Help Issues with my angel eyes parkers!!

[DeeBmer]

Hi there people,

A couple weeks ago i installed angel eyes on my e46 328i sedan and noticed
that everytime im about to start the car (when the key is turned to acc
before cranking) the angel eyes flash 3 times all at the same time(all 4)!!?!
Now ive soldered the cables directly to the negative and positive parker cables from the bimmer to the units inverter cables.
Ive replaced the inverters with new ones and it does not make any difference. So im led to believe that its any electrical fault! maybe?!?

Has anyone ever had this issue with standard parkers?!?

Your input would be much appreciated!

Thankyou
DeeBmer

[Pegus]

Do they work after flashing?

[DeeBmer]

Yes after the flashes they switch off until i actually put them on via turning the parker light/head light switch!

[EMPOWR]

NOTE: First you start the car, then you turn on your headlights.

What your experiencing is normal, but not evident on all cars. The ballasts used for the angel eyes rely on constant electrical current (not voltage), when you switch ignition to acc then your abs, airbag, and all the gizmos draw power to initialise thus draining power from your CCFL's.

[DeeBmer]

Thanks EmPOWR,
However i spoke to the person i bought it off and i asked them if its normal and they said NO! Is it because i have a 98 e46 328 that maybe the system in the car is a bit different from the rest? I also noticed that the Brown wire in my car is negative and the Black Positive?
Strange

Thankyou again,
Deebmer

[Pegus]

I don't have this issue with my car, perhaps ask other pre-00 E46 owners with angel eyes?

It sounds to me like it may be sending a check signal to see if the bulb is blown or not. Does it do the same if you put your normal bulbs in?

[Wald0]

Mine in the E36 were noticeably dimmer when the car wasn't running, but didn't 'flash'. I'm not sure if the E36 and E46 OBC's are the same but mine never gave a park bulb failure or anything, from memory it only checked the low beam, not park lights but I could be wrong.

Not much help I know, but I think what EMPOWR said sounds about right, given mine were quite dull and uneven until the car was actually running I suspect most CCFL's are designed only to be working PROPERLY when the car is actually running... Something to do with the voltage coming up to 14V due to the alternator, as opposed to 12V or something IIRC?

[EMPOWR]

Just perform a little test to find the issue.

Test 1: With no ignition, startup the CCFL's. Do they flicker?
Test 2: With ignition, start up the CCFL's. Do they flicker?
Test 3: With engine running, start up CCFL's. Do they flicker?

If the answer to test 2 is YES only then its your electrical components initialising. If it happens otherwise, something is wrong with the ballasts.

Simple as that.

[DeeBmer]

Thankyou to everyone for their assistence in this puzzling issue!

EMPOWR:
THe ccfl's does not flicker at all, only when i turn the key to acc (Without the parkers switch turned on). I see what you mean though with all the pretest happening, checking airbags etc. I watched it and i dont know if its coincidence however when the pre test is finish doing its cycle the ccfl stops flashing!
Question: If i replace the ccfl with my original parkers should the same things happen? Thats one thing i have yet to try but i will!

Thanks
Deebmer

[Pegus]

I guess one way to stop it happening is to turn your ccfl on before starting the car...

[GTRbutwannaM3]

I was told that installing angel eyes on your starter circuit can stuff the lighting control module...is this true?

[323Sum]

I know that the CCFL Angel Eyes flicker while just on acc (mine do) but once you start the car they brighten even more and stop flickering.

Perhaps you should go to a bmw mechanic and do a diagnostic test on electrical.