Under the headlight housing is where you’ll find the adaptive headlight module. It is also known as the Adaptive Headlight Drive Control Unit Lighting Module or the less catchy Stepper Motor Controller (SMC) (ALC). Water is the primary reason the adaptive headlamp module fails. This may occur for a variety of causes, including driving through flooding or severe rain or going through a car wash. Your BMW’s dashboard will thereafter show the adaptive malfunction error message when this occurs.
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Reasons why adaptive headlights malfunction
The most frequent reason for adaptive headlamp failure is water or condensation inside the headlight because the moisture can harm the adaptive headlight module. If the headlamp does not contain any moisture or condensation, a broken or worn-out component may be to blame for the adaptive headlights’ failure. The potential causes of your adaptive headlights failing and malfunctioning include the following:
- Broken or cracked headlight: If water enters the headlight of your car, it could harm the adaptive headlight module.
- Damaged or improperly closed headlight access door: The headlight access door has a seal that keeps moisture and water out of the headlamp. It is possible for water to enter the headlamp and harm the adaptive headlight module if the seal is broken or the access door is not closed completely.
- Malfunctioning Adaptable Stepper Motor: The adaptive stepper motor, which is also housed in the headlamp, rotates the light projector to the left or right. The projector cannot be turned if the motor is damaged or the connection between the motor and the projector breaks down.
- Failed Adaptive Headlight Module/Stepper Motor Controller: Water may enter the headlight when you drive through a car wash, flood, or a lot of rain. The adaptive headlight module, also known as the stepper motor controller, is found near the bottom of the headlamp, where the water will flow straight downward. The module will thereafter be damaged and shortened by the water.
What Could Go Wrong With Your Adaptive Headlight and How to Avoid It
The presence of water or moisture inside your headlight is one of the main reasons your vehicle’s adaptive headlights could malfunction. This is a frequent issue that can be brought on by water harming the adaptive headlight module after entering the headlamp through a crack or the headlight access door. However, a vehicle’s adaptive lights can malfunction in other situations besides water.
A worn-out or damaged component inside the headlamp can occasionally cause the headlights to fail. Take into account the following potential causes of your adaptive headlights failing and what you can do to try to avoid it because of how crucial they are to driving safety:
- Failed Stepper Motor Controller/Adaptive Headlight Module: The stepper motor controller, also referred to as the adaptive headlight module, is situated at the base of the headlight. In the event of heavy downpours, flash floods, or car washes, water may enter the headlamp and go directly to the stepper motor controller. The module is shortened and damaged by water. The dashboard of your car displays an adaptive function error warning as a result.
- Cracked Headlight: The adaptive headlight module is more likely to be harmed by water entering a headlight that is broken or cracked. Regularly inspecting your headlights will ensure there is no damage. You should take your car to a shop to have the headlight replaced if you find a crack in it.
- Access Door Behind Headlight Loose: Water is supposed to be kept out of the headlight by a seal on the access door behind the vehicle’s headlight. Water will enter the headlight if the access door is not properly shut after the bulb has been changed or if the seal has become faulty. Make sure the headlight access door on your car is correctly sealed, and check the seal for any damage.
- A malfunctioning adaptable stepper motor is in charge of rotating the low/high beam projector to the right or left and is also housed inside the headlamp. This motor’s connection to the low/high beam projector may break, it may get loose or damaged, and it may malfunction.
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The Service Adviser mentioned two modules that might be to blame when I spoke with them on the phone. Do you think that makes sense?
Do you primarily do light work? What doesn’t function? My turn signal and DRL were not functional, but my main light was. I received notifications indicating both the adaptive light error and everything else were out.
The module was indeed out, as we had thought.
However, it also harmed the headlight’s connectors. You can remove the module to check for damage and use a flashlight to inspect the area where it attaches to the headlight to see if it has corroded like mine did. In the end, I was able to locate a secondhand light that had every component, and my indy easily programmed it. The dealer should not be used for repairs as each headlight is controlled by a single module.
How can you tell if your car has BMW adaptable headlights?
On them, it says BMW adaptable LED. Are those the ones that have a line extending from the inner side of the lights toward the grills? The LEDs on the non-adaptive headlights are positioned on a plate at the top end. The adaptive position them in the center of the headlamp (horizontally).
Are my BMW’s LED headlights adaptive?
As we move up the model range, all that is really left are the most cutting-edge lighting innovations, such the amazing BMW Laser headlamps and fully adaptive LED headlights.
The road is illuminated by the BMW adaptive LED headlights, which can dynamically adjust themselves based on driving conditions, approaching traffic (BMW Selective Beam), and vehicle speed. The headlights only use diodes during the short and high beam phases.
The completely adaptable LED-based headlamps are a standard feature on the new G05 X5, G06 X6, G07 X7, G11/G12 7 Series LCI, and G14/G15/G16 8 Series vehicles.
The adaptive LED headlamps on the X5 and X6 have unique light signatures with flattened “eye” designs similar to those on the G2x 3 Series cars.
The luxury vehicles from the triplet of the 7 Series, 8 Series, and X7 receive the same light graphics whether they are equipped with the optional BMW Laser lights or the standard Adaptive LED headlamps.
The blue hue given to the projector’s design, which is exclusive to Laser lights, is the only visual distinction between the two technologies.
What does the automatic headlamp beam throw control on BMW mean?
For inner-city driving, headlight beam throw control (a model-specific feature) causes the front lamps to rise at fast speeds and fall at reduced speeds.
What significance do adaptive headlights have?
You may already be aware that adaptable headlights are a useful technology that improves drivers’ visibility, especially in bad driving circumstances. This is because they increase the driver’s field of view, which is especially important when turning or cornering.
In what ways are adaptive headlights safer?
Toyota’s research is consistent with 2019 AAA research that revealed that adaptable beam headlights (ADB) might increase road lighting by as much as 86%, reducing the fatality rate for both drivers and pedestrians.
What makes adaptive headlights different?
Adaptive headlights are not permanently locked in place like regular headlights, which are only able to illuminate the area directly in front of you. According on the direction your automobile is traveling, these headlights use electronic sensors that can detect your steering angle to swivel.
How is a new BMW headlamp coded?
Go to Vehicle Management – Control unit exchange, choose Frontal Light Electronics Left (FLEL) and Frontal Light Electronics Right (FLER), and then click on the Display action plan button to code the front headlamps.
How are adaptive headlights turned on?
- On the SYNC screen in your car, select Settings.
- Select a vehicle.
- Select Lighting as you scroll down.
- To turn on or off the adaptive headlights, slide the button.
When were adaptive headlights introduced?
Since 2006, the technique has been widely used abroad. Although the United States may be a home of opportunity and freedom, it also has some extremely stupid laws.
Why do the headlights on a BMW move?
Adaptive headlights are a common name for the headlights of a BMW. This is due to the fact that depending on how you drive, they can adjust the light projection to the right or left. When a driver turns or navigates a bend, this gives them additional clarity. They can lessen blind spots and lower traffic accidents when they operate properly.
With automatic LED lighting, some BMW models will elevate these headlights to a new level. When an automobile approaches, the brightness of these lights might fluctuate. The headlights have a light camera that can identify other vehicles’ lights. It is straightforward to understand how anything could go wrong with the headlights given the number of sensors and electronic components inside a single headlamp.
BMW laser headlights: what are they?
When approaching incoming traffic is detected using Laserlight, there is no need to turn off the lights. Instead, this technology employs a Selective Beam camera system that adeptly recognizes approaching cars or those that are passing the BMW. The beam then automatically dims to avoid blinding these cars at that point.
How can I tell whether my automobile has headlights that can adjust?
Going on a nighttime drive could reveal whether your automobile has adaptive headlights. Your headlights are probably adaptive if you notice that they change their angle or brightness on their own. Some manufacturers mark their adaptive headlamp system with text or an icon inside the lens. When the headlights are off, take a peek around to see what’s there. If your car was made before the early 2010s, its headlights are probably not adaptive because adaptive headlights have only recently started to become more prevalent.