Left Low Beam Malfunction BMW – What Does It Mean and How to Fix

BMW is a leader in the luxury car segment the world over. Buying a Bimmer guarantees you luxury, class, and reliability. Whether a one-series BMW or seven series, you can rest easy knowing that BMW has used top artistry and the best materials to make your car. But like every make or model of vehicle, there are one or two issues the owners of this make can expect to encounter.

Left low beam malfunction message highlights

• Common reasons:broken light bulb, light control module, low battery, fuse issues
• How to fix:replace the bulb, check the battery, use the scanner to check other issues
• Possible consequences:driving with no low-beam light can be illegal in your area
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes (if legal)
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$10-$300

When the diagnostic OBD II scanner is used to help solve the above BMW problem, you will get the CC-ID 120 error code. While in Europe, it will give you the BMW dipped beam left failure code, in the USA, the error is coded as 'BMW left low beam malfunction'. This problem can be caused by a single factor or a combination of factors.

Low beam meaning

Every BMW is equipped with low and high-beam lights. These lights are a legal requirement and are meant to make driving safe for yourself and other road users. Low beam lights are of lower intensity and are meant to only reach a few meters in front of the vehicle.

The low beam lights limit the amount of light shone on other drivers' eyes. You should use these lights at night to avoid blinding other drivers and pedestrians. The other instances when low beam lights are used include when there is fog, heavy snow, and rain. The low beam light is ideal in such situations because it doesn't get reflected back to your eyes like the high beam lights. High beams cause a glare in bad weather and also make the visibility of other drivers difficult.

On the other hand, high beams cover a wide area of between 350 and 400 feet. The light directed onto the oncoming drivers is unlimited, which is why such a bright beam of light is reserved for dark roads where traffic is meager. The high beam headlights are designed to not only see further but also wider or the sides of the road.

Left low beam malfunction in BMW

The left low beam malfunction icon will flash on the dashboard whenever the left low beam has a problem. Though this can be alarming, especially for a new driver, you should take your time to diagnose the problem first. This is because the issue could be as simple as replacing the bulb or as serious as the BMW TMS Headlight Control Module breaking down.

Low-beam headlights play a critical role in your driving at night and in severe weather. Your BMW car has a right, and a left low beam. The left low beam is located in the middle of the left turn signal, and the left headlight flasher.

To get to the root cause of the Left Low Beam Malfunction issue, you will need to understand how the headlights of your BMW work. Here are the leading causes of this malfunction error message on your dashboard;

1) Damaged bulb

Even though the Xenon HID bulbs installed in your BMW are power efficient and much brighter than the competition, they do have an end-of-life date. These BMW lights can last up to 2,500 hours, and when the gas inside the bulb is no longer effective in making the bulb light up, your low beam will no longer work.

BMW cars usually come fitted with Xenon HID 35W D1S and D2S bulbs. For those with halogen bulbs, which last for up to around 1,000 hours, the H7 477 2 PIN type with reflector type headlamp units are used.

Correcting the damaged bulb issue requires you to install the recommended BMW bulbs. In the instances where these original components are unavailable, you can go for reliable brands such as Philips, GE, or Osram. However, ensure that you get the right fitting socket for the aftermarket bulbs.

2) Damaged power connector plug

When the Xenon control unit of your BMW has a power issue or the cables to the bulb fail to work, you will get the 'left low beam malfunction' message. Cables do get worn out after being in use for a long time. This problem can also arise after an accident. The harness is prone to damage, and you should always check the entire wiring system after the car has been involved in an accident.

3) A faulty Xenon light control unit

A faulty xenon control unit can cause your BMW to have a left low beam malfunction issue. This small rectangular unit is attached to the headlight housing. To know whether the xenon control unit is faulty, use a new bulb on either side and if on both sides it doesn't work, then check the unit.

A faulty xenon headlight control unit has some symptoms, including flickering, blinking, and suddenly lights going dark. You should check at the earliest opportunity because the bulb can stop flickering and completely shut off anytime.

4) A blown fuse  

A blown fuse makes both headlights go off simultaneously. This is not a left low beam issue but an issue with the whole headlight circuit. If the circuit has a fault where the wattage or the current is excessively high, then the fuse is the likely casualty. If you experience a headlight issue more frequently than expected, it is time to check the whole headlight circuit.

5) Low light quality

You may notice that your low left beam is not working as expected. The malfunction error message may fail to appear on the dash, yet the light is giving you a difficult time, especially on roads with a lot of traffic. Bad air quality inside the headlamp housing will prevent the light illuminating from the bulbs to be minimal and of very low quality. Low air quality in the headlamps will affect both the low and the high-beam light.

How to fix left low malfunction in your BMW

Fixing the left low beam malfunction problem should be simple and inexpensive. When you use the OBD II scanner, you should have an easy time locating the source of the problem. Whether your car uses xenon or halogen bulbs, the equipment used to diagnose and solve the left low beam malfunction may change slightly.

If the cause of the malfunction is the bulb, which is usually the cause, changing it should be easy and relatively cheap since you will only need to buy the bulb. Here are the steps you should follow to replace the bulb:

• Start by turning the wheel inwards to allow you have access to the low beam bulb via the wheel arch.
• Remove the wheel housing cover to get access to the bulb. Turn the bulb cap anticlockwise.
• Disconnect the headlamp wiring and then remove the bulb. Replace the old bulb with a new one.

The low-beam bulb is usually accessed much more easily than the high-beam bulbs. The high beam bulb requires you to open the hood and work your way through. It should take less than 10 minutes to replace the bulb and get back on the road. Replacing a low beam will typically stay under $150.

If the control module is the one with the problem, you will need to take the car to a BMW dealership to have it repaired. In most cases, however, when the unit gets damaged, a replacement is recommended.

It is worth noting that the diagnostic machine will not tell you whether the gas is leaking from the bulbs or if the ballast has an issue. The OBD scanner will give you a general error code, and it is for you to trace where the problem originates.

Conclusion

The good thing about BMW beam lights is that you can replace them if you are a DIY person. Unlike some cars, you don't need to remove the whole headlight to have access to the low-beam bulb. You can buy the bulb online or from a BMW dealership and replace it yourself. Being proactive regarding low beam issues is advisable because you can get into a serious accident if you neglect it. Don't forget having a nonfunctioning low beam in your Bimmer is also illegal.

On the other hand, if the headlight housing has an issue or the control needs to be looked at, you should visit a professional to solve the problem. If the case proves to be more serious than just replacing the bulb, the bumper will need to be removed to give you access to the housing. This requires some expertise and can cost you a few hundred dollars, so you will need an expert.