I have a 1990 BMW 730i and the headlights like to turn off on their own. They will stay on for roughly 30-45 minutes, and then they will turn off and not turn back on for quite a while. Does anynoe know what might be causing this?
2006-08-31 10:12:35 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Seems like something (like a contact) heats up and expands, thus killing the lights, because of something is weared out or because a design fault.
You might test this by NOT turning on the lights, drive 45 minutes, then turn on the lights, and see if it stays on again for 30-45 minutes.
I self had a BMW once. Now and then (once every 2 months), i had to refit (not replace) the blinking light bulb, otherwise it didn't get good contact.
2006-08-31 10:15:21 · answer #1 · answered by · 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe on your year Beamer there is an internal switch that turns off your lights if you accidentally leave them on after exiting the car (to save battery power)...it's possible that it is malfunctioning somehow. Also, you may have one of those "twilight sentinel" sensors that turns the lights off and on based on how dark it is outside; early models of those weren't perfected yet and notorious for overheating and randomly going off and on...but I'm not quite sure if a '90 model would have had that option yet.
I'd take it to a good auto electrical guy and have him check to see if you have any of these systems, and check to see if something needs repaired or replaced.
Hope this helped.
2006-08-31 17:20:37 · answer #2 · answered by answerman63 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some light systems are on a circuit breaker, and some have a "fusible link" built into the light switch itself. There is a good chance that changing the switch will correct the problem. Unless you have an amp meter and can tell us how much current those lights are using this is the best diagnoses I can give you.
2006-08-31 17:22:57 · answer #3 · answered by Gary Gearfreak 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The head lights DO NOT use a fuse. They use a self reseting circuit breaker that's going out on you.
I don't know where it's located though.
Good luck.
2006-08-31 18:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either a heat induced short in wiring, or possibly a spirit of darkness inhabiting your car? I say, take it out for some ...exorcise...
2006-08-31 17:18:01 · answer #5 · answered by writ_rrr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a headlight relay that is going bad. Look in your owner's manual, locate the relay, and replace it.
2006-08-31 17:48:41 · answer #6 · answered by Tim B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you have a short in your headlight switch
2006-08-31 17:32:00 · answer #7 · answered by Al Bundy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds like a bad switch.
2006-08-31 22:49:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you arousing your car while driving? That may be the cause...
2006-08-31 17:17:51 · answer #9 · answered by The One Line Review Guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe it's a fuse going loose or something. i would take it in to be looked at.
2006-08-31 17:17:46 · answer #10 · answered by C-Baby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋