LED DRL turned yellow?

Frozen Fractals · 05-29-2020, 01:19 AM

Noticed today that the inner DRL on the left (LHD driver's side) headlight has gone yellow. I'm assuming that the LED module for that DRL has gone bad and needs replacement?

AP · 05-29-2020, 02:23 AM

Looks that way. Warranty job ,I expect these headlights are VERY expensive to replace

Mach550 · 05-29-2020, 08:21 AM

Looks like it's not even illuminated but only reflecting the surrounding area lighting. Going to keep an eye on these on my car but I usually turn DRL's off anyways.

Skyrider01 · 05-29-2020, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

Looks that way. Warranty job ,I expect these headlights are VERY expensive to replace

Indeed they are. The lens cover on my 535i’s headlight recently broke and you cannot just replace that part. The entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced.
The part alone is around $1300. And these are the Xenon adaptive lights. Not even the newer LEDs.

AP · 05-29-2020, 01:48 PM

Wow. You can see why cars like these get written off after what look like minor shunts.

Frozen Fractals · 05-29-2020, 02:25 PM

It’s definitely on. Just super warm and dim. I’m pretty certain some SMD LEDs or the driver has failed. Luckily, I’m still under CPO warranty, so I’ll just take it in. Looks like you can replace the DRL module which contains the driver and SMDs separately without replacing the whole headlight.

SteveinArizona · 05-29-2020, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach550

Looks like it's not even illuminated but only reflecting the surrounding area lighting. Going to keep an eye on these on my car but I usually turn DRL's off anyways.

Why. DRLs are a safety measure that lets other drivers see your car. They don't affect the way you drive so why do you turn them off?

ukbeemerboy · 05-30-2020, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozen Fractals

It’s definitely on. Just super warm and dim. I’m pretty certain some SMD LEDs or the driver has failed. Luckily, I’m still under CPO warranty, so I’ll just take it in. Looks like you can replace the DRL module which contains the driver and SMDs separately without replacing the whole headlight.

If you’re under warranty, they’ll replace the whole headlight.

ejlover06 · 12-01-2020, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozen Fractals

Noticed today that the inner DRL on the left (LHD driver's side) headlight has gone yellow. I'm assuming that the LED module for that DRL has gone bad and needs replacement?

Mine has the same issue on the right hand side. I think it's a common problem and even if we replace it this issue will happen in a few years later and this is a huge source of cost. It's totally unacceptable.

Is your DRL turns white when you turn on the low beams? Mines goes back to normal white color when low beams turned on. They are only yellow on the dimmed (DRL) setting.

LogicalApex · 12-01-2020, 10:47 AM

It is a known issue. In the US at least BMW NA has a TSB (Tech. Service Bulletin) on this issue and how dealerships are to fix it. They note the whole headlight doesn't need to be replaced, but a part does that causes this.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...74027-9999.pdf

ejlover06 · 12-01-2020, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

It is a known issue. In the US at least BMW NA has a TSB (Tech. Service Bulletin) on this issue and how dealerships are to fix it. They note the whole headlight doesn't need to be replaced, but a part does that causes this.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...74027-9999.pdf

That's fantastic news. I thank you so much, that's what I was expecting. There is no discoloration on my light tube I'm sure of it (since they are perfectly white while low beams are active), so only the module change should be enough. It's really really appreciated. I've sent the document to dealer, I hope they'll accept this bulletin. I'll let you know about the process. Best Regards,

SteveinArizona · 12-01-2020, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejlover06

That's fantastic news. I thank you so much, that's what I was expecting. There is no discoloration on my light tube I'm sure of it (since they are perfectly white while low beams are active), so only the module change should be enough. It's really really appreciated. I've sent the document to dealer, I hope they'll accept this bulletin. I'll let you know about the process. Best Regards,

BMW clearly knew about the issue before your warranty expired (I now see from the other forum that you have a shorter warrranty than we do in the USA; it is annoying that we no longer see the car and location by the poster's name). I would argue that they should fix it for free.

But if it only requires the module change, and if they stick with the 70% offer, it should not hurt too much.

Good luck.

ejlover06 · 12-01-2020, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

BMW clearly knew about the issue before your warranty expired (I now see from the other forum that you have a shorter warrranty than we do in the USA; it is annoying that we no longer see the car and location by the poster's name). I would argue that they should fix it for free.

But if it only requires the module change, and if they stick with the 70% offer, it should not hurt too much.

Good luck.

The thing is they told me that they asked Germany Headquarters for the procedure and Germany offered 70% discount etc. There is no possibility that BMW AG doesn't know anything about this procedure and this simple solution.. So I guess there is more to it for the constant complete replacement offer of the dealer... I'll tallk with them tomorrow and according to the solution they will offer I will file a complain about BMW Turkey to the BMW AG.

Since warranty ended I accept to pay for the module. It's a reasonable solution for the problem. But replacing the whole headlight is a engineering failure at the design step. I'm just glad that BMW engineers didn't made such a mistake at design.

proe212 · 02-15-2021, 05:54 PM

I had the same issue, they tried to replace the module only and it didn't work, they ended up replacing the entire lamp. Under warranty at this point...

Cabbage · 02-15-2021, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozen Fractals

Noticed today that the inner DRL on the left (LHD driver's side) headlight has gone yellow. I'm assuming that the LED module for that DRL has gone bad and needs replacement?

This happened to me on my old f10 535xi except mine turned pink.

COBodom · 02-16-2021, 05:56 PM

I suspect this could be Over The Air upgrade to M5 CS style LEDs...

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...n-specs-price/

ejlover06 · 02-17-2021, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBodom

I suspect this could be Over The Air upgrade to M5 CS style LEDs...

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...n-specs-price/

As long as all 4 lights on at the same color why not

FullBolton · 08-10-2022, 09:04 PM

MarkSCD · 08-11-2022, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullBolton

You're the first person I thought of when I saw this thread. It's about time you join this forum. Welcome!

FullBolton · 08-13-2022, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkSCD

You're the first person I thought of when I saw this thread. It's about time you join this forum. Welcome!

Thank you my brother!! I'm glad to be part of it!!

Tpriest7893 · 07-29-2024, 10:07 PM

Mine just went out today. Dropping it off at bmw tomorrow ( under warranty as well)

eric_gm · 07-30-2024, 11:19 AM

I have decided to turn mine off in iDrive. I really don't need DRLs running the whole time and if I can extend the life of the LEDs, then great since I have no warranty. It also gets pretty hot around here so I imagine they would last even less.

I've been noticing a lot of other German cars with this same yellowing DRL issue, especially Audis.

05-29-2020, 01:19 AM	#1
Frozen Fractals First Lieutenant 189 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2018 540i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: US / China iTrader: (2)	LED DRL turned yellow? Noticed today that the inner DRL on the left (LHD driver's side) headlight has gone yellow. I'm assuming that the LED module for that DRL has gone bad and needs replacement? __________________ 2018 G30 540i xDrive M Sport \| Carbon Black Metallic \| KW V3 Coilovers \| F90 Suspension \| F90 Brakes \| 20" HRE FF10 Liquid Black Wheels \| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tires \| Ivory White Dakota Leather \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Executive Package \| Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System \| JL Audio 12W6v3 and XD600/1v2 \| Ceramic Controls \| BM3 Stage 2+ E50 ECU Tune \| xHP Stage 3 TCU Tune \| Dorch Stage 2 HPFP \| MST Cold Air Intake \| FTP Chargepipe \| AA Catted Downpipe \| Remus Catback Exhaust
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05-29-2020, 02:23 AM	#2
AP Major General 3511 Rep 5,764 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Looks that way. Warranty job ,I expect these headlights are VERY expensive to replace
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05-29-2020, 08:21 AM	#3
Mach550 Captain 564 Rep 939 Posts Drives: 2019 M550i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Tampa Bay iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M550i [8.00]	Looks like it's not even illuminated but only reflecting the surrounding area lighting. Going to keep an eye on these on my car but I usually turn DRL's off anyways.
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05-29-2020, 01:48 PM	#5
AP Major General 3511 Rep 5,764 Posts Drives: G30 M550 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Wow. You can see why cars like these get written off after what look like minor shunts.
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05-29-2020, 02:25 PM	#6
Frozen Fractals First Lieutenant 189 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2018 540i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: US / China iTrader: (2)	It’s definitely on. Just super warm and dim. I’m pretty certain some SMD LEDs or the driver has failed. Luckily, I’m still under CPO warranty, so I’ll just take it in. Looks like you can replace the DRL module which contains the driver and SMDs separately without replacing the whole headlight.
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12-01-2020, 10:47 AM	#10
LogicalApex Brigadier General 2340 Rep 3,160 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW 530xe Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Farmington, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW 530xe [0.00]	It is a known issue. In the US at least BMW NA has a TSB (Tech. Service Bulletin) on this issue and how dealerships are to fix it. They note the whole headlight doesn't need to be replaced, but a part does that causes this. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...74027-9999.pdf
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02-15-2021, 05:54 PM	#14
proe212 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW 530i XDrive Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I had the same issue, they tried to replace the module only and it didn't work, they ended up replacing the entire lamp. Under warranty at this point...
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02-16-2021, 05:56 PM	#16
COBodom Lieutenant 1121 Rep 559 Posts Drives: 2024 540i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I suspect this could be Over The Air upgrade to M5 CS style LEDs... https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...n-specs-price/ __________________ Current: 2024 540i MSport Prior: 2021 540i MSport, 2018 540i MSport, 2015 BMW 528i MSport, 2012 BMW 528i
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08-10-2022, 09:04 PM	#18
FullBolton Private 97 Rep 66 Posts Drives: BMW G30 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: United States iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2017 BMW 540I [0.00]
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07-29-2024, 10:07 PM	#21
Tpriest7893 Captain 305 Rep 987 Posts Drives: 2020 540i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Venice Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2012 bmw 335 [0.00] 02 2002 m3 Vert [0.00]	Mine just went out today. Dropping it off at bmw tomorrow ( under warranty as well) __________________ 2012 bmw 335i sedan VRSF catless DP VRSF 5? HD IC Stock intake(had open before and was sick of noise) BMS CP 550i 351m rims with 275/245 set up. No tune as of yet.
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07-30-2024, 11:19 AM	#22
eric_gm Second Lieutenant 203 Rep 270 Posts Drives: G30 540i - Blown E39 Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Costa Rica iTrader: (0)	I have decided to turn mine off in iDrive. I really don't need DRLs running the whole time and if I can extend the life of the LEDs, then great since I have no warranty. It also gets pretty hot around here so I imagine they would last even less. I've been noticing a lot of other German cars with this same yellowing DRL issue, especially Audis.
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