Headlamp Indicator

[bmwboi]

Hi guys, have a question about the red headlamp warning indicator. For the past two mornings, the red lamp comes on (and the car indicator illuminates). The bulb is not burnt out though. When I turn on the lights and flick the high beams, the warning light goes away. Is the computer sensing that the light filament is soon to burn out?

 

[silver330i2002]

I feel you

I have the same problem too. My left turn signal light keeps on going off and on. It works and then stops working. Also, my left window is having a hard time rolling up, sounds like it off track or miss aligned, and my moon roof having some problems too.
- problems keep showing up after 60K on my car.
good luck and hope all you guys have better luck with your cars.

 

[bmwrocks]

My left turn signal light keeps on going off and on.

When your turn signal doesn't work, does the turn signal indicator in the car flash rapidly? If it does, this is the car's way of telling you the lamp on the outside is not working. I don't have nearly enough info to help you, but I would try replacing the left bulb (front and/or back) to see if that alleviates the prob. I have seen intermittent signal probs when a bulb was faulty, sometimes working other times not.

 

[DriveWFO]

I have an '02 325i. When I start the car, the headlamp warning indicator lights up (DRLs are on). Whenever I turn the headlights on (XEON), the warning indicator goes out in a few seconds and stays off until I start the car again. Any ideas what is going on here?

 

[DriveWFO]

My headlamp warning light is still going off an on randomly....wtf is causing this?!?!? My headlights and brake lights all work!

 

[DriveWFO]

Fixed!

Turns out my alternator was going bad. I had it replaced (under CPO warranty) and the indicator light is GONE! Car feels a lot more responsive now too [headbang]

 

[Kirby]

This seems to be popping up more and more on the E46 as they get older - bizarre electrical symptoms related to a bad alternator or weak/failing battery. Gotta remember this one, thanks for following up!

 

[DriveWFO]

This seems to be popping up more and more on the E46 as they get older - bizarre electrical symptoms related to a bad alternator or weak/failing battery. Gotta remember this one, thanks for following up!

It turns out the squealing sound I'd hear on for the first few minutes after starting the car was the alternator as well. I thought it was the tensioner pulley. All is well now!

 

[Titan02]

I have an '02 325i. When I start the car, the headlamp warning indicator lights up (DRLs are on). Whenever I turn the headlights on (XEON), the warning indicator goes out in a few seconds and stays off until I start the car again. Any ideas what is going on here?

When I had a similiar problem it ended up being a bad Xenon igniter. Sometimes the headlight indicator would only come on once a week.

Later on I had problems with both taillight indicators. This was caused by corroded taillight "plates". The "plates" are basically the assembly that all the bulbs plug into. I guess since my car has been located so close to the coast the sea spray had eventually worked it's way into these areas. Hope this info helps.