If I put anything other than the halogen bulb in my E36 M3 I get a low beam failure, does anyone know how to fix it so a ballast will not give me this warning light/message?
-
-
1) Run 55W ballasts. They are closer to drawing the amount of power a halogen bulb draws, so they're less likely to throw an error code. Contact a vendor familiar with E36s and see what 55W ballasts they can vouch for in terms of being error code free. I've been running the same 55W'ers since 2007 and haven't had an error code yet.
2) Get LBF eliminator modules. They plug Inbetween the ballast and the wiring and are said to eliminate the error code. I can't vouch for how well these work.
3) Disable check control function on the OBC. You can't separate out certain functions and disable them. But you can disable that feature altogether.
It's worth mentioning that a good halogen bulb will have better output than a HID plug and play kit. So there's a much more simple solution to your problem. -
As ricer as it is, I have the HID kit from Khoalty in my E36 and they look good and have no error codes. Been running them a few years now without any issues. Just make sure you have a Euro-type projector headlight such as ZKW, Bosch, Depo, etc so it looks right.Comment
-
There is a bulb out indicator system on the E36 that senses voltage differentials from expected, and gives you the error message. In the old days, people would disable that system by cutting it out and splicing the wires back together. I did this. You can find the details with some searching (maybe in the Lighting section at Bimmerforums or maybe elsewhere online).
There are also low beam failure eliminator devices, perhaps just resistors, that can be installed. Not sure where you buy these, but may ebay, *******, or other e36 lighting specialists.
Good quality HIDs in glass lensed headlight housings will give you little trouble and a lot more light. I have been running a set of Depos for 7 years without issue. My original HID kit lost a bulb and developed an intermitent ballast about a year ago and I found it cheaper to just buy a new set. There is a guy over on bimmerforums under the screen name of MarketMaster who knows a lot about HIDs and was recommending a certain brand at the time as a good and reasonably priced so I bought that, but cannot remember the name. I never did any of the improved projector stuff that he also recommends (I run the glass Depos as they came).Comment
-
I actually stumbled on to this and it works great
_________________________________________
OBCLBF Procedure
1. Press the 1000 and 10 keys simultaneously. You should see Test-Nr.: appear in the display. Enter 19.
2. The display should read LOCK:ON. Then enter an unlocking code consisting of the sum of the current month plus date (for example, if today is July 11, enter 18). Then press SET/RES, and the OBC is now unlocked.
3. The OBC should now ask you for a TEST CODE: ... Enter 11. You should see something like "Einheit B - X" (Write this # down to reverse it when you need too) . Hit the "1" button until the display reads "B7". Then hit "Set/Res"
You've now turned OFF the Check Control feature of your OBC. The other features like time, speed, temp, consum, etc. will all still work. Only the CODE one won't.
NOW PLEASE READ BELOW ABOUT WHAT THE CHECK CONTROL DOES AND WHAT WILL NO LONGER WORK...
Check Module:
The "check module" system consists of the following components:
Check module
Connected lamps
Level sensors for wash water and coolant
Scope of Functions Check Module:
The check module monitors the light sources of the vehicle (when switched on) which are important for road safety.
In addition, the wash water and coolant levels are evaluated by the check module and signaled to the on-board computer.
The check module is active for as long as terminal "R" (ignition switch position 1) is switched on.
Scope of Check Module Monitoring Functions:
The check module monitors following lamp circuits:
Left and right low beam.Comment
Comment