BMW F30 is the name used to describe the model of BMW 3 series vehicles produced between 2012-2018. The traditional headlights and taillights used in the previous generation in these vehicles have been revised with LEDs.
Ring-shaped LED lights known as angel eyes are used in the headlights of BMW F30 vehicles for the daytime running light (DRL). The daytime running lights turn on at full brightness the moment the car is started. Even when the headlights are turned on, they continue to work by dimming the brightness a little. LED daytime running lights give the vehicle a modern look, both during day and night driving.
It is a common problem that one or more of the rings in the LED daytime running lights go out, especially in the F30 body type of the BMW 3 series. The biggest cause of LED failure in these vehicles is the humid environment in the headlights. If the inside of the headlight is too humid, oxidation occurs on the LEDs and the driver circuit located at the base of the headlight, causing them to malfunction.
Although authorized services say that it is not possible to repair and the headlight should be replaced, this is not true. It is possible to repair the headlight by replacing the LEDs or related electronics in the headlight. When LED replacement is done properly, it is possible to use it with the first day’s performance and for many years without any problems. It should also be noted that LED headlight repair costs less (about one tenth) than the replacement cost.
In order to repair the LED daytime running light, the headlight must first be removed from the vehicle. To remove the headlight, the bumper must be partially disassembled. After removing the headlight, the LED modules and the driver board are removed. Small voltages such as 2 V, 3 V are applied to the LEDs by limiting the current through the DC power supply. In this way, defective LEDs are detected. Defective LEDs are removed with the help of hot air. Soldering points are cleaned with the help of flux and pre-soldered. The new LEDs are replaced with the help of hot air. All components on the LED module and driver module are checked. If there is a faulty electronic component, it is replaced with a new one. Finally, all circuit boards are cleaned with appropriate chemicals. In this way, the repair is completed.
Small-sized OSLON Black Flat Series LEDs developed for slim designs by OSRAM, a Germany-based lighting equipment manufacturer, are used in the daytime running lights of BMW F30 vehicles. There are 4 white LEDs in 3 different modules to illuminate the rings inside the headlight. The manufacturer code of the LED is LUW HWQP. If an LED is to be replaced, only this LED should be used. When a different LED is used, problems such as color mismatch, inhomogeneous illumination of the ring, overheating, melting of the light guide or failure in a short time may occur.
Since the size of the LED is very small, its installation is also a very sensitive issue. A mistake made during assembly may cause the LED headlight modules to become completely unusable. Therefore, repairs should only be carried out by specialists.
