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friedhelmkoenig38
BMW X7 Light Control Failure Stumps Owner
4 comment(s)
friedhelmkoenig38 (Author)
Hey there! Yeah, I went through something very similar with my X7 about 6 months back. Had those exact same symptoms, the lighting system going crazy and everything. You're right about the control module, that's exactly what it was in my case too. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the fix? I'm wondering if prices have changed since then. Also, has everything been working smoothly since the repair? I had a few minor problems with the fog lights afterward, but nothing major.
lilianflame1
Hey again! Good news, I got my X5 sorted out and it was way simpler (and cheaper) than I expected. Turns out it wasn't the control module after all, just a faulty light switch with some dodgy cable connections. The mechanic fixed it up for 95 Euro, which was mostly labor costs for tracking down and fixing the connection issue. Talk about a relief! Everything's been working perfectly since then, no more crazy light shows or stuck beams. All my lights are responding exactly as they should, and I haven't had a single problem with any of them, including those fog lights you mentioned. It's nice to finally have a properly working lighting system again! I'd say you got the worse end of the deal with your control module issue. These electrical gremlins can be really tricky to diagnose sometimes, but I'm glad mine turned out to be such a straightforward fix. Definitely a lot better than having to replace the whole module!
friedhelmkoenig38 (Author)
Thanks for sharing your experience! I actually just got back from the mechanic yesterday. Took your advice and found a certified specialist, what a difference compared to my last experience! The issue was indeed more complex than just a switch. They found corrosion in the main wiring harness that was causing all sorts of chaos with the lighting system. Cost me quite a bit more than your repair, around 800 for parts and labor. They had to replace a section of the harness and recalibrate the whole system. But honestly, after dealing with those persistent lighting issues for weeks, it was worth every penny. They also gave the whole electrical system a once-over and cleaned up some connections that were starting to show early signs of corrosion. The car's running like a dream now, all lights working perfectly, no more error codes, and that annoying permanent low beam issue is finally fixed. Lesson learned though, will definitely be more proactive with maintenance checks from now on. Thanks again for your help in pointing me in the right direction!
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lilianflame1
I had a similar issue with my 2018 BMW X5 40i last month. The lighting system went haywire, constant low beam, unresponsive controls, the works. Turned out the main lighting control module had corroded connections due to moisture getting in. At the garage, they found multiple pins in the connector were damaged, and the module itself needed replacement. It wasn't just a simple switch issue. The diagnostic revealed several stored fault codes related to the lighting system communication. Not a cheap fix, but definitely something you want to address soon as it affects your entire lighting system. In my case, it wasn't only an inconvenience but also a safety concern since I couldn't properly control any of the lights. I'd suggest finding a certified BMW specialist for this one, the electrical system is pretty complex and needs proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact issue. Could be the same problem I had or something else in the CAN bus system.