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Thread: So when one head light is dimmer then the other

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    Barrie Ontario, Canada
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    Default So when one head light is dimmer then the other

    WHen one headlight is dimmer then the other does this mean i need a new bulb or that a connection is loose???

    any help would be great




    J.McWatters

  2. #2
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    Derbyshire, UK
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    Quote Originally Posted by McWatters
    WHen one headlight is dimmer then the other does this mean i need a new bulb or that a connection is loose???
    Yes. Could be dust on the reflector, too.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
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    Are you sure the 'dimmer' light is pointed up and hasen't fallen down? Pull your car close up to a wall to make sure. Otherwise I would suggest flip flopping the bulbs. Put the left bulb in the right harness and the right bulb in the left harness. If the wiring is bad the problem light will not move, if the bulb is bad the problem light will move.

    Present: Black 1995 525i | Past: Red 1989 535i; Black 1985 535i

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by SchnellE34
    Are you sure the 'dimmer' light is pointed up and hasen't fallen down? Pull your car close up to a wall to make sure. Otherwise I would suggest flip flopping the bulbs. Put the left bulb in the right harness and the right bulb in the left harness. If the wiring is bad the problem light will not move, if the bulb is bad the problem light will move.

    Also - i have had this issue with my city lights... pull the bulb and look at the glass, see if you can see whether or not the bulb is burnt out (broken filament) but is arcing. I have had bulbs burn out (which shouldn't turn on) but the filaments fall in such a way that they still light but not as bright (since it is not correct).

  5. #5
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    Apr 2004
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    Switching the bulbs side to side is a good approach - if a problem shows that is not the bulb, grab the multimeter and determine ohms resistance on each sockets ground wire. It should indicate <1 ohm. If the grounds are good, flip to voltage and measure both high & low beam sockets of each side. With the engine running, ~+14v is expected ( ~ 12.3v off battery only).

  6. #6
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    Mar 2005
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    thanks for the tips ill get on that during this week. Just for knowledge how durable are these bulbs do i have to be super careful when im pulling them oout?? or what



    J.McWatters

  7. #7
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    Dec 2004
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    Quote Originally Posted by McWatters
    thanks for the tips ill get on that during this week. Just for knowledge how durable are these bulbs do i have to be super careful when im pulling them oout?? or what



    J.McWatters
    Basically, yes. Make sure the glass of the bulb doesn't touch anything during removal or installation.

    Present: Black 1995 525i | Past: Red 1989 535i; Black 1985 535i

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