Headlight out/OEM ballast replacement?

Got-BMW? · 07-30-2012, 05:17 PM

So the other day one of our headlights went out. I swapped bulbs and its not the bulb so figured it is the ballast? Any other ideas what it may be if its not the ballast? Xenon lights of course..

With that in mind do any of the board sponsors sell the OEM ballast or replacement equivalent? I searched a couple sites and most places are sold out or don't carry them. http://www.highperformancebulbs.com/bmw3seseeoem.html

Any ideas where I could get one?

Thanks,

Josh

Got-BMW? · 07-31-2012, 11:24 PM

No one has had to replace a ballast?

taranonline · 08-01-2012, 12:15 AM

Ebay has a lot of them. Or getbmwparts.com

Got-BMW? · 08-07-2012, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taranonline

Ebay has a lot of them. Or getbmwparts.com

I haven't found any for an 2006-2008 model.

Most are for 2009-2011 which are different.

Anyone have any ideas for another place with them in stock? Are people actually replacing them or just swapping to an aftermarket ballast set?

Seems silly to pay anywhere from $375-435 for ONE headlight ballast...

trk06 · 08-07-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

I haven't found any for an 2006-2008 model.

Most are for 2009-2011 which are different.

Anyone have any ideas for another place with them in stock? Are people actually replacing them or just swapping to an aftermarket ballast set?

Seems silly to pay anywhere from $375-435 for ONE headlight ballast...

Here you go.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-07-0...ht_5402wt_1182

Got-BMW? · 08-08-2012, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trk06

Here you go.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-07-0...ht_5402wt_1182

Unfortunately that is not for a 06-08 E90/E91. They are different and don't look the same. I don't see how those places get away with advertising the wrong part..

This is what it actually looks like: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-e90-e91-...11%26rk%3D2%26

Price is a bit more than the others for one...

For comparison, this is the 09-11 part: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-09-1...11%26rk%3D3%26

Small changes but NOT interchangeable...

trk06 · 08-08-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

Unfortunately that is not for a 06-08 E90/E91. They are different and don't look the same. I don't see how those places get away with advertising the wrong part..

This is what it actually looks like: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-e90-e91-...11%26rk%3D2%26

Price is a bit more than the others for one...

For comparison, this is the 09-11 part: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-09-1...11%26rk%3D3%26

Small changes but NOT interchangeable...

I hope thats it. Because that is the only one on ebay..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-07-08-09-...#ht_500wt_1201

scanboy · 08-11-2012, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

I haven't found any for an 2006-2008 model.

Most are for 2009-2011 which are different.

Anyone have any ideas for another place with them in stock? Are people actually replacing them or just swapping to an aftermarket ballast set?

Seems silly to pay anywhere from $375-435 for ONE headlight ballast...

+1 just couldn't find anything, pre lci can't be that different from lci, yet tons of lci for around $135, while very few pre lci or they r over $400

UndergroundEuros · 08-11-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scanboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

I haven't found any for an 2006-2008 model.

Most are for 2009-2011 which are different.

Anyone have any ideas for another place with them in stock? Are people actually replacing them or just swapping to an aftermarket ballast set?

Seems silly to pay anywhere from $375-435 for ONE headlight ballast...

+1 just couldn't find anything, pre lci can't be that different from lci, yet tons of lci for around $135, while very few pre lci or they r over $400

We carry them for 150.00 but it's not on the site yet

scanboy · 08-11-2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ****************

We carry them for 150.00 but it's not on the site yet

So we can call in and order one now?

jdigga99 · 08-13-2012, 11:24 AM

Bump....just had a headlight go out....

BoostedE90 · 08-13-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdigga99

Bump....just had a headlight go out....

I would recommend you try the link to HPB in the original post. thats where I got mine and had no issues. Also try Jeff at TGS. He works pretty close with HPB.

EDIT: Here is the part number 63126948180. you can do a quick search and see what pops up. Everything that turned up for me was pretty expensive. I only found one ballast that was reasonable: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-HEADLIGH...871e17&vxp=mtr

jdigga99 · 08-13-2012, 11:42 AM

Thanks, i'll try both this week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoostedE90

I would recommend you try the link to HPB in the original post. thats where I got mine and had no issues. Also try Jeff at TGS. He works pretty close with HPB.

EDIT: Here is the part number 63126948180. you can do a quick search and see what pops up. Everything that turned up for me was pretty expensive. I only found one ballast that was reasonable: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-HEADLIGH...871e17&vxp=mtr

Recon2005 · 08-23-2012, 11:55 PM

My E90 just had the driver's side headlight go out. Is the ballast the typical culprit or should I troubleshoot elsewhere first? TIA

getBMWparts · 09-05-2012, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

I haven't found any for an 2006-2008 model.

Most are for 2009-2011 which are different.

Anyone have any ideas for another place with them in stock? Are people actually replacing them or just swapping to an aftermarket ballast set?

Seems silly to pay anywhere from $375-435 for ONE headlight ballast...

The genuine BMW ballasts run $469.18 @ MSRP. Our online price is $375.34 each. Let me know if you need any assistance!

UndergroundEuros · 09-05-2012, 07:03 PM

We carry ballast for 150.00 just like oem

Alan335Xi · 01-13-2014, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

So the other day one of our headlights went out. I swapped bulbs and its not the bulb so figured it is the ballast? Any other ideas what it may be if its not the ballast? Xenon lights of course..

Josh

@ 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!

bmw325i · 01-14-2014, 03:54 AM

Quote:

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!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-08-BMW-3-...item46186107be

Alan335Xi · 01-14-2014, 07:36 AM

Ty! Will check it out.

fazman · 02-01-2014, 07:15 PM

my driver side headlight went out this week. the inner bulb still works an i still get my rings. The center of the bulb is cloudy... i tried 2 different bulbs and nothing from both. i'm guessing ballast?? so what is the best way to remove the ballast and which is the best replacement source for a ballast??

Alan335Xi · 02-01-2014, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

my driver side headlight went out this week. the inner bulb still works an i still get my rings. The center of the bulb is cloudy... i tried 2 different bulbs and nothing from both. i'm guessing ballast?? so what is the best way to remove the ballast and which is the best replacement source for a ballast??

checkout my thread "www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=934682"

as mentioned, cloudy center does not necessarily mean bad bulb. mine turned out to be the Control Unit. There is a DIY in this forum to replace it without removing the headlight involving shaving the 3rd tab to enable installing the Control Unit with the headlight in place.
I opted to remove the headlight and have easy access to all 3 mounting tabs using a T20 socket.
Also be careful - there is a residual capacitance charge when you unplug the metal connector.
I used this
"www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2gMEFgRgio"
to remove the front bumper and headlight. In my case I also had to remove the headlight washer cover. Rest was easy. I got the Control Unit from Jason@Tischer (GetBMWParts.com)
Hope this helps.

fazman · 02-01-2014, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan335Xi

checkout my thread "www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=934682"

as mentioned, cloudy center does not necessarily mean bad bulb. mine turned out to be the Control Unit. There is a DIY in this forum to replace it without removing the headlight involving shaving the 3rd tab to enable installing the Control Unit with the headlight in place.
I opted to remove the headlight and have easy access to all 3 mounting tabs using a T20 socket.
Also be careful - there is a residual capacitance charge when you unplug the metal connector.
I used this
"www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2gMEFgRgio"
to remove the front bumper and headlight. In my case I also had to remove the headlight washer cover. Rest was easy. I got the Control Unit from Jason@Tischer (GetBMWParts.com)
Hope this helps.

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.

07-30-2012, 05:17 PM	#1
Got-BMW? Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Houston TX iTrader: (0)	Headlight out/OEM ballast replacement? So the other day one of our headlights went out. I swapped bulbs and its not the bulb so figured it is the ballast? Any other ideas what it may be if its not the ballast? Xenon lights of course.. With that in mind do any of the board sponsors sell the OEM ballast or replacement equivalent? I searched a couple sites and most places are sold out or don't carry them. http://www.highperformancebulbs.com/bmw3seseeoem.html Any ideas where I could get one? Thanks, Josh __________________ *2007 E90-328i (Sparkling Graphite w/Black Leather & Alum)* *ZPP // ZSP // ZCW // 205 // 322 // 417 // 507 // 522 // 4AD*
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-31-2012, 11:24 PM	#2
Got-BMW? Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Houston TX iTrader: (0)	No one has had to replace a ballast? __________________ *2007 E90-328i (Sparkling Graphite w/Black Leather & Alum)* *ZPP // ZSP // ZCW // 205 // 322 // 417 // 507 // 522 // 4AD*
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2012, 12:15 AM	#3
taranonline Banned 28 Rep 494 Posts Drives: Man Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Usa iTrader: (0)	Ebay has a lot of them. Or getbmwparts.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-13-2012, 11:24 AM	#11
jdigga99 New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Katy, TX iTrader: (0)	Bump....just had a headlight go out.... __________________ E90 330i Sport Pkg Premium Pkg Plenty more to come...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-23-2012, 11:55 PM	#14
Recon2005 New Member 0 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	My E90 just had the driver's side headlight go out. Is the ballast the typical culprit or should I troubleshoot elsewhere first? TIA
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-05-2012, 07:03 PM	#16
UndergroundEuros Banned 44 Rep 1,221 Posts Drives: 335I Alphina White Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida iTrader: (9)	We carry ballast for 150.00 just like oem
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-14-2014, 07:36 AM	#19
Alan335Xi Enlisted Member 2 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Ty! Will check it out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2014, 07:15 PM	#20
fazman Brigadier General 693 Rep 3,696 Posts Drives: 335 e90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	my driver side headlight went out this week. the inner bulb still works an i still get my rings. The center of the bulb is cloudy... i tried 2 different bulbs and nothing from both. i'm guessing ballast?? so what is the best way to remove the ballast and which is the best replacement source for a ballast??
	Appreciate 0 Quote