hey guys,

well as you guys can see, this is my first post. i own an 04 pepper white/black mcs. and about near the end of my first year of ownership, i noticed that my headlights (mostly my passenger side) would flicker every so often, and sometimes it would downright just shut down. somtimes this happens when i'm just crusing at a constant speed or stopped, sometimes it would happen right after i brake hard.

i've brought the car to the dealership to have them take a look at it. they weren't able to replicate the problem, so they just replaced my passenger side assembly. all was well for a while, but lately i've been noticing a bit of flickering as well.

i was wondering if there're anybody out there with a similar problem, or maybe has a clue as to what's going on. i don't think i can annually replace head light assemblies after the warrenty runs out.

tia, guys!

 

Most likely cause is something related to the electrical connection to the Xenon assembly. Dealer is replacing the assembly because that is the easiest way out. They don't get paid by MINI/BMW to diagnose the true cause of the problem. Besides replacing the assembly on approximately an annual cycle (which you have already mentioned is not cost-sustainable), you have at least three options that immediately come to mind: 1.) find an electrical shop that is up to the challenge of finding where the electrical problem is, 2.) buy an extended warranty that specifically covers the Xenon assemblies, or 3.) dispose of the car. There likely are other scenarios; I just am not thinking of them at the moment.

Personally, I would invest a couple of hundred $ to see if you can find an automotive electrical shop that specializes in Xenon headlights that can diagnose what is happening. They may find a solution that is not too expensive (better yet, the factory warranty will cover it) that provides a long-term fix.

 

I had Xenon problems in wet weather - is your problem associated with rain or damp roads?

 

SUBJECT
Xenon Headlamp Failure


MODEL
R50 (Cooper), R53 (Cooper S) with option 522 (Xenon headlamps)

Vehicles produced March 1, 2004 to June 30, 2004.


SITUATION
Xenon light is intermittently inoperative - either one or both headlamps.

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

CORRECTION
Notes:

1. This Service Information only refers to headlamps supplied by AL (Automotive Lighting). For headlamps supplied by ZKW, carry out the regular troubleshooting for the xenon system.
2. Individual parts from different manufacturers are not compatible with each other. Do not mix parts from AL and ZKW.
3. This Service Information 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.

Case A:

Green dot on the parts sticker on the failed headlamp, continue regular troubleshooting on the xenon light.

Case B:

No green dot on the parts sticker on the failed headlamp:

If both headlamps have failed:

The xenon control unit and xenon bulb from the failed headlamps must be replaced.

If only one headlamp has failed:

Replace the xenon control unit and xenon bulb from the failed headlamp. Also replace the xenon control unit from the other lamp as a precautionary measure. It is not necessary to replace the xenon bulb in the other lamp.

NOTES about installing AL components (indicated by the AL suffix in the EPC):

Control unit P/N 63 12 6 912 114 - 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.

Control unit P/N 63 12 0 406 709 (or its successor) – no additional checks necessary.

In cases where a complete headlamp replacement is necessary, only install headlamps with a production date later than 14th February 2005 or headlamps that have a green dot next to the MINI 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.

 

Thanks for all the informative replies guys. and sorry about my late response, i don't browse this forum regularly!

Back to GBMINI: no, the issues are not associated with wet or damp roads, the occurances seem pretty random.

1FSTMINI: Thanks! i'll have to take a glimpse at my at my units once my car gets back (new tires)

Caminifan: as ridiculous as it sounds, what would i use to search for automotive electricians? i tried doing it on yellowpages.ca, but i wasn't getting any hits. should i just look into body shops/mechanics?

 

On yellowpages.ca, search for 'automotive electrical'. Call some places local to you and see if they would be comfortable and have experience troubleshooting Xenon headlight issues. Also, in your local yellow pages under Automotive Repair Shops, there will be electrical specialists listed.

 

I had the same problem which was fixed by the dealer in about 30 minutes

 

Do you know what the problem was? I would like to get the problem fixed.

 

I'm having from a long time this issue:

The passenger headlamp doesn't turn on most of the time. All this when parked. Dealer replaced the ballast once, and I changed them twice between headlamps. Never thought of changing the headlamp. Not a bad idea, how much are them on the USA?

It's a good reason to get the '05 - '06 headlamps.

What do you guys think?

 

anyone know this mystery? changed bulbs, ignitor, control unit and even one headlight and it still the same. not really flicker but like a quick second off and on it happens on both of the headlight.