INSTALLATION
You've fitted your new headlights and something isn't quite right: a warning on the dash, indicators flashing fast or a light flickering. Don't worry. It's almost always a quick fix, and you're never on your own with it.
VMSS headlights are plug and play for all main functions, and most cars show no warnings at all. If something does appear, check the connectors and clear the stored fault codes first. Still there? Message us. Any coding needed to make the main functions work is free, always. If you'd just like a leftover dashboard warning removed, we can do it remotely for £30.
First: what did you fit?
The fix depends completely on this, and mixing the two up is where most bad advice online comes from.
Why it happens
Your BMW constantly checks its lights by measuring the power each one draws. The moment the old headlights are unplugged, it records "light out" faults, and those can stay on the dash even after the new lights are working perfectly. Some cars also send tiny test pulses through the lights, or dim them by switching the power on and off very fast. A sensitive LED can show that as a flicker.
Common symptoms and the first thing to try
| What you see | Usual cause | First thing to do |
|---|---|---|
| Warning on the dash, but all lights work | Old fault stored while the headlights were unplugged | Clear the fault codes, drive for a few minutes, check again |
| One light not working | Connector not fully clicked in, or a pin pushed back | Unplug, check the pins and refit until it clicks |
| Indicator flashing fast | The car thinks the indicator has failed | Check the connector, then message us |
| "Adaptive headlight" warning | The car had adaptive headlights from the factory | Message us. It's fixed by coding |
| Flicker that changes with revs | Weak battery or charging | Get the battery tested first |
| Flicker only on your phone camera | The camera catching LED pulses | Normal. Check with your own eyes |
| Problems after rain or a car wash | Water in a connector | Dry and reseat the connectors |
Complete VMSS headlights: the quick checks
Work through these in order. Most cases are sorted by step 3.
- Right version: check the version you ordered matches your factory headlights (halogen, xenon or LED, adaptive or not). On F32, F33, F36 and F8x cars, check the pin count too.
- Connectors and pins: unplug and refit every connector until it clicks. Look for a pin that has pushed back into the plug, which is the classic cause of one function not working.
- Clear stored faults: use a scanner or a phone app with an OBD adapter to clear the codes, then drive for a few minutes. Very often the warning simply disappears.
- Battery: a tired battery causes all sorts of odd lighting behaviour. Always disconnect it before working on the lights, too.
- Message us: send a short video and a photo of the connector. If coding is needed to make anything work, it's free.
LED bulbs in old headlights: a different story
Cheap LED bulbs pushed into halogen headlights are the classic cause of flicker, warnings and fast indicators. An LED bulb draws a fraction of the power the car expects, so it thinks the bulb has blown. The usual fixes are coding the car to expect LEDs, fitting a resistor or a decoder, or, on older cars, swapping the flasher relay.
A complete LED headlight set avoids this whole problem, because the headlight and its electronics are designed together for your car.
How our coding support works
- Free, always: any coding needed to make the main headlight functions work is free, during and after your warranty.
- £30 warning removal: if everything works but you'd like a leftover dashboard message removed or masked, we can do it remotely.
- 12-month warranty: if a main lighting function stops working, we'll diagnose it and repair or replace.
To help us help you fast, send: your order number, your car and year, a short video of the problem, a photo of the connector and a photo of any warning on the dash.
Buy with confidence
Questions customers ask
Will I definitely get a warning?
No. Most cars show no warnings at all after fitting VMSS headlights.
Do I need to pay for coding?
Not if it's needed to make the main functions work. That's always free. The only paid option is removing or masking a leftover dashboard warning, which is £30.
Can you code my car without me visiting?
Yes. We do it remotely. Message us and we'll explain what you need.
Is a fault covered by the warranty?
If a main lighting function stops working properly within 12 months, yes. Contact us with your order number and a video of the fault.
Still seeing a warning?
Message us with a short video and a photo of the connector. We'll tell you exactly what's going on and how to fix it.
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