R56 headlamp blink 3 times when turning on headlamps

[ajhmini]

Hi all, I have an r56 mini with xenon lamps and appear to have a a headlamp issue - whenever I turn the headlamps on the nsf dipped/main bulb blinks off and back on again three times. When it’s finished blinking I get a bulb warning lamp on the dash, then the headlamp stays on for the rest of the journey with no issues. I’ve switched the headlamp bulbs from side to side, switched the ballasts from side to side and even switched the entire headlamp from side to side - the blinking is always on the near side.

I’ve read somewhere that this may be a tell-tale for a bulb issue somewhere else on the car but I can’t see any issues anywhere - all the bulbs function correctly.

Anybody have any suggestions of what is going on or how to fix?
Thanks
Andy

[Darkslider]

Do you have any LEDs fitted elsewhere? They can play havoc with bulb checking systems.

[CoolHands]

I replaced all 4 indicator bulbs (orange bulbs) and all 4 tail/brake bulbs a couple weeks ago as somehow it measures when the resistance has increased due to a bulb getting weak / blackened. However it didn’t cause any headlamp issue.
4 tail bulbs you need: 48177009L from eurocarparts
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/osram-ultra-life-38...

4 orange is osram long life bulbs:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003A68PCQ/ref...

I would highly recommend getting the proper Osram long life, might as well change them at least you’ll know they’re ok.

Edit this seems to be your problem, perhaps you can get soft lighting turned off. I think I have that option using bimmercode though I’ve never tried it.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12...

Edited by CoolHands on Monday 24th May 22:12

[ajhmini]

Thanks for the feedback. My issue is definitely not a flicker though. The headlamps come on for ~10seconds, then one light turns off for almost 1second, back on for ~5sec, off, on, off, on, warning lamp comes up on dash, then the light stays on without issue for the rest of the journey.

Two of the brake light bulbs were blackened but still working. Will work my way around the rest of the bulbs and see if anything else comes up