Lighting - Xenon Headlamp(s) Intermittently Inoperative

Service Measure
Lights

B63 201 04

March 18, 2005

This Service Measure supersedes S.M. B63 201 04 dated 05/20/2004 Changes to this revision are identified with asterisks.

Subject
Xenon failure

Vehicles affected:
E46 (3 Series) with option 522 (Xenon lights), * vehicles produced to February 28, 2005.*

Complaint

Xenon-Light is intermittently inoperative - either one or both headlamps.

Cause

Xenon headlamps and control unit supplied by AL (Automotive Lighting).

Measure:

* Notes:
a) This measure only refers to headlamps supplied by AL (Automotive Lighting). For headlamps supplied by ZKW carry out the regular troubleshooting for the xenon system.

b) Individual parts from different manufacturers are not compatible with each other. It is not permitted to mix parts.

c) This measure depends on the production date of the headlamp and whether there is a green dot on the yellow parts label on the AL headlamp. The production date is shown in the format yy.mm.dd above the bar code.

1) Headlamp production date before 21.07.03: Replace the igniter (ZG) + xenon light bulb. Perform a function test. If the function is still not restored also replace the control unit.

2) Headlamp production date from 21.07.03: If there is a green dot on the yellow parts label on the headlamp - continue regular troubleshooting. No green dot: replace control unit + bulb.*

* NOTE
For installing parts supplied by AL (indicated in the EPC with "AL": Before installing a new control unit or headlamp supplied by AL you must always check the production date. Only install a control unit with a production date later than 3rd February 2005. The production date is shown in the format dd.mm.yy below the bar code on the white label.

Only install headlamps with a production date later than 14th February 2005 or headlamps that have a green dot next to the BMW part number on the yellow parts label. The production date is shown in the format yy.mm.dd above the bar code on the yellow label. The green dot identifies headlamps that have been repaired by the supplier and are now equipped with a defect-free control unit even though they were manufactured before 14th February 2005.*