Headlights on E34 go out for no reason

[MarylandTim]

Hey all, I have a 1990 535i. When I am driving at night sometimes the headlights go off for no seemingly no reason. It does not coincide with me hitting a bump or anything like that. They will stay off from 10 seconds to 2 minutes and then come back on again. Has anyone ever experienced this? Does anyone have an iodea of what this is/could be? Any help is appreciated.

Tim

[cnn]

Originally Posted by MarylandTim

Hey all, I have a 1990 535i. When I am driving at night sometimes the headlights go off for no seemingly no reason. It does not coincide with me hitting a bump or anything like that. They will stay off from 10 seconds to 2 minutes and then come back on again. Has anyone ever experienced this? Does anyone have an iodea of what this is/could be? Any help is appreciated.

Tim

Dear Tim,

This link should help you. Likely LKM going bad, but new LKM unit is very expensive.
With basic soldering skill, you can tackle this project by fixing your LKM:

BMW E34 Website

Good Luck.

cnn
98 528i

[MarylandTim]

Thanks CNN, this sounds like my solution. I not much of a mechanic but it looks like something I can do myself.

[LOS]

... or try getting a used unit from BMW Parts used and rebuilt bmw auto parts

LOS

[cnn]

Originally Posted by MarylandTim

Thanks CNN, this sounds like my solution. I not much of a mechanic but it looks like something I can do myself.

A soldering kit costs about $15 or so.
Get a throw-out radio or some old circuit for practising soldering skills.
It is basically meting solder to join circuit.

Not rocket science.
Also look online video like Yahoo video search, some websites will show you how to solder. Example:
Soldering Tips and Solder Techniques | Video Soldering Tips from BEST

Good Luck.

[MarylandTim]

I'm looking at a couple of LKMs on ebay. If I can get one for under $20 I figure that would be worth saving me the trouble of having to repair my current messed up one. Thanks for the advice guys.

[MarylandTim]

OK I just went out to my car to pull the LKM out and it won't come out. It seems like it is more to it than just pulling it. Can someone tell me what in the world I need to do to get this thing out? I pulled with all my might and the sucker ain't comin' out.

[MarylandTim]

Well I did get the LKM out, soldered the circuit board and my problem has gone away!! Thanks for your help guys.