cornering lights. Instead I've the LCI sealed xenon unit, with blank inner projector, aside from the angel eyes bulb.

Anyone know whether a halogen high beam can be fitted into the blank projector?
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      02-20-2021, 09:00 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Su11y View Post
What can I say?? The E91 attrcts attention everywhere it goes!

Thanks all... I've established I don't have cornering lights. Instead I've the LCI sealed xenon unit, with blank inner projector, aside from the angel eyes bulb.

Anyone know whether a halogen high beam can be fitted into the blank projector?
Hahahha

I dont think there is anywhere to secure a bulb like a halogen HB in the inner projector (if you look at the pics in the guide) that said Nate will give you some options
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      02-21-2021, 05:15 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Hahahha

I dont think there is anywhere to secure a bulb like a halogen HB in the inner projector (if you look at the pics in the guide) that said Nate will give you some options
Thanks mate!
I'll leave the lights as is until I'm ready to replace or repair the lens covers.

While we're on lights, is there a way to test the headlamp washers? I've tried testing by turning the lights on and activating the windsheild washers, but the headlight washers don't seem to want to pop up!

Cheers,
Chris
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      02-21-2021, 08:53 PM   #21
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Thanks mate!
I'll leave the lights as is until I'm ready to replace or repair the lens covers.

While we're on lights, is there a way to test the headlamp washers? I've tried testing by turning the lights on and activating the windsheild washers, but the headlight washers don't seem to want to pop up!

Cheers,
Chris
Headlight washes only come every third or fourth washer event or something like that

I googled "how to test headlight washers on E90" and found this

Start the car and turn on the headlights (move the switch 2 clicks clockwise to "manual on", as opposed to "automatic"). Have someone sit in the driver's seat and pull the washer stalk 5 times for one second each time, with one second between each pull. You should see the washer covers pop up and spray at least once.
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      02-22-2021, 12:29 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Socket View Post
Headlight washes only come every third or fourth washer event or something like that

I googled "how to test headlight washers on E90" and found this

Start the car and turn on the headlights (move the switch 2 clicks clockwise to "manual on", as opposed to "automatic"). Have someone sit in the driver's seat and pull the washer stalk 5 times for one second each time, with one second between each pull. You should see the washer covers pop up and spray at least once.
Mate, you're the most helpful person! Thanks heaps.

Cheers,
Chris
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