Xenon Troubleshooting

Hello Guys,

I have a 2006, 530 I, and the one xenon headlamp has been playing with me . Initially, it was turning off after rain, and then would turn on again in few days when the weather was dry. Now, it does not turn on at all . Yes, I have taken the assembly out and checked for leaks, water damage.. but could not find anything (the wiring is OK though, coz the other headlamp works on the same wiring, and this one doesnt work on the other one).

Long story short, I think its most likely the igniter, and then possibly the bulb. I dont really want to take both lights out again, swap bulbs or igniter to make sure what the problem is (the igniter in the other one is sealed with silicone), and I am pretty positive it is not the bulb..

Another symptom that assures me is that the light blinks for the fraction of a second when turned on. I have the following two questions...

1. Is the igniter plug and play (I dont have to program it, do I)?
2. Do you agree/ disagree with my hypothesis above, and suspect igniter to be the primary culprit?

Thanks again .

Allright.. got the OEM Igniter, put that in yesterday... still, no light ... The guy I bought it from swears that he checked it before he sent it to me (got it used for 75 bucks)... so, it has to be an other problem . I also opened the back of the light to see the bulb, but there is a whole assembly there, and when talked to BMW, he said you need to change the whole assembly for 400+ dollars in parts.

Any idea what else can be the culprit? and if its the bulb, can I just replace the bulb ... or else, rather than wasting money on parts one by one, maybe it is worth taking it to the dealer.. however; it scares me that the bill might go out of control ..

Thanks again..

No one