Anyone got a BMW 2002+ 3 series sedan?

mick.fr

My 2004 E46 is a US model and the headlights are US specs. So indicators always on etc.
NCT next September so went to BMW stealership to get them reprogrammed to the EU standards.
They told me they don't know how to do that etc, told me the wiring is completely different and that I need new headlights.

I have very little trust in what they told me.

So I am looking for somebody who has a 3 series 2002-2005 model, sedan/saloon, and that would not mind giving me a little bit of his free time (Like 10-15mn) to actually compare our headlight with the hood opened.

Would be awesome if somebody could help me.

I live in the Castleknock/Blanch area.

Thanks

colm_mcm

how are new headlights gonna solve your problem? surely it's the wiring going to them that's the issue?

Isn't having amber lights on the front legal anyway?

mick.fr

colm_mcm wrote: »

how are new headlights gonna solve your problem? surely it's the wiring going to them that's the issue?

Isn't having amber lights on the front legal anyway?

You see bimmer's healights right?
My indicators are always on, first thing.
The small lights are never on, unless I flash somebody.
My "big" lights are on if I turn the headlights on.
See my problem?

US fellas told me this just need to be reprogrammed.
So I went to BMW, they told me the wiring has nothing to do with what they saw before and that I need new healights. I really don't believe BMW has developed 2 headlights models for 2002+ E46.

So by checking somebody else headlights I want to make sure what will be the next for me, cause most likely my car will fail the NCT next September.
Although US cars here, I doubt they actually fail the NCT just because of that.
Also I have not seen anything against having your indicators always on be an issue for the NCT test, but we never know.

See where I am coming from now?

colm_mcm

I think I know what you mean, on European models if your parking light blows, the indicator stays on like on US models.

Lets get this straight, At the moment:
Your parking lights are amber
Your dipped beams work as they should
your high beams work as they should

you're just worried that the amber side lights will fail an NCT?

DublinDilbert

I'm not sure how BMW do it, but Volvo do it via a Region Code which is sent out to the major ECUs over the CAN Bus, this automatically configures all of the ECUs, would be highly surprised if BMW don't do something similar.

As for needing new wiring / lights etc, thats a load of crap the dealer told you to get you out of their show room.

All of the lighting will be controlled via the lighting control module (LCM), not sure if it gets re-coded or if there's a region coded into the instrument cluster and shared via the CAN bus.

I know the instrument cluster and LCM definitely talk together, as the LCM contains the back-up millage figure which is checked on start up, conceivably they could swap millage figures too...

If your looking to search the internet, search for US guys trying to get a European E46 to work in the US, I know you want to do the opposite, but if it can be done one way, the opposite would work too...

mick.fr

colm_mcm wrote: »

you're just worried that the amber side lights will fail an NCT?

I suppose yeah.

colm_mcm

I wonder if it's a legal requirement that the sidelights stay on all the time when you have them turned on, they switch off when you're indicating... doubt it's a problem

I think your solution is software based.

mick.fr

Well it is not the side, it is the indicators themselves.
When my headlights are on, they are on as well, as you can see on picture below.
When I use them they blink with a brighter orange light, like normal ones.
This is a bit confusing for people on the road here, not sure if it will fail NCT.

colm_mcm

do you know if there are 2 seperate bulbs in the indicator unit, or does the same bulb provide the indicators and the light that comes on with the headlights?

mick.fr

colm_mcm wrote: »

do you know if there are 2 seperate bulbs in the indicator unit, or does the same bulb provide the indicators and the light that comes on with the headlights?

Yeah same bulb

mick.fr

I found the good name as well, my "daylight running light" as well is never on, only when I flash somebody.
After some screening on Google, it appears it can be turned on and off by a simple re-programmation, can't find exactly how. Could be by the key, or the computer.

wallyworld

Mick:

We went through the same thing with an 02 3-series/E46 last year from the US. Indeed we did fail the NCT as soon as the car came over, precisely and only because of the headlights and the indicator/side lamps.

However, a trusty mechanic and a couple of hundere euro is all it took to pass. If your NCT is in September, you have plenty of time, but I would start getting this done in the next few months.

Any car electrical place should be able to take care of it (do NOT go to the dealership unless you have plenty of cash to waste....a certain "northside" dealer wanted almost €3000 to fix the "problem". I wound up getting it done for about €280 through an independent.)

Although I haven't used them and am definitely not affiliated with them, if you are in Dublin, try Ace Electrical in Finglas/Glasnevin, as I think they have the computer stuff for reprogramming; but, if it's like our car, it may be a bit more than that. Check the Golden Pages, as there are plenty of car wiring specialists out there.

I researched the hell out of all this about 1.5 years ago and just passed my second NCT with the "new" lighting configuration. Anyway, if I'm not mistaken, this really isn't a "problem". The US doesn't follow most of the rest of the world in following international automobile lighting conventions (I think it's a UN one). Everything except a few bits of wires and perhaps a bulb or two should be in your car. It just takes a bit of thinking through.

In my case, the BMW dealer said that over and beyond the wiring issues with the indicators and side lamps, I had to replace both of Xenon headlights at an estimated cost of €2600 beause the headlights were dipping the "wrong" way (i.e., configured for the US, and frankly all of the EU except for the ROI and UK!). After calling the NCT, it turned out all I needed was a €10 pair of stick-on beam deflectors. All I can say is be super-circumspect with what the dealer tells you, and do your own research.

Anyway, send me a PM with a contact number if you'd like for more details. Trust me: I am almost certain with no more than a few hundred euro, you should be able to pass the NCT with no problems.

WW:D

jayok

wallyworld wrote: »

... beause the headlights were dipping the "wrong" way (i.e., configured for the US, and frankly all of the EU except for the ROI and UK!)

Just a suggestion, my 2003 3-series actually has a level/adjustment on the inside of the headlights to switch them from being left aligned to right alighted and vice-versa - this procedure is in the manual. Its doesn't require any equipment to check and is designed for the car user to do.May be its there for you?

colm_mcm

the old 5 series could be converted from left to right aswell.

JHMEG

FWIW Honda make at least THREE different headlamp assemblies, if not four per model (US, UK, JDM are all different, and I think Euro might be different again to US).

Back on topic: I don't think amber running lights is a problem for the NCT.

This is is an US E39 (dunno which that is) headlamp beam pattern. It is too high on the right hand side for this country and would fail the NCT (it should be high on the left, or flat). Wallyworld stated above a few stickerrs solved his problem. Ironically Irish and UK cars require similar stickers when driving in France.