cfoster

I've got a 2007 plate BMW 325i m sport coupe and got an annoying electrical issue with one of the headlights. Basically when I turn the headlights on the passenger side xenon flickers on and off a few times (about 2 second gap in between flickers), then comes on and is fine but I get an error come up on the iDrive screen thing saying 'left dipped beam failure'. Any ideas?!

So far the long power wire from the battery at the back to the fuse box has been replaced along with the fuse box itself (under warranty - fixed for something else (common non starting issue)), the ballasts have been swapped and the bulbs themselves have been swapped but made no difference!! Anything else to try?! Could it be an earthing problem maybe?

sartain87

could you not get it plugged in to a diagnostic unit then go from there?

i tried doing a quick google search and loads of answears were coming up.

cfoster

the only fault is the 88 one apparantly - dipped beam failure!

GVK.

Have sent a mate a message who is BMW master tech, will pass on any info.

GVK.

He has sent this back.

"Two common probs. one is the internal wiring in the headlamp.
The other is the frm. This is the control unit in the osf kick panel. this used to give false bulb failures."

Hope that helps.

cfoster

Ok cool thanks for that mate, i've also heard it could be the lamp, hopefully not though as i've heard they aren't cheap!!

What does frm stand for?

Chris

GVK.

I've no idea, just Googled it it says "Footwell module" ... if replaced as with any BMW module it will need to be coded to the car.

Pretty sure on modern BMWs when you replace one control unit, the rest of the control units need to be coded as well.

Some info here (US forum) http://www.socale90.com/forums/showthread.php?t=735

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Are the ballasts built into the headlamp or are they seperate? I'd try swapping the complete headlamps over left to right if the wiring plugs are the same, that would give you an idea as to weather it's a fault within the headlamp or with the car.

Or you could find which pin is the live feed and drop a wire straight to it from the battery to see if it powers up ok.

cfoster

Well I swapped the headlights over last night and the same side still flickers, so thankfully its not the headlight unit (heard they aren't cheap!!). Hopefully it will be the FRM module as mentioned above!!