Lights flickering when switched on

[ah-singh]

Hi All, Im having a problem with my e39 (year 99), the lights flickers once switched on (doesnt matter high or low)...Anyone encountered such problems before ? Seems like there is disturbance in the supply voltage ??

 

[jarance]

Is your light original or have been modified?

HID or halogen bulb?

Does the flicker happen all the time after you switch on the headlight or it only flicker for a few seconds after you have switched on?

The flicker usually happened when you have changed from halogen to HID. This is one of the feature of the LCM module which will check for all the bulb filament condition during the first start up.

 

[ah-singh]

Hi jarance, thanks for the reply. Yes it has been converted from halogen to HID. It continuously flickers the minute the lights are switched on.

 

[jarance]

You have a wiring issue. The person who did the conversion did not do it properly. He have wired the negative of the ballast unit directly to the body of the car. The wireman should have used back the negative terminal at the socket. This is required to complete the control loop for the LCM module checking.

I may be wrong cos I seldom play with E39.

btw, did you do this yourself or somebody did this for you?

 

[ah-singh]

The HID unit was installed by the previous owner. I will try to re-install the original halogen bulbs and give it a try. Thanks for the tip jarance !

 

[aidilj]

The flickering is also caused by the output to the halogen bulb being PWM, the pulse width from the LCM can be coded to have higher duty cycle or eliminated by adding a large enough capacitor across the input. Adding a capacitor will also pass bulb check.

 

[jarance]

The flickering is also caused by the output to the halogen bulb being PWM, the pulse width from the LCM can be coded to have higher duty cycle or eliminated by adding a large enough capacitor across the input. Adding a capacitor will also pass bulb check.

Problem is his problem is that the flickering is continuous whenever the headlight is on.

The capacitor or dummy load resistor can be used for "passing" the bulb check as mentioned by you.

Did you remember when we have the DIY session for SMD LED at ToyzMech.
Only the E46 CI have this issue whereas the other E46 and E36 did not have the flickering problem.
I traced the problem to the return line (or negative) for the bulb at the socket.
After I rewired the negative to the return line at the socket, the flickering stop.

I think ah singh may have the same problem.

 

[ah-singh]

Hi Guys, im also trying my luck in looking for the drivers seat only (non automatic) for my e39 (only 1 piece), condition of covers does not matter.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

seems like the ballast is going end it's life ...

 

[ah-singh]

Hi Iceman, the lights flickers even before the headlights are switched on. Is it still related with the ballast ?

 

[jarance]

Hi Iceman, the lights flickers even before the headlights are switched on. Is it still related with the ballast ?

to check the ballast, just remove the wiring from the headlight socket and connect it directly to the Positive terminal (+) and negative terminal (-) or car body.

if the HID light up and does not flicker then the HID is OK.

btw, chances of both ballast failing at the same time is very rare. I presume both of your HIDs is flickering and not just one of them.

 

[haywire]

Hi Guys, im also trying my luck in looking for the drivers seat only (non automatic) for my e39 (only 1 piece), condition of covers does not matter.

Hi bro, you are in JB? In KL its quite easy to find the seats, but not sure if they want ti sell just one bro.

 

[macgy]

could b earthing contact, chk all d -ve wire to d car body, tighten any loose screw.

 

[ah-singh]

Hi guys its not the ballast....Car is currently undergoing a Graphite Grey paint job and shall continue investigation once shes out !

 

[ah-singh]

View attachment 27071


Just got her painted Graphite Grey ! Next is for some interior job !

 

[ICEMAN 68]

wow nice car there mr singh

 

[ah-singh]

Thanks yaara !

 

[greddyevo]

nice car bro.. lets meet up for our Cha and chu time..hehehe

 

[bmw7833]

Nice, very nice..more picture pls. Is this grey the typical grey for e90?

 

[ah-singh]

View attachment 27072View attachment 27073