Flickering headlights.

[e30e]

When my subs are hitting hard my headlights are flickering almost giving my lights an appearance of flashing. I turned down the bass at both the amp and head unit. The setup is a pioneer head unit, two 10 inch mtx subs, and of course I can't see my amp right now to get specs.

What's my next step for looking at stuff or what parts am I needing.

[Schnitzer318is]

You need a larger alternator... good luck. Or switch to HID headlights in US Projectors or smileys.

[DRTSRFR]

Where are you getting amp power?

Where is it grounded?

[Gregs///M]

This is very common. Here are a few tips to reduce or eliminate besides upgrading to HID as Schnitzer recommended (I do too.)

1. Clean and re-secure the grounds for the headlights. These are located in the engine bay near the wheel wells. Remove the ring lugs, clean with wire brush. Clean contact points. Secure tightly. All ground wires in BMW is solid brown.

2. Clean ground lugs from headlight/dimmer switch. I believe these are located under the steering column above the brake pedal. Do the same process as #1. There is a metal bracket above the brake pedal, it has two 10mm nuts. Clean those connections, which are shared with the cluster and windows. You might find your windows travel up faster.

3. I sell these alternator and ground cable upgrade kits. OEM is 8AWG equivalent and the upgrades are 2AWG. They handle much more current than the OEM. Once cable runs from the alternator to the starter and one is a replacement engine ground. The alternator cable alone would help since it will allow a greater current flow to the battery and thus to the amp.

4. Install a power capacitor in parallel with the bass amp. This should supply the amp with the current capacity that it needs.

5. Install a high output alternator or extra car battery.



GL

[Mouse]

This is very common. Here are a few tips to reduce or eliminate besides upgrading to HID as Schnitzer recommended (I do too.)

1. Clean and re-secure the grounds for the headlights. These are located in the engine bay near the wheel wells. Remove the ring lugs, clean with wire brush. Clean contact points. Secure tightly. All ground wires in BMW is solid brown.


GL

You definitely need to upgrade to take care of this problem, but this simple tip yields surprising results. Especially on our older..err experienced vehicles.