[niam]

Now this isn't quite what it sounds like.

At intermittent times my Headlights start to flash/flicker. I've only noticed this in the rain.

I've tried to attach a short video below But the site doesnt seem to allow mp4 files.

Here is a link to the clip

Has anyone experienced this?

Not seen something like that yet…

 

[3tus43]

Yep, I've also seen it once in heavy rain standing behind another car at a traffic light.

 

[marc7eleven]

Yep, I've also seen it once in heavy rain standing behind another car at a traffic light.

Same here today

 

[Egg360]

I had the same thing on my 2013 330D with Xenon’s when it rained. Noticed it more when parked up behind another vehicle in a queue - could see my lights appear to flicker on the rear of vehicle in front. Only happens in heavy rain.
Since having my i4 (LEDs with blue bits) it’s been the same occurrence, so think it’s just large droplets running over bright lights causing flicker effect

 

[Mikeyf79]

Thanks for your input but its not large or small droplets running over the lights causing an effect. If you get up close you can clearly see the light array flashing.

 

[J_P]

I don't know enough about how the lights function but I wonder if there is some sensor built into the lights that is being fooled by constant changes in reflections from the raindrops on the headlight as they run down.

 

[Mikeyf79]

Not sure if there is a sensor in the lights or windscreen etc.
But had a call from the dealer and this is now being passed to BMW to resolve.

As I've said previously, if it doesn't do this on every car with laser lights then it's a fault. If it did it on every car with laser lights is a design fault. Either way it's upto them to fix as it's illegal to drive in the UK with flashing Headlights.

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

 

[J_P]

As I've said previously, if it doesn't do this on every car with laser lights then it's a fault. If it did it on every car with laser lights is a design fault. Either way it's upto them to fix

Very true.

I was just suggesting a reason this only occurs in the rain. I look forward to hearing the outcome.

 

[Mikeyf79]

Always appreciate your input bud.



Thats the reply I gave my dealer when they said it wasn't a fault lol

 

[Rtm85]

I was just waiting at the intersection behind another car in the mids of rain, and suddenly noticed the exact same issue! Only on my left headlight tho. I stopped at a gas station (almost forgot they exist) to see what's up, and I could definitely see 1 single LED in the matrix which was flickering. I took a video of it, but the light is so bright it's clipping/overexposed in the iPhone footage. You can still see the flickering tho. I called the dealership to have it checked (this is the 3rd time I'm bringing it in for repairs ffs), but I'm anxious they will be able to fix it as I read all your comments..

Does anyone have a solid solution by now?

 

[Rtm85]

I was just waiting at the intersection behind another car in the mids of rain, and suddenly noticed the exact same issue! Only on my left headlight tho. I stopped at a gas station (almost forgot they exist) to see what's wrong, and I could definitely see 1 single LED in the matrix which was flickering. I took a video of it, but the light is so bright it's clipping/overexposed in the iPhone footage. You can still see the flickering tho. I called the dealership to have it checked (this is the 3rd time I'm bringing it in for repairs ffs), but I'm anxious they will be able to fix it as I read all your comments..

Does anyone have a solid solution by now?

 

[Mikeyf79]

I'm in discussion with my dealership as there are 2 issues.

The first is an illusion that looks like the Headlights are flashing when rain runs over the Headlights (only the inner laserlight of the two and Nothing can be done about this).

And the second which some of us are experiencing. Which is individual leds within the array flashing.

As yet I'm unable to get a video of this actually happening, as it only happens sometimes.

I'll keep everyone upto date with what's happening and suggest everyone does the same.

 

[dr.joseph.azar]

I just received my i4 M50 a few days ago. I noticed this flickering only on the driver side headlight when I first start the car in my garage. I can see the flickering from the reflection on the wall. This only lasts about five seconds, then normalizes. There is no rain in my garage, so I can only assume this is some other fault that maybe nobody else has experienced from what I have read…

 

[Mikeyf79]

In my post (like above) which I've updated. I've said there are 2 different issues.

1. Water running over headlight causing a reflective illusion of flashing.

2. Actual flashing of individual led's that are part of the laser light array.

To see the actual flashing you need to look down at the light (a) so you don't get blinded and (b) so you can see the individual leds.

As far as I'm aware the reflective illusion issue isn't seen when your looking at the lights just observed as a reflection.

 

[david594]

Has anyone had issues with their laserlight headlights flickering/failing?

I had a weird issue today that I cannot explain. When in traffic behind another car I noticed the right headlight had a rapid flickering(kind of had the feeling as if you had water in front of an element). Later I noticed that the right still had a severe flickering and the left hind some mild flickering. Even late I had a time where the left was flickering and not the right. And finally later in the day just the right flickering. It seems to be related to the "low beam"elements. The right headlight also seemed to have a warmer(more yellow) tint to its light.

I need to get a video of it. It was odd. Smells expensive. Occurred at 5 months of ownership and 13k miles.

 

[Mikeyf79]

Yes I had this, but it was only occurring in the rain. And no it wasnt water running over the Headlights.

The car spent 2 weeks in the dealership and they couldn't find any fault and it suddenly just stopped.

Here's me thread with a video

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...-headlights.6464/&share_tid=6464&share_fid=2210737&share_type=t&link_source=app

[/URL]

(If I've posted the link incorrectly, would someone correct please)

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

 

[J_P]

A quick search for 'flickering'... 😉

Headlight Flickering Issue - i4 M50 Laserlights
Flashing headlights

 

[Tigermad]

So is this happening with all laser lights?

 

[Iridium]

Not seen it in mine. It won’t be the lasers as they aren’t active below certain speeds.

Generally higher power LEDs are not constantly on as that generates excess heat and that can result in thermal runaway of an individual element. Instead they are pulsed. Normally that pulse rate is faster than the human eye can see, however if you use a video camera with a variable shutter speed you will see the lights ‘flickering’.

It could be that either the electronics generating the pulse modulation, or a single LED element, aren’t responding correctly so you start to see the effect as a flicker.

It is also possible that the pulse rate is slightly different from another pulsed light so again it may become visible.

A third option is actually your brain. Some people can see LED lights flickering, or computer monitor displays pulsing whilst others can’t. I have issues with monitors with a 50Hz or 60Hz sync rate. Set it to 100Hz and I’m fine. My wife doesn’t see the flicker at all.

 

[nucl3ar]

Hi there,

I did and still do experience this issue of flickering in rainy weather only.
Also it only occurs on the right light, not the left one.
I tried to film it but it's hard to catch.

I suspected something regarding the sensor on the windshield but I fail to understand why this happens only on the right side.

I don't think I've experienced this issue on a dry weather.
I don't know how to fix it, but I think it's kind weird that it's so sensitive to the water droplet. I mean come on, it has been raining for millions of years, it's not something new. Hard to believe it's by design and not a faulty device.

Anyway, aside filming the flickering and harass my car dealer, I don't know how to move forward on this matter otherwise.