[BavarianBuilt]

I have an E90 2007 335i, pre-LCI. My front left xenon control unit has gone bad and needs to be replaced. The dealer wanted about $1300 to replace it. I know for sure I can get away with replacing it cheaper. It looks like I can buy a brand new OE unit for about $375, I see ECS also sells them for about $380. There also appear to be plenty on eBay for around $200 should I want to do the second-hand route.

Sourcing the part doesn't appear to be an issue. I'm curious about the labor. For starters, the dealer told me the new one would need to be programmed. Is this true, and if so, what does that entail? What would happen if I bought one second-hand and installed it? Also, it is to my understanding that the control unit is quite difficult to get to? Does the front bumper and/or headlight need to be removed? Can anyone kindly link me to a DIY?

If I'm missing anything else, please feel free. Thanks!

[BavarianBuilt]

[SureShot434]

Wish I could help ya out bud. I just had my entire headlight replaced because of issues with the sensors in it and it was covered under CPO warranty. Good luck!

[orangedawg]

I don't think the control unit needs to be "registered" or anything like that. I had a halogen pre-lci and converted to factory xenon by slowly acquiring parts and then coding. The units I used were used from a variety of cars (meaning, I didn't buy a matching "kit", I just slowly bought a piece here and a piece there) and as long as you get the correct part, I don't see that you would need to code that. I would just find a working control unit (ebay, for example) and install it on the headlight. IIRC, there are two screws that hold it onto the headlight assembly. Just remove the old unit and screw on the new one. I can't see why that would need to be coded to replace that unit.

See this link on how to remove bumper: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...bumper+removal

Removing bumper is pretty easy and IIRC removing headlight is pretty easy too. I can't remember if you need to remove the headlight assembly to get to control unit.

[BavarianBuilt]

Thanks! Just the information I was looking for. Are yours also auto-level? I don't doubt there could be some programming involved between the LCM and xenon control unit, I was just curious if everything would be plug-and-play. I can get any necessary programming done at an indy shop, I just first want a working headlight.

I've removed the bumper on my E46 a few times, it looks like the E90 is just as easy.

[bumere90]

I've replaced many xenon control units on bmw's, audi's and infiniti's and never had to program anything. Plug and play.
Buy a used one on eBay with warranty for around $150.
You would need to remove the front bumper and the headlight itself, the module is right under the headlight

[BavarianBuilt]

Thanks for the reply. I take it I can't simply just pop out the headlight to get to the control unit? Does the bumper need to come off to get the headlight out?

[Virterm]

Originally Posted by BavarianBuilt

Thanks for the reply. I take it I can't simply just pop out the headlight to get to the control unit? Does the bumper need to come off to get the headlight out?

In order to remove your headlights you need to take your bumper off (1.5 hr or less).

[orangedawg]

My headlights are OEM, which means that they are auto-leveling and adaptive. But, neither the auto-level or adaptive work as I didn't install the self-leveling components (the levels on the front and rear suspension). In order to get those two things to work, you need to get a wiring harness (they are on ebay for about $150), but also the levelers, and a new footwell control module, and then you would need to code all that in. My xenons work just fine for 2 years so far with the internal wiring mod (see DIY section on how to do this) and coding.

[BavarianBuilt]

I'm in the process now of finally buying a new (used) xenon control unit. Can someone inform me what the rubber seal is around the harness plugs? I have never taken the control unit off of my car so I don't know what it looks like. Some pictures show a rubber seal, some don't. The used unit I'm looking at does not have it. Can I use the seal from my original unit?

Reference pic:


The one I'm looking at does not appear to have this seal:

[VTECaddict]

You should be able to reuse yours.

[username604]

Is that the ballast? I remember seeing a used ballast that looked just like OEM taken off of a volvo for $45 shipped on ebay. The used and similar BMW ballasts costed way more $$ at the time

[BavarianBuilt]

Yes, it's the ballast. They run about $200 used.

[TonyMunoz]

Is there a difference between the
Headlight control module and the headlight module?
Is it the same part showed in this port or is there 2 different parts?

I replaced the bulb on my e90 and will not work so now I been searching here and it might be the module I needs to replace, I got confused because I seen a post talking about 2 different modules
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht+module+328i

I'm guessing by this post is only the part showned in the pic here right?

[fl0wmastr]

I have an 07 e92 335i coupe. I see there are xenon control module for 07-09 pre-lci and 09-12 for lci and a different one for the 4 door. Are these different control module parts interchangeable or no?

[VTECaddict]

Originally Posted by fl0wmastr

I have an 07 e92 335i coupe. I see there are xenon control module for 07-09 pre-lci and 09-12 for lci and a different one for the 4 door. Are these different control module parts interchangeable or no?

No, they are different and won't fit properly if you get the wrong one.

[kolhozbrothers]

I sell used ballasts. Message me if you need one.
You don't have to program it, if you are replacing your xenon ballast. But if you are replacing the AFS then yes, it needs to be programmed.