Most likely culprit for "strobe headlights"
 

I recently purchased a 2009 MCS. 121k on the clock, but has a salvage title. Car looks to be in decent shape, but has a few issues.

My primary concern is the headlights. I am getting both high beam and low beam errors, and the headlights flash like strobe lights when they are turned on. I believe they are the Bi-Xenon lights, this will be verified tomorrow.

Most likely culprits from my research are:
1 Weak Battery
2 Xenon Ballast(s)
3 FRM (or connectors)
4 Small gremlin that doesn't like the car's new owner

Am I thinking along the right lines?

As a bit of an aside, while mechanically I have a decent amount of experience, all these sensors and electronics are new to me. What hardware and software should I expect to invest in? I do everything I possibly can myself.


EDIT: Sorry for the placement of this thread, didn't realize it was under "Modifications." Can someone move it to the main Gen2 forum?

Water damage ? Run a car fax and try and see why it was a total loss for the other owner.

MINI ‘s do not like water.

If the car was originally supplied with halogen headlights, and is now equipped with HID headlights, might need to be re-coded for the HID lights. The strobe lights could be from the bulb check.

Ran the report, vehicle was a theft recovery in 2017. Dodged a bullet there.

Headlamps appear to be stock BiXenon, not an upgrade.

Battery appears to be fairly new, haven't put a meter on it yet.

I did find that if the ignition is on and engine off, the lights - both high and low beam - will work just fine. Once the engine is running, they go dark or start strobing.

Start with scanning your car for codes but it could be a BCM going bad.

Will there be a code that Torque (Android app) can read, or do I need to get the Schwaben tool first?

After a bit of research I answered my own question, sorry for the newbie question.

I have come to the conclusion I do indeed need a new or repaired FRM. After a heavy rain I noticed water in the floorboard, presuming sunroof drain issues.


Has anyone on here used one of the mail-in options? Is it realistically possible to repair it myself with NCSexpert / Tool32 / ISTA?

Schwaben came in the mail today, getting high and low beam codes for both right and left headlights. Also getting a code for left side marker light, I'll be checking the bulb tomorrow.

Once I get Tool32 up and running, I'll check the short circuit counters, though the Schwaben didn't indicate any current shorts.

Any input or advice is deeply appreciated.

I know there is no apparent interest in this thread, just putting information here for future reference.

I was able to reset the FRM in NCS Expert - NO MORE STROBES!

Unfortunately my high beam and hazard lights are not functioning, though I expect that will be a relatively easy fix in Tool32.

As always, pointers and input appreciated.

SOLVED!!!

Strobing was fixed by a rewrite of VO/FA to FRM with NCSExpert, but then I had no high beams or hazards. Running through diagnosis I was able to engage high beams with the Schwaben, but no signal input indicated on INPA/e90.

Issue was loose/dirty connections on the input connectors at the FRM.