BMW E39 Auto Headlights Retrofit 

Hahaha

You’re right. I’ve recommended help to him, but then no one will show us that these things are way too much work.

Thanks for the support!

Very cool, thank you for sharing! You have one of the few E38s in this world with automatic headlights.

Thanks for the comment! I actually called a few local glass shops and they seemed totally confused by my objective. They kept telling me I had to replace the windshield to change the prism, and that it could not reinstalled separately. So, I did it myself! It worked fine even with a bubble or two, though I have since gotten a new 2002+ windshield installed with the correct prism from factory.

@@E39Source liability that's all. They're just trying to cover their asses and not risk cracking your windshield in the process. Best bet is talk to one of the guys on the side and have him help you when he's off.... or just wait until you change the windshield like you said! Most E39's need a new one by now :)

I have since replaced the windshield with a 2002+ Genuine glass, so I have a perfect sensor. If I ever install another, I will try that! Thanks the advice :)

I searched for used ones for 4 months and couldn't find anything that were guaranteed not broken!

Thank you very much! The Apple Watch band is sold by a company called Dialed. dialedwatchco.com/collections/watch-bands/products/motorsport-nato-band-with-black-hardware-compatible-apple-watch-1-4

I didn't think a wiring change was necessary? I was under the impression that it could be coded to work.

It does work exactly like it does on a E39. There is only one difference, and that's the way how you change the lightswitch.

That could work, but I think it'd be easier to carefully roll the prism on.

@@E39Source Since you're replying, thank you for very explanatory and insightful videos. Love the content. Was thinking about brake bleeder vacuum pump and small drilled and sealed metal pot with weatherstrip tape around pot's edges touching glass if careful rolling fails. Generic brake bleeder and vacuum pump at Harbor Freight costs 25$, so might be worth a try for some.

There IS a dot that says crush here! Ugh what an idiot I can be. The problem with re-trying will be removing the fresh pad that I just put on and then preparing the prism again.

@@E39Source If it makes you feel any better, I think the primer is only effective in long term, I just did mine today with the primer and no real difference. I have a slanted air bubble-line on mine too.

Hey when you guys do your prep before the primer, to remove all oils, use electrical contact cleaner (I prefer the wd-40 brand in my lab at work) Nothing I know of does a better job t removing all surface contaminants

Automatic wipers are useless anyways...

Please see the video description.

That appears to be a newer version of the same part, I would say it would work.

This automatic feature is not for high beams, but for automatically turning the headlights on when it gets dark outside. Automatic high beams may not even be a new standard feature on a 2021 5-series.

What country was your E39 originally sold in?

Even in bright light? Check LCM for codes?

@@E39Source The light always comes on for 10 seconds when it starts, even if it is bright. I checked the LCM.

@@Falko1992 All I can think of is a bad sensor then.

Thanks for buying the last one! haha

Yes, the purple is the automatic switch. Black is not automatic.

LCM mileage needs to be coded for your specific car.

Fog light switch!

Do you have xenons and auto wipers? If so, it should be the same deal. If not, you can retrofit those features at the same time but you'll need to do more than what I do in this video.

I have visited countless yards with hopes to find one and never have. If you're looking for one that has not bee glued back together, you're going to want to buy new.

@@E39Source Do you know if the pre-facelift bezel will fit? I don't use my auto headlights at all, rarely even drive the car at night.

@@DoubleJThe Yes, a pre-facelift switch bezel will pop right in, though it will not allow for the switch to turn to the 11:00 automatic mode. This would break the bezel. To avoid this, I’d want to change the switch to the pre 2002 version too.

@@E39Source Good idea, and that's a way cheap switch, I'll probably go that route.

The vendor removed the product from the website, but does still have some left in stock. You can call them and he'll sell you one.

Yeah, I had a feeling that happened. Who is the company and what’s the part number?

@@jpzzze Please refer to this writeup: www.e39source.com/blog/automatic-headlight-retrofit/

Thank you very much! No Titan line in stock, but it is still available new, though expensive.

@@E39Source Understood. What about Bruyere club?

@@sergiy26 I have several nice pieces, but not a complete set.

@@E39Source That's great. Maybe we could discuss it via email

@@sergiy26 Please email me at ryan@e39source.com

Those links are in the video description.

These are xenons, all M5s came standard with them. You could upgrade to either.

They are not supposed to be on in auto mode. In auto mode, the LCM monitors the ambient light and, when dark enough, turns on the halos with the low beams. If you want the halos to function as DRLs, you'll need an LCM4 with some special programming to enable this.

@@E39Source thanks Ryan

The complete leather interior adds a lot of luxury to the car, but it becomes a serious maintenance item. Too much sun, moisture, finger oils etc damage it. The vinyl is practical and robust!

@@E39Source Ahhh thats a good point. Here in PNW its pretty tame so its a non issue. Alcantara headliner & the leather dash totally changed the car for me, worth every bit of work to do it.

I have never researched this before, since all M5s came with the automatic wipers and I spend most of my time around M5s. With the new stalk and RLS installed... it might just work. I don't recall seeing any boxes to check for manual or automatic wipers in the ZCS or other modules. I would do more research on 'E39 automatic headlight retrofit' to see if anyone has this documented.

@@E39Source Interesting! I appreciate the fast reply, that's good to know that it might just work when it's back together without coding, I should get it all buttoned up in the next couple days and I'll give it a shot without coding anything and take it from there! Thanks :) I'll leave a post here with results for incase anyone else is in the same situation. Love the videos btw! The retrofits are awesome! I'm looking forward to any more that are to come!

@@YouWillNeverGetDis Amazingly, I got an email 10 minutes after I replied to this from a guy who is doing the same retrofit on his E38 7 series. His did not work immediately and he hasn't yet been able to figure it out. I suspect that you may need to replace the GMIII with a HIGH version? Do you have high or low OBC? Please keep me posted, and thank you for your kind words!

@@E39Source Wow what are the odds lol Yeah theres not many write ups on the retrofit to e39 coding. The main ones that pop up during searching is for the e38 and e46's. The e38s never came with auto headlights from factory so that could be why it's a trickier one for them. 1 guy that had success on his e38 said he brought the car to his indy which read the ZCS code from the GM and sent it out to Autologic who then sent back an updated ZCS to write to the car adding the option. I'm pretty sure the RLS still had to be initialized after that. I'm hoping the e39s are different but theres a good chance the code will still have to be added in somewhere. I should have the car up and running by the end of the day. I'll keep you updated. I havent replaced my lcm yet since I'm waiting on the software and cable currently but I'll see if anything works as is.

Also forgot to mention, I have the high obc

Silverstone Metallic, the original 1999-2001 press color for the E39 M5.

Not that I know of, unfortunately.

@@E39Source TO THE JUNK YARDS!! Lol

@@E39Source do you think the lens from other e39’s would work? Like from a older 528i. The instrument cluster’s screens are a little different but im wondering if len’s from other e39’s would fit.

@@jacobduncil4702 I would expect any E39 lens to work

The problem is probably with your RLS or prism/pad. Do you have any bubbles caught in the prism/pad? The RLS sensors are fairly delicate now too, so I would recommend swapping it out for another one that may work better.

@@E39Source Yes there are 2 bubbles which probably explains it. Will try and get another pad and see if that sorts it out. Appreciate it as always. 👍🏼

Why not use factory components for a clean and reliable installation?

@@E39Source The video seemed awfully in depth. there are DIYers out there that use a simple on/off adjustable time delay breadboard connected to a photo sensor spliced into the car's switch. I haven't seen anyone do it here though. I have an e39 540i and e53 x5 I've been wanting to convert. I'll share if I make time to do it. www.ebay.com/itm/DC-5V-12V-24V-Infinite-Cycle-Delay-Timing-Timer-Relay-Switch-ON-OFF-Loop-Module/122015186599?var=421018199292

@@innergame05 Interesting, I have not heard of that! Good luck and let me know if you do it. What I did wasn't too ad, but I'm used to work like this.

This would not unfortunately, the E36 does not use a light control module.

Another batch is coming into the United States soon (late May) so I would place an order and be patient! bit.ly/3bgAuSJ

@@E39Source awesome thank you!!

I have 5 of them! Please email me ryan@e39source.com

All E39 M5s use xenon headlights :)

That’s very nice that E39 M5s come with Xenon headlights. I wish mine came with Xenon headlights especially for 2008 5 series since yours was 2002. I wouldn’t have had to upgrade to LEDs if my 528i came with Xenon. But I’m glad I did the upgrade from Halogen to LEDs for my headlights. It was really worth it. Take care😊

@@vt6857 The M cars are generally several years 'ahead' of the standard vehicles when it comes to high-tech stuff like headlights. My M5 is actually a 2000, xenon lights were standard on the M5 in 2000. But you're taken care of now!

Hi there. Good to know. Thanks for the info😊

Possible? Yes. Thought much more involved, and I do not know the required steps.

Thanks for ur quick reply. I have done rear fog lights retrofit using ur video. I should send u a video of my 528i with all retrofits done to it ( front sport seat, rear privacy shades, m- sport single stage steering wheel, shadow trim , halo and led tail lights ) among other things . I love your channel , keep it up!!!!!

@@rafaelmolina2644 Very cool! I would love to see it. If you ever want to share your car with the E39Source audience, please see www.e39source.com/participate.

It sounds to me that either the prism installation is wrong (too many air bubbles, not in the right spot) or you have a bad RLS. Any error codes in the LCM?

E39Source Not so much air bubbles and no error codes from the LCM. I’m also suspecting that the prism was installed incorrectly. How can I correctly position the prism? Thank you.

@@YS-tb7cg That's a great question. Maybe compare it against another E39 with the prism? Look from the outside in and see if the whole thing is centered in the 'window'?

Not sure if you've tried this, but if you haven't coded it in to tell the car it has automatic wipers, it will just treat them like normal. My E46 is the opposite of this, I had to code my RLS out because the previous windshield shop installed the prism poorly, so it doesn't sense water. I just have them running like normal interval wipers now until I order a new pad.

Yes, the process would be about the same. RLS, prism, LCM, and new switch.

@@E39Source thanks! I also need a new windshield, any idea where best to source that?

@@BuzzOffFacker Windshields are sensitive. Apparently, they're easy to install incorrectly and then you get a noise at higher speeds that is horribly annoying. I would find a reputable glass place that can follow factory specifications for installation, and preferably has experience with E39 glass. As far as brands, Pilkington, Saint-Gobain Sekurit or PPG seem to be quality. I would recommend an OEM rubber seal for sure.

@@E39Source copy that, I'm trying to finally tie this whole car together and make it look how it's supposed to from factory

Yes! It is! I did this in my 2000 323Ci. I have a video in my channel.

I just have LCM IIIAs in stock right now. My position A do you mean 11:00 automatic mode? Halos are off during the day. When it gets dark, the halos and headlights come on. If you turn on the fog lights, regardless of time of day, all the lights will come on.

@@E39Source So if headlight switch in in Automatic mode,halos and led in back lights don't work,correct? With out automatic mode can you use just halos + foglights? Maybe you know how to programm,then switcher is in position "A", only halos and led in back lights will work? Sorry for my english,hope you can udnerstand what i mean.

@@5StillFree Correct. It sounds like you want DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) for the halos and rear LEDs. The LCM 4 can be programmed for this.

@@E39Source Yes you understand me,but LCM 4 don't work with xenon automatic level,correct? Or whitch LCM4 i need? any lcm 4? or LCM4 ohne. man. LWR? Im my country i need to use or headlights or halos + foglight like DRL(if i don't have DRLs from factory)

@@5StillFree I could not get it to work, but you can if you can figure out how to program it!

The MAX AC button doesn't work on the newer panel? It worked plug and play for mine.. no coding.

E39Source do you know what it takes to upgrade to max panel in my model year 98? thanks in advance

@@Exoskeleton1 I would assume that it would be the same as mine, mostly plug and play. Are you sure the panel you got works?

E39Source yes mine works every button even the rest function works i have tried so many panels with max non of them turns the blower

@@Exoskeleton1 Interesting, maybe something else changed? Does the REST panel allow the fan to work?

Good question... but why would you want to do that?

Because im a control freak 😆 no seriously, auto-levelling kills adjusters so much faster, so having manual control would be good.

@@y3v1k It's road vibrations and time on the plastic that kills the adjuster, I'd say.

I would recommend checking Ebay for used engines.

i waiting you thanx for replay

Yes! I have done both on my car.

@@E39Source Do you happen to have a part number of a photo for the light switch? I can either find a switch with auto lights or rear fogs. Can't find a switch with both on it.

@@BimmerFix This is the part for the automatic headlights: bit.ly/3iJEEXB. For the rear fog lights, please use this DIY: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ibGFor5Yg88.html

@@E39Source Yes I saw that video, that's why the question. The switches in these 2 videos are different. Also the coverings for the switches are different. Coverings with auto headlights don't have the fog option www.ebay.com/itm/114777188569 Those with fog option don't have auto option www.ebay.com.au/itm/323708193549 This is why I'm wondering how you can use both?

@@BimmerFix They are different switches. The automatic headlight retrofit replaces the headlight with (left) and bezel. The rear fog light retrofit replaces the fog light switch (right) and bezel. The headlights and fog lights are on different switches.

You should definitely be able to get auto lights on your E38! Do you have auto wipers already? If so, you should be able to just use the same RLS and prism that I used in this video. An LCM 3B from an E39 SHOULD work just fine, once coded. Are the headlight switches/bezels the same? I think so? All of these parts might just work perfectly.

@@E39Source The switch/bezel seem to be the same, but I'm going to verify on realoem if they actually use the same part number as the E39. Coding the LCM is going to be the tricky part for me. I actually have a laptop with all of the necessary software, but It (and the E38) have been sitting idle for quite a while so I'm hoping I can get the laptop to boot. The funny thing is a guy I work with that has a 98 E38 as his daily driver was asking about this exact retrofit because he has a bad habit of leaving his lights on. But my E38 is an '01 Sporty Shorty in Imola Red, and I'm trying to get her restored back to her former glory. Mechanically she's great but the body and interior need some work. But it's still a blast to drive. Thanks for all of the great content you've put out. I've found several of your videos to be very useful.

@@ajhieb Let me know if I can be of any assistance to either one of you guys! Good luck!

E39Source I am going to try this with my ‘98 E38. Just found a switch and bezel on eBay for $35. There is a recent X5 at a junkyard near me so I’m going to go there this weekend and get an LCM and the sensor/prism and any wiring associated with the install. If I run into any issues I’ll update you!

@@fluffyty19 Good luck please let me know how it goes!

Hello, the RLS will work with any headlight and tail light combination.

@@E39Source sorry but what about the module itself? LCM III B 6 915 919? As far as I know, it supports LCI headlights and taillights not PRELCI ones, headlights without angel eyes and taillights with bulbs.

@@Berkut1986 That is a good question, I have never tried to use a facelift LCM with pre-facelift lights. According to RealOEM, newer part # LCMs are "exchangeable retrospectively", meaning that it should work. This may require coding though.

Email me ryan@e39source.com

It's the 2001+ panel that features the MAX AC button instead of REST (but still works for REST when the conditions are right).

@@E39Source took me a while to read that the max ac button is also rest heat. Great option imho. Also when auto lamps are set to on, the lamps will always go on lowbeam when the foglamps are on.

@@hilledegroot Yes, MAX AC during normal operation but once the temperature drops below 59F, and the engine is warm, it will function in the residual heat mode. I did notice that about the fog lights. I always turn them on and off manually as I need them, but I know many people leave the fog switch in the on position, which is a habit they'll have to break with auto lights.

@@E39Source i prefer to drive with lamps always on. So auto lamps on and foglamps on. Presto :)

The feature that cars need to have retrofitted is a dimming windscreen to turn down the retina searing, atomic arms race of oem headlights.