I just bought my 2003 Cooper S, and the right/passenger side Xenon/Hid low beam doesn't always work, and when it does it seems to be at a lower brightness relative to the other side, or it will brighter and driver side lower. Also.. the license plate light bulb prong/holders need to be replaced on both sides.. The left one in the left light compartment only has one prong on it and the right one on the right side light compartment is incredibly flimsy and will not hold a light in there, also missing the cover for it. Is the stuff for the license plate lights easy to fix/acquire? And where do I start with the headlights? This Xenon/HID stuff is all new to me. Any info would be much appreciated!!!

 

First thing I would try swapping bulbs, very easy to do. If that doesn't solve the problem I would guess the ignitor is going bad, which means you need a new light assembly since they are sealed and you can not get to the ignitor.

But before that you can try swapping the ballasts, the boxes on the bottom of the lights.

Good luck!

 

Oh, as far as the rear light, a new handle, with all the bits is about $200 or so at the dealer.

Look at the junkyards, or fabricate your own harness for the bulbs.

Sounds like someone tried to replace the bulbs by prying the lens off, rather than unscrewing the handle from the body.

 

I swapped out the bulbs and it worked in other spot. So i should be able to switch the silver boxes at the bottom of the assembly? I'm assuming that means that piece is replaceable if that fixes my problem?

 

Correct, you would be able to find a good used one, not sure how much a new one is, $400 I think or so. Unfortunately I think it is the igniter.

 

If it's going to cost that much to replace them, if that is the problem then is a good possibility that i could sell my good one and maybe even the bad for for someone that could get parts out of it, and then just buy a cheaper set of headlights. I Like the brightness of these lights but i don't mind normal ones easier, and if the ones I have the washers in them and I really really don't need those. Does selling them sound like a feasible option? If so how much do you think I could get for them?