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      10-22-2013, 04:22 PM   #45
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Just got back from road trip to Fl - both this issue (parked on level surface and it happened - hit a few bumps next day and back to normal) and the AC panel going out happened (pulled fuses and something "Reset").

Headed to dealer on Friday for 15k oil...
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      10-22-2013, 06:54 PM   #46
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Hi all, I took my car in for a second time (first time could not replicate, the third time the lights were point down all the time) and wanted to share the relevant notes from the work order.

"found rear level sensor linkage over-centered & link & upper mount bent.

repl link & re-install level sensor.

repair bent upper mount on control arm"

BMW Part 37 14 6 752 797

My speculation is that at going over bumps with the 19" then 18" RFT just beat up the sensor until it bent
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      11-04-2013, 07:45 PM   #47
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Just got the Z4 back from the dealer after asking them to adjust the headlights as they were cutting off so low it was a bit scary at night at highway speeds. After adjustment, a huge difference! Can see perfectly now with the low beams...

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      06-05-2014, 04:58 PM   #48
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Thought I'd update as this seems to be a reoccurring issue and not just an isolated one - This might be something to look out for especially for those who are out/almost out of warranty.

Back in October my headlights would occasionally project downwards, then a few weeks later just stayed in that position. Brought it to the dealer and they "realigned" the headlight - No part replacement like Nick.

As of last week, my headlights are now projected towards the sky searching for Santa Clause. Interesting enough, it appears almost as if the high beams are on and not just shifted upwards as I can still see the road in front of me fine. I checked to see that my high beams still work and they do. I am on non-RFT, so this appears to be another weak link/design flaw of the Z4.

Will report back with an update when there is finally an opening at my local dealership in the end of June - Until then, will be blinding every driver on the road at night.
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      06-05-2014, 05:17 PM   #49
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Cedar, I noticed that my headlights go downward when I take a speedbump too fast with the rear axle. I have to go over another speedbump then restart the car and the auto-leveling resets.

Actually, I did not update this thread, but the link arm broke again on my car and needed to be replaced a second time.

It is definitely worth keeping an eye on your headlight aiming when you are sure it is correct, then taking it in when it is too low or high, since the sensor arm really does appear to be a weak link.

EDIT: of course, after I type this, I encounter the issue again, and for the third time! I'm almost irked enough to file a NHTSA complaint

Last edited by nicknaz; 06-06-2014 at 06:43 PM..
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      06-08-2014, 07:09 PM   #50
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Are you currently running 18 non-RFTs?

I too have tried going over rough roads intetionally to try to "reset" the sensors. It doesn't seem to have any effect - but I do see my projectors auto-level at start-up.

I got out of my car to look at the lights yesterday and they are aimed so high they are blinding even during the day. Between this and my possible wheel bearing problem, maybe it's time to store the vehicle until everything is fixed.

I will be waiting for that sensor arm recall.
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      06-08-2014, 10:50 PM   #51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CedarZ4 View Post
Are you currently running 18 non-RFTs?

I too have tried going over rough roads intetionally to try to "reset" the sensors. It doesn't seem to have any effect - but I do see my projectors auto-level at start-up.

I got out of my car to look at the lights yesterday and they are aimed so high they are blinding even during the day. Between this and my possible wheel bearing problem, maybe it's time to store the vehicle until everything is fixed.

I will be waiting for that sensor arm recall.
I am using 18 non-RFT with a stiff sidewall (dunlop star spec ZII) and I always drive with the adaptive suspension in sport or sport+


IMHO, you should get it all documented, involve BMWNA and politely follow up with everyone who will listen. I am contemplating whether or not to do the same, since this is going to be my 4th time going in for headlights, and it is pretty tough to drive the car with the low beams pointed at the ground.

EDIT: driving the rear of the car somewhat quickly over a big speed bump in comfort mode to fully compress the rear suspension has brought the aiming of the lights back to normal.

Could be a good "fix" to try out

Last edited by nicknaz; 06-16-2014 at 01:07 PM..
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      07-30-2014, 11:05 AM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CedarZ4 View Post
I too have tried going over rough roads intetionally to try to "reset" the sensors. It doesn't seem to have any effect - but I do see my projectors auto-level at start-up.
Hey Cedar,

Have you had any luck with your headlights?

Mine started to aim to the ground again, and this going over rough roads is not having any effect, unlike before.

I am taking the car in this Friday to try another time to fix and am planning to escalate
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      07-30-2014, 03:47 PM   #53
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Why don't you have the two sensors replaced one at a time and see the difference..and save the torment.
They are easy to get at, a five minute job to replace.
The sensors seem quite sensitive as i see my beams adjust down on hard acceleration then back up if i slow down.
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      07-30-2014, 03:55 PM   #54
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Yes, sensor replacement is what I am aiming for. That was the resolution last time.
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      07-30-2014, 05:23 PM   #55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknaz View Post
Yes, sensor replacement is what I am aiming for. That was the resolution last time.
Pun intended?
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      08-06-2014, 12:33 PM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hujan View Post
Pun intended?
Joke's on me... dealer couldn't find any issues with the sensors and just adjusted the headlight aiming.

So far so good, I hope it is fixed this time....
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      08-06-2014, 12:37 PM   #57
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Ditto on the re-aiming. They couldn't find a problem so they just aimed them higher. Now they are great, I went from 2 car length's of light to about 15 on low beams.
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      08-06-2014, 01:57 PM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kessler35is View Post
Ditto on the re-aiming. They couldn't find a problem so they just aimed them higher. Now they are great, I went from 2 car length's of light to about 15 on low beams.
Has this been recurring or 1 time for you?

This last visit was #3 for me. (self corrected the first time, part replacement the last time, now re-aimed)
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      08-06-2014, 05:01 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknaz View Post
Joke's on me... dealer couldn't find any issues with the sensors and just adjusted the headlight aiming.

So far so good, I hope it is fixed this time....
Fingers crossed!
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      08-06-2014, 09:10 PM   #60
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mine started doing this too… the headlights barely extend over the end of the hood… at least from my point of view… I'm short Asian… so it makes driving at night… kinda scary… gonna have to bring it in to get it checked out… at least the high beams work still.
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      08-07-2014, 11:34 AM   #61
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Sorry I never reported back. I will try to find the work order and post it.

For me it was the passenger side rear.

(Annoyingly)They generally won't do anything unless there is a code or error.

The lead tech was nice enough to show me the underside of the car, pull on the suspension arm and show me that it auto-levels. Then I was told that the suspension on the car was hard to keep the car planted to the ground. (okay?)

I brought it back when the lights were pointed downward again.

I made sure to drive very carefully as to not "reset" the lights. I left the lights on and the car running when I arrived.

They were ready to discount me again (Its daylight, how do I know...)

I sat and waited with the car and they took it inside to check it out.

No codes were found though they tested the voltage to the sensors, found that the voltage was off to the one in question. Only then was it replaced.

It has been 95% better ever since. Only once has it reverted to pointing down after driving over a rough surface or pothole.

Just be very persistent and keep taking it back until they fix it.

The maintenance cycle on these things are so far out and with dealerships moving to 'bring it in whenever, no appt needed' you don't really develop any relationships. Thankfully the tech and SA I encountered were well-intentioned.
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      08-07-2014, 01:08 PM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknaz View Post
Has this been recurring or 1 time for you?

This last visit was #3 for me. (self corrected the first time, part replacement the last time, now re-aimed)
This was the 3rd time for them to adjust the aiming. After a few weeks they would end up pointing down again. I told them if it happens again they are replacing both headlight units and level sensors. My SA agreed that it would be done if the lights dropped again.
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      08-08-2014, 09:37 AM   #63
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i just wanted to report back that after the re-aiming the other day, I am now in the same boat as Cedar, with the lights pointing very high.

Thanks for the tip on the voltage check. I will mention that to them.
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      08-13-2014, 04:13 PM   #64
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I had the same issue with my headlight. I took it to one of the dealer in town. Not sure if they did something wrong or what, the headlight was pointed to the sky. Then I brought my car to another dealer and it is back to normal now.

I talked to the techs and nobody confirm any leveling issue. They just said it is a slight misalignment.

But I also talked to one of my friends that own his garage. He did told me that he saw a few BMW having the same issue and the Auto Level broke and needs to be replaced.
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      08-18-2014, 08:59 AM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknaz View Post
Has this been recurring or 1 time for you?

This last visit was #3 for me. (self corrected the first time, part replacement the last time, now re-aimed)
It has been reoccurring.

And now they are pointed at the ground again.

I'll be taking it back and having them replace the headlights and sensors as they promised.

I'll post an update after I take it in.
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      08-18-2014, 05:51 PM   #66
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If you don't mind, could you please call the BMWNA customer service line, and also see if a "regional rep" can get involved?

I think it will really help the community if all of us who have an issue escalate and make BMWNA aware of the situation
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