replacing headlight adjusters on 2001 E39 with Xenon

I need some assistance from the board.

My dealer found that the adjusters on the Xenons are busted, so they are aimed too low.

They wanted to replace them both (both sides are busted) for $1500, but that is way too much.

I read at www.bmwtips.com that you can replace them your self, but it was on a 1997 528 (the first year) and was wondering if you could do it also on the 2001 xenon.

Some places that I searched seemed to say it was not possible to do on the 2001 (including the dealer and BMWNA) but others said it was possible.

I do not want to pull apart the lights to find out later that it is not possible, and then realy need new head lights.

Anybody know?

Also, is this a common problem, it seems from what I have read, it is, but BMWNA says no.

Thanks from a newbie!

Originally Posted by E39spd

I read at www.bmwtips.com that you can replace them your self, but it was on a 1997 528 (the first year) and was wondering if you could do it also on the 2001 xenon.

Should work for all years. I think JohnLew did it in his 2000 with HID.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Should work for all years. I think JohnLew did it in his 2000 with HID.

Thanks for your relpy!

It will work even with the angle eyes?

Originally Posted by E39spd

Thanks for your relpy!

It will work even with the angle eyes?

The adjusters work the same way- I wouldn't see why not. It's cheap enough (especially compared to $1500) to try, though. Let us know!

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

The adjusters work the same way- I wouldn't see why not. It's cheap enough (especially compared to $1500) to try, though. Let us know!

will do thanks

Should be possible, but I haven't heard of anyone trying it yet because:

-The AE front lenses are sealed all the way around. Removing them is probably a PITA and you'll want to be sure you reseal them afterwards to get back to factory spec. The pre-2001 lenses popped-off very easily in comparison.

-Because the externals are different, it's difficult to say if the adjuster replacement parts kit from the dealer will really work or not. It's unknown if they use the same pieces since nobody has ever tried it and reported back.

-It doesn't appear to be a common issue w/ adjusters breaking, but some people have definitely reported it and the dealer probably wouldn't sell the adjusters separately if they hadn't had issues in the past. The AE's introduced a new rare, but potential problem of the assembly being heavier than the supporting arms could bear. Severe trauma, such as the AE housings being dropped or mishandled during shipping, have resulted in broken internal assembly support arms. Again, difficult to fix because of the sealed front lens. I've heard of at least 4-5 reports of this problem.

Thanks, that is not the news I wanted to hear. The AE lights have snaps all the way around the unit, is it sealed somewhere else?

A friend did look it up and the adjuster is solded seperately?

These are OE lights and the car was never hit, it is an early production unit, so maybe it was from the factory that way?

Unfortunately, car is 2k miles outside the bumper to bumper warranty when I bought it (it is CPO though, but not covered by CPO).

If I had just gotten it 2k miles earlier

Originally Posted by E39spd

The AE lights have snaps all the way around the unit, is it sealed somewhere else?

Check closely at the seal between the clear lens and black housing. You'll see that it's plastic-glued all the way around. Yeah, you'd think w/ the clips, it should pop right off. I think in Europe, their DOT doesn't require it to be sealed and I hear you can buy replacement AE front lenses from the dealers to revitalize the look of your car. Not here though.

A friend did look it up and the adjuster is solded seperately?

If you're referring to Part Number 63 12 0 027 924, it's only supposed to fit up till 09/00 cars, which means they are for non-AE only as I mentioned previously. Again, you could try to take everything apart and see if they fit, but that would be uncharted territory.

I'm guessing some sharp bump in the road or pothole might have jarred the adjusters loose or broken them. Worse would be someone not knowing how to adjust the lights and cranking on them too much, thereby breaking them.

Thanks vietsb. I will make sure to proceed with caution!

Originally Posted by E39spd

Thanks vietsb. I will make sure to proceed with caution!

I'm talking to a few other folks and someone out there is floating around the theory that OEM US-Spec 2001+ CELIS lights might not be as sealed as the Euro-Spec clear-corner CELIS that myself and many other have. Those are definitely sealed.

You should possibly do some exploratory surgery on yours and see how sealed they are. From there, you can snap some pics of the possibly broken pieces and see if that dealer adjuster kit for the pre-2001 might just fit.

Be sure to report back your findings.

Originally Posted by vietsb

I'm talking to a few other folks and someone out there is floating around the theory that OEM US-Spec 2001+ CELIS lights might not be as sealed as the Euro-Spec clear-corner CELIS that myself and many other have. Those are definitely sealed.

You should possibly do some exploratory surgery on yours and see how sealed they are. From there, you can snap some pics of the possibly broken pieces and see if that dealer adjuster kit for the pre-2001 might just fit.

Be sure to report back your findings.

Thanks - will do! Plan on doing it in the next week or so.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Should work for all years. I think JohnLew did it in his 2000 with HID.

I did, with your help, thank you. It can be done and the $1500 quote is ridiculous. I did it on a '99 with Xenons. Can't be of much help now, it was a while ago, but BMWtips.com had valuable info on the process. Good luck!

Thanks everyone, the good news is that BMW is going to "good will" replacement xenon AE units for me. No need to take them apart!

Way to go BMW!

Originally Posted by E39spd

Thanks everyone, the good news is that BMW is going to "good will" replacement xenon AE units for me. No need to take them apart!

Way to go BMW!

Count yourself very lucky. Might be a good idea to buy a lottery ticket today too!

hahaha!

mine broke while they were on the way to my door, and the seller was being a wacko and i totally gave up dealing with that dude.

here is what i did to resolve the issue.
i've used the cable ties to run around the high beam bulb adapters & the ballast holders to adjust the beam.

it worked out perfectly! and i get this perfect beam pattern!

by the way, my AE headlights are the US version.

$.02

Originally Posted by waapples

hahaha!

mine broke while they were on the way to my door, and the seller was being a wacko and i totally gave up dealing with that dude.

here is what i did to resolve the issue.
i've used the cable ties to run around the high beam bulb adapters & the ballast holders to adjust the beam.

it worked out perfectly! and i get this perfect beam pattern!

by the way, my AE headlights are the US version.

$.02

Good to know if the deal falls through! Does it really work?

Originally Posted by E39spd

Good to know if the deal falls through! Does it really work?

well, this method worked for me.

i used the adjustable cable ties in case i need to adjust them when i get a chance to compare my beam height with the other 5series.

it works like this, as you tighten up the cable ties, the beam will shoot up high & when you release the ties, the beam will shoot low. i guess i didn't really have to worry about adjusting horizontally, since i got this
****______ (ignor those * they are just a place holder)
____/

beam pattern after finishing my job.

$.02

Originally Posted by waapples

well, this method worked for me.

i used the adjustable cable ties in case i need to adjust them when i get a chance to compare my beam height with the other 5series.

it works like this, as you tighten up the cable ties, the beam will shoot up high & when you release the ties, the beam will shoot low. i guess i didn't really have to worry about adjusting horizontally, since i got this
****______ (ignor those * they are just a place holder)
____/

beam pattern after finishing my job.

$.02

Thanks for the reply!