2008 M3 Headlight leveling motor issue

[physhy]

Hi I have a 2008 M3 with factory HID. Last year I had to replace the original ballast as it was making a really loud buzzing sound. I don't remember perfectly but I think I started noticing clicking sounds coming from the leveling motor but cant remember if that got fixed after changing the ballast.

Now the motor wont work at all, only the driver side motor works. Is it possible that the motor not working correctly be connected to a faulty ballast?

I see that the only way to replace that leveling motor is by purchasing a whole new headlight assembly as they don't sell it separately.

Is the motor the same on both sides? I just purchased a used motor from ebay and hoping it is the same for both sides but if not please let me know in case I can cancel the purchase.

Summary:

- could the leveling motor be having issues due to a faulty/burned ballast?
- is the motor exactly the same on both sides?

Thank you in advance.

[Hyperion]

1. No
2. Very likely yes.

[physhy]

Thank you Hyperion, so I guess I'm going to be replacing it then, just bought a motor from eBay hope all goes well. That same side where the leveling motor has failed the bulb is also a different color than my driver side. I would say about 80% of brightness than the other headlight, could this be a bulb specific issue rather than ballast? I thought up to now all the issues I had were because of a bad ballast but might be just a bulb that got damaged because of excessive condensation/moisture and a bad leveling motor.

When replacing the leveling motor am I going to have to level the lights again? I don't think I ever changed the height position from the highest setting so even if the motor died it must have died while in that position. Could I just pull the motor and install the new one and should be ok?

[Hyperion]

I haven't played around with 1st gen motors. So I couldn't tell you about the swap.
Dimmer bulb is definitely the bulb. A change in colour to pink or green would mean dead ballast.
Chances are you'll have to realign your headlights.

[js593]

If you can dig up the OEm part numbers and figure out if the motor is the same, I do have two off a Gen2 you can get from me.

let me know. (you'll have to pay the shipping, I'm in Winnipeg)

[physhy]

So it looks like the motor is not sold separately, comes together with the housing assembly so that's why there is no specific part number. Went to a local dealership and spoke with a tech and they have no experience with the motors as they replace the whole unit.

I'm guessing the motors are the same in any 2007-2009 M3 with stock HID sedan or hatchback. Looks like housing itself it's slightly different but I don't see why the motors would be different. Do you a lucyore for the motors and also what car did they come out from?

Thsnks

[physhy]

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