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SB-10055985-4479
SI B63 07 14
Lights

April 2014
Technical Service

SUBJECT

One or Both Xenon Headlights Aiming Downwards
MODEL

E90 (3 Series Sedan)
E91 (3 Series Sports Wagon)
Produced from August 17, 2008 to June 29, 2012
E92 (3 Series Coupe)
Produced from March 2010 to June 2013
E93 (3 Series Convertible)
Produced from March 2010 to October 2013
With option 524 (Adaptive Headlights)
SITUATION

Both xenon headlight lenses are
aiming downwards;
or
One xenon headlight lens is aiming
downwards.
There is NO related CCM (Check
Control Message).

CAUSE

Both sides are aiming downwards:


The most likely cause is a faulty or disconnected rear height sensor.
In very extreme cases due to poor road conditions, both headlight assemblies could have the vertical aim
ball socket adjuster disconnected, as noted below.

Only one side is aiming downwards:


The cause could be a “disconnected” vertical aim ball socket adjuster, resulting from excessive road

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vibration or sharp impacts (pot holes) through the suspension to the headlight assembly.
Important Note: Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin first; replacing headlight assemblies for a
vertical aim ball socket adjuster issue is an excessive repair.
PROCEDURE

If both headlights are aiming downwards, perform steps 1 and 2.
If only one side is aiming downwards or both are aiming downwards, and steps 1 and 2 do not confirm a problem
with the rear height sensor, proceed to step 3.

1. Inspect the rear height sensor for
the correct position. Check if the
bolt (4) and bracket (1) are
installed correctly and check the
connector (3) for any damage or
looseness.
2. If no visible problem is found,
connect the vehicle to ISTA and
check for faults related to the
rear height sensor. Complete the
test plan for the fault and follow
the test plan recommendation.
For more information, refer to
REP 3714512, “Replacing rear
ride height sensor.”
In most cases, the root cause is the ball socket separating from the bracket in the vertical aim adjuster
mechanism inside the headlight assembly.

3. Remove the rear cover from the
headlight and disconnect the
connector (1). For more repair
information, refer to REP
6716011, “Removing and
installing/replacing left vertical
aim adjuster (Xenon headlight).”
4. Twist the vertical aim adjuster
(2) to remove it.
Note: Some headlight vertical aim
adjusters and the covers are held in
place with screws.

5. If the ball (1) is disconnected
from the bracket (2), reconnect
by pushing the ball back into the
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bracket. Make sure the other 2
pivots are also in place.
6. Make sure that ball stays in the
bracket after the repair.

If the inside of the headlight is broken and the repair procedure outlined above cannot be performed, replace the
headlight.
E90 and E91 vehicles (after performing the first headlight assembly repair)
The following additional support bracket must also be installed.
Remove the front bumper and install
an additional bracket for the left and
right Xenon headlights.
Remove and dispose of the plastic
holder.
Installation sequence for the additional
bracket:


Install the additional bracket (2)
as shown.



Tighten the nut (1) to tightening
torque 8Nm.



Screw on the additional bracket
(2) with the holder (4).



Reinstall the front bumper.

For more repair information refer to
REP 6312... “Installing additional
bracket for left or right xenon
headlight.”
PARTS INFORMATION

E90 and E91 repair kit (brackets, bolts and nuts)
Part Number

Description

Quantity

63 12 7 316 675

Left support

1

63 12 7 316 676

Right support

1

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07 12 9 905 120

ISA screw

4

07 11 9 905 710

Hex nut

4

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Steps 1 and 2
If the ISTA diagnostics and related test plans or performing other troubleshooting procedures results in eligible
and covered work, claim this work with the applicable defect code and/or labor operations listed in KSD2.
or
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty
Steps 2 through 5
Defect Code:

67 16 02 12 00

Repairing Left Side
Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

67 16 011

Refer to KSD2

Removing and installing or replacing
left headlight vertical aim control
(includes aiming headlights)

Labor operation code 67 16 011 is a Main labor operation. If you are using a Main labor code for another repair,
use the Plus code labor operation 67 16 512 instead, or if the headlight assembly is removed to perform another
repair, then use labor operation 67 16 513.
or
Repairing Right Side
Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

67 16 016

Refer to KSD2

Removing and installing or replacing
right headlight vertical aim control
(includes aiming headlights)

Labor operation code 67 16 016 is a Main labor operation. If you are using a Main labor code for another repair,
use the Plus code labor operation 67 16 517 instead, or if the headlight assembly is removed to perform another
repair, then use labor operation 67 16 518.
Additional Work: E90 and E91
Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

51 11 656

Refer to KSD2

Removing and installing front bumper
panel

and, if applicable

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61 67 800

Refer to KSD2

Additional work for headlight cleaners
(when equipped)

Refer to KSD2

Additional work for Park Distance
Control (when equipped)

1 FRU

Work time to install the bracket on the
affected side

and, if applicable
66 20 610
and
67 99 000

[ Copyright ©2014 BMW of North America, Inc. ]

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