help!!! xenon headlamps flickering

[sami que]

hi guys im new to the forum, im having some problems on my 55plate r53 mini one cvt.

it has every concievable option i.e aero kit, sat/nav, full heated leather with arm rest, f1 style auto gear box etc etc etc but did not have xenon headlamps so i decided to add to buy the xenons and switch them with the halogens.

the xenons are genuine originals with the ecu type module connected to headlamps on the back (dont know what they are called) but they flicker when i switch them on. i have a pal at bmw/mini dealers and he told me that the ecu is not reading that the car has xenons and they have a module costing £100 that should resolve the issue but if that dont then i have to get the ecu controlled to read them costing a further £400 and i still have to pay if the first way dont work costing all in all an excess of £500+!!!

i was wondering if any of u guys may know an easier option or a much cheaper option in getting them sorted. i was told that these in car audio shops can sort tem out for £50 but dont know of any. i have also tried a number of things such as leaving the headlamps on for 30 secs whilst on ignition and then starting the car and also flashing the lights a few times but nothing.

your help would be much appreciated.

cheers

sami

[ALD0]

Have ya swapped the bulbs across?
If flickering continues try swapping the ballasts...

[sami que]

thanks for the quick response pal, will try that first thing have u had or heard of this issue?

[sunday-night-rider]

I am shortly doing this upgarde myslef, on my 02 R53. I have done a lot of research on this, and it appears that some cars with Halogens accept the xenon units and work with NO issues. And there are some cars that it wont.

The research concludes this; either get an auto-electrcian to fit a couple of 40-Amp resistors into the wirring, and then it may need to be simply re-programmed by a MINI specialist or dealer.

It is purely down to power these Xenons, with a car that was originally fitted with Halogens.
The wattage is different as the Xenons require different ampages. This retrofit has been done quiet a few times, and there are posts deeply submitted on other forums.

One thing is for sure, it does not cost hundreds and can be done quite reasonably.

The only issue is the law, and what it portraits on having Xenons fitted to a car, ie, they need to able to be washed, by the washer units supplied, they dont level as they should with the original equipment installed from the factory.

But to be honest you can adjust the beam manually, so you dont blind other drivers. The same goes when you get it MOT`D, as long as the beam pattern is ok, you will not have any problems.

If somebody else has any comments or input, please advise. It would help both me and Sami.

Sami- I did have a forum which I once found, were it gives exactly the information to stop flickering etc, I cant find it. But will keep you posted. Although I am 100% sure the resistors once fitted will solve the flickering.

[sami que]

thanks sunday-night rider much appreciated on the help your a life saver, keep me posted if u do find the forum and if i get info on it ill keep you posted. if its a mission to sort out ill just put the standard halogens back on.

i have been driving with the xenons for 3 months now but only with the sidelights n fogs on touch wood never been pulled over.

fingers crossed hope for the best mate


cheers

sami

[wywywywy]

Hi.

I had the exact same problem in the past. And it was purely down to the electrical contacts not being clean enough (were oxidised). After cleaning and sanding back the contact points and making sure the connectors (not a very good design) were attached tightly, it's been fine since.

Something worth checking.

HTHs.