Lost Low Beam Headlights. E36

[Kurt Sampara]

I just lost both low beam headlights on my 97 E36. I got a "low beam failure" on the computer??? Fuses seem fine. Could it be the Relay? I have Euro lights just factory and they have been in the car for over 2 years. Should I start with the relay and fuses and work backwards. They were on fine following an alternator change and then the failure? Any advice. Thanks, Kurt.

[Manolito]

I don't have a manual handy, but if it is not a fuse, or the bulbs, or the relay, the next suspect is the sensor circuit that detects a bulb out by comparing current flow to the two headlights.

Does the dimmer relay click when you flick the dimmer switch in the turn light lever?

I had thr bulb-out sensor fail on a Volvo. It is a relatively expensive part, and the tail light sensor parts of it still work, so I cut the wires to the headlight low beams and bypassed it. I figure I can tell when a low beam fails. I don't need a warning light for that. I opened mine up to confirm that I could get away with bypassing it (headlights independent from other circuits). Not sure what would happen if you bypassed the sensor on an e36.

[Jeron]

Since you just put in a new alternator I'd worry about the voltage regulator. Although, I'd check the low beam relay first.

Was the alt new or refurbed?

[Kurt Sampara]

The alternator was a refurb, which I had to replace twice. The first was screaming. The second is still louder then the origional, but works. If I did it again I would go with new. I still don't have lights, the fuses are fine and I switched the high beam relay with the low and still no low beam. What should I try next. The high beams still work with the light switch in the on position. Is it the light switch or the stalk with high/low? Help.