should my headlights pulse/flicker when car started?

[the shreksta]

i have never noticed before but my headlights on my 2004 facelift e53 flicker/pulse about 12-15 times when the car is started.

is this normal?

[X5Sport]

Xenon HID or filament?  The angel eyes may flicker if not OEM and replaced with LEDs due to the bulb check.  Filament lamps don't light up as fast as LED so you never normally see the flicker.

Aftermarket lighting solutions could well allow you to see the check going on.  It's how the car tests for bulb failure.

[the shreksta]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Xenon HID or filament?  The angel eyes may flicker if not OEM and replaced with LEDs due to the bulb check.  Filament lamps don't light up as fast as LED so you never normally see the flicker.

Aftermarket lighting solutions could well allow you to see the check going on.  It's how the car tests for bulb failure.
[/quote]

im not sure if they are oe or not, ive not changed them for any upgrade type.

[Steamyrotter]

Any LED type filaments added flash as above
Xenon might but depends on the ballast really.
(Effectively it's a filter so wouldn't normally see it, but electronic ones may flash)

The normal filaments shouldn't flash, but you may see a tiny glow as it is passing current (although very small)
It would be very hard to see me thinks.

[the shreksta]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Any LED type filaments added flash as above
Xenon might but depends on the ballast really.
(Effectively it's a filter so wouldn't normally see it, but electronic ones may flash)

The normal filaments shouldn't flash, but you may see a tiny glow as it is passing current (although very small)
It would be very hard to see me thinks.
[/quote]

so how do i find out what i have?

[Steamyrotter]

Not being funny...
But the only way to tell is to look at them

Normal halogen will look like a little coil of wire in the middle
Xenon usually have 2 quite thick cables going to the lamp
Led may look frosted, yellow or resemble a pine cone!!

Google the different types

[the shreksta]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Not being funny...
But the only way to tell is to look at them

Normal halogen will look like a little coil of wire in the middle
Xenon usually have 2 quite thick cables going to the lamp
Led may look frosted, yellow or resemble a pine cone!!

Google the different types
[/quote]

so there is no way of telling without taking the bulb out?

i should have said that both halo rings each side were flickering all at the same time and all in sync with each other

[Horizon]

Mine did it on my Led aftermarket front marker light, and also on my 3 series.
my mate noticed my OS front marker was no working the other day, I hadn't had a bulb check warning on the dash.
I unplugged the wires from that bulb and the warning appeared immediately. The aftermarket LED's have a circuit built in to kid the can us/ light check that a normal build is fitted, so when it blows the LED bulb no warning is registered. Not impressed as they were the 80w ones aren't weren't cheap. ( just fitted 13 months ago )
Just reordered some replacements.

[the shreksta]

[quote="Horizon"]
Mine did it on my Led aftermarket front marker light, and also on my 3 series.
my mate noticed my OS front marker was no working the other day, I hadn't had a bulb check warning on the dash.
I unplugged the wires from that bulb and the warning appeared immediately. The aftermarket LED's have a circuit built in to kid the can us/ light check that a normal build is fitted, so when it blows the LED bulb no warning is registered. Not impressed as they were the 80w ones aren't weren't cheap. ( just fitted 13 months ago )
Just reordered some replacements.

[robsey29]

The halo rings will either be a yellow light (standard) or white light (aftermarket) have a look at the colour which will tell you.

[henrym3]

Aftermarket LEDs flashing. Bloody hell, you learn something every day. They have only been fitted 2 years and never noticed.