Making regular xenon headlight adaptive

[patzkata]

Hi

I recently purchased a second hand x5 f15 2015 which was originally equipped with adaptive xenon,
But the car had small front damage before i purchased it, where the guy replaced the original headlights with basic non-adaptive.
My question is, is it possible to upgrade the headlight again to become adaptive with adding the adaptive motor and /or some coding. Did someone ever tried that?

Thank you

[TOPEC]

if the vehicle came with adaptive xenons and was replaced with non adaptive housings (if there is such a headlight housing version available), then the vehicle should sense the adaptive motors not responding and throw an error... unless its been coded out.

silly question, but are you turning on your headlights by turning the headlight switch left 1 click, to the "auto" position, or turning right 2 click to the "on" position? adaptive only works in the auto position.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

...adaptive only works in the auto position.

eh, wut?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

...are you turning on your headlights by turning the headlight switch left 1 click, to the "auto" position, or turning right 2 click to the "on" position? adaptive only works in the auto position.

Originally Posted by smyles

eh, wut?

Yes...for the adaptive features to work...it says right in the owners manual that the headlight switch needs to be in the "A" (auto position). See the section about "activation" from the owners manual below

[smyles]

i don't think it says that

[alphaod]

Qsilver7 literally posted a clipping of the owner’s manual.

[turboawd]

What headlights do you have? Halogen reflector style?

[smyles]

I don't believe BMW would disable adaptive function when switched to manual; I'll check when I get to it. If they indeed built in such feature, I'd be puzzled, to say the least.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by smyles

I don't believe BMW would disable adaptive function when switched to manual; I'll check when I get to it. If they indeed built in such feature, I'd be puzzled, to say the least.

All bmws with adaptive lights, don't move when manually turned on.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by smyles

I don't believe BMW would disable adaptive function when switched to manual; I'll check when I get to it. If they indeed built in such feature, I'd be puzzled, to say the least.

Every BMW I've owned with adaptive headlights requires the headlight switch to be on auto headlights. It's pretty easy to see them adapt in this setting, and not adapt when not in this setting.

I still don't think they're a big deal, they definitely rotate a bit on turns, but it's nothing substantial.

[patzkata]

Hi
Thanks for the answers.
The car has some errors with the headlights when checked with a computer.

I am driving the car in Europe, so the switch is aways to Auto mode, and the headlights turn on automatically when gets dark, but not and the high beams.

The headlights also do not turn left/right when turning the wheel.

Do you think i can code the auto high beams if i follow the coding thread for this.
Also i see that in Ebay i can find motors which makes the headlight turning left/right, so does anyone knows if i add motors i can make them turning l/r?

[smyles]

For auto high beams you need a camera - do you have one (behind the rear-view mirror)? Also the left stalk should have a button for it

[unluky]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Every BMW I've owned with adaptive headlights requires the headlight switch to be on auto headlights. It's pretty easy to see them adapt in this setting, and not adapt when not in this setting.

I still don't think they're a big deal, they definitely rotate a bit on turns, but it's nothing substantial.

I agree - the ones on my older BMW were pretty underwhelming, but the ones on my F15 WITH the VLD coded on are quite impressive and very noticeable.

Probably the best lighting I have had on a vehicle, when the ones I modified to be better! LOL

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by patzkata

Hi
Thanks for the answers.
The car has some errors with the headlights when checked with a computer.

I am driving the car in Europe, so the switch is aways to Auto mode, and the headlights turn on automatically when gets dark, but not and the high beams.

The headlights also do not turn left/right when turning the wheel.

Do you think i can code the auto high beams if i follow the coding thread for this.
Also i see that in Ebay i can find motors which makes the headlight turning left/right, so does anyone knows if i add motors i can make them turning l/r?

ok so u have ur headlight set to auto but it does not move. so most likely when the headlights were replaced, they just replaced the housing and not the motors. u should be able to source some adaptive motors and recode them so they move in all 4 directions according to vehicle load and steering input. as for the auto high beam, that involves quite a bit of work, if ur car didnt include that option from the factory then its too much of a hassle to get working.

[MK2018]

Originally Posted by unluky

I agree - the ones on my older BMW were pretty underwhelming, but the ones on my F15 WITH the VLD coded on are quite impressive and very noticeable.

Probably the best lighting I have had on a vehicle, when the ones I modified to be better! LOL

100%

I have that coded too

[patzkata]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

ok so u have ur headlight set to auto but it does not move. so most likely when the headlights were replaced, they just replaced the housing and not the motors. u should be able to source some adaptive motors and recode them so they move in all 4 directions according to vehicle load and steering input. as for the auto high beam, that involves quite a bit of work, if ur car didnt include that option from the factory then its too much of a hassle to get working.

Hi Topec,

Thank you, that was actually my question. If ij manage to find motors if it will be enough to make them moving left and right again, or it will be more than this.
Not sure if the current headlight housings will support upgrade.
Also i've heard that there are two type of modules which controls the headlights - for adaptive and non-adaptive headlights, so may be i will need to replace that too. What do you think?
Lights have auto leveling atm.

As for the auto high beam, here is what the car was originally equipped with according to the VIN

Driver Assistance And Lightning
S502A Headlight Cleaning System
S508A Park Distance Control PDC
S563A Light Package
S575A Socket Trunk Incl 2 Batteries
S5A1A LEDNEBELSCHEINWERFER
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights

[turboawd]

What is the part number of your lights?

[patzkata]

Originally Posted by turboawd

What is the part number of your lights?

I have to see if i am able see it, as i believe it is at the bottom side of the headlight, which are already on the car