BMW tech question?

So it's not a Ferrari, or even Italian. But I've got an issue on my '03 330Ci that is driving me nuts and thought someone here might be able to help. I've searched (**gasp**) "other" forums but none of the answers I've found have been the cure yet.

The dash warning light came on for the right headlight (should indicate a bulb out). This warning light includes EVERY light associated with the right front of the car, low and high beam headlight, turn signal, side repeater, and fog light. Most of the answers I've found elsewhere say to check grounds, check bulbs, and as a last resort change the sockets.

So I've done almost all of that and I can't seem to get the light to go off. I put in new sockets for both headlights, new bulbs for them also and new turn signal bulb (bought a new socket for that one too but got the wrong one). I just got the new sidemarker bulbs today so will replace that tonight.

I should have said, all the lights come on, work fine, turn signals flash faster than normal because the warning light is on, but other than that they ALL are working just fine.

I also read that the lighting control module which is behind the switch could be the issue. In most cases what people say is it is a bad connection like a plug or bulb with corrosion. Everything I've looked at looks great, all shiny and new looking. I also put Stabilant on all of the connectors with no effect.

I haven't taken the fog light out yet so I'll do that tonight too and check that socket and bulb but man this is driving me nuts. Oh, and I also found where all the grounds go to one common point and I took that apart and cleaned and added Stabilant to those.

After checking the fog light and replacing the side marker bulbs I'm about out of ideas. Hopefully someone here will have some new ones!!

Thanks!
John

 

Sorry I should have mentioned it's halogen so no leveling mechanism. The front warning came on a while back but the lights work just fine. After I started messing with the front lights then the back came on. But I did find a bad bulb back there, not out, but as I was taking the right side apart the bulb almost fell apart in my hands.

It doesn't show anything on a basic code reader. I bought a cable and have downloaded INPA and NCS but I haven't played with them yet. I need to figure that out anyway so I can reset the airbag light after replacing the blown safety connector on the battery cable.

It only came on after I owned it for a while and I hadn't touched the headlights. I wish it were that easy!!

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess worse case scenario is it's either the module (about $400) or a ground fault/short somewhere. But I thought it was odd the lights were working just fine and the warning came on.

I didn't get to the fog light or side marker bulb last night and I'm still waiting on the tail light bulbs to show up. So hopefully one of those fixes it!!

 

I can get to all that and more with the cable and INPA or NCS but I haven't played with them yet.