Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
-
- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2014 12:48 pm
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Hi all just got a 3.0 and the left head light just gave me an error and has stopped working
There seems to be condensation on the inside of the unit
Any suggestions/ tips or ideas or do I need to replace
Any ideas for replacement
I like the Amber blinkers and the silver inners
Anyone got a left headlight spare?
There seems to be condensation on the inside of the unit
Any suggestions/ tips or ideas or do I need to replace
Any ideas for replacement
I like the Amber blinkers and the silver inners
Anyone got a left headlight spare?
- Attachments
-
- 20240103_083428.jpg (372.75 KiB) Viewed 276 times
- colb
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1648
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:45 pm
- Location: Newport, South Wales UK
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
I assume you have Xenon bulbs or are they Halogen?
Try our resident Breakers for a replacement on here you will find them posting on here.
In the meantime check out the condition of the wiring inside the unit and with the rear access panel removed use a hair dryer to blow into the unit to dry it out. Usual cause is the seal on the access cover being bad when refitting it ensure it gets a tight seal, an application of Gummi pledge rubber conditioner on the seal may help or rubber grease to achieve a good seal. Do not heat the front of the headlight lens it can discolour with too much heat on the inside surface.
Try our resident Breakers for a replacement on here you will find them posting on here.
In the meantime check out the condition of the wiring inside the unit and with the rear access panel removed use a hair dryer to blow into the unit to dry it out. Usual cause is the seal on the access cover being bad when refitting it ensure it gets a tight seal, an application of Gummi pledge rubber conditioner on the seal may help or rubber grease to achieve a good seal. Do not heat the front of the headlight lens it can discolour with too much heat on the inside surface.
Z Shed Cymru member
1999 1.8 Z3
2003 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville 650
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... source=url
1999 1.8 Z3
2003 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville 650
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... source=url
- paddy wright
- Lifer
- Posts: 7667
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
- Location: south yorkshire
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
If Xenon’s which it looks like they are the condensation has likely drawn into the ballast on the bottom a killed it. Bumper off and try switching driver to passenger ballasts to see if the problem is related to ballast. Head light off and into the house to dry out while you wait on a cheap replacement ballast from eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325801614954 ... media=COPY
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325801614954 ... media=COPY
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!
-
- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2014 12:48 pm
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Yes xenonscolb wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:22 am I assume you have Xenon bulbs or are they Halogen?
Try our resident Breakers for a replacement on here you will find them posting on here.
In the meantime check out the condition of the wiring inside the unit and with the rear access panel removed use a hair dryer to blow into the unit to dry it out. Usual cause is the seal on the access cover being bad when refitting it ensure it gets a tight seal, an application of Gummi pledge rubber conditioner on the seal may help or rubber grease to achieve a good seal. Do not heat the front of the headlight lens it can discolour with too much heat on the inside surface.
Ok awesome yes will try that
-
- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2014 12:48 pm
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Ok awesomepaddy wright wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 12:29 pm If Xenon’s which it looks like they are the condensation has likely drawn into the ballast on the bottom a killed it. Bumper off and try switching driver to passenger ballasts to see if the problem is related to ballast. Head light off and into the house to dry out while you wait on a cheap replacement ballast from eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325801614954 ... media=COPY
Thanks so much
- paddy wright
- Lifer
- Posts: 7667
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
- Location: south yorkshire
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
No problem, hope it works for you. Let me know how you get on or if you need anything.Theivz wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 2:34 amOk awesomepaddy wright wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 12:29 pm If Xenon’s which it looks like they are the condensation has likely drawn into the ballast on the bottom a killed it. Bumper off and try switching driver to passenger ballasts to see if the problem is related to ballast. Head light off and into the house to dry out while you wait on a cheap replacement ballast from eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325801614954 ... media=COPY
Thanks so much
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!
- x-driver
- Member
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2023 1:48 am
- Location: Slovenia
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
It happened to me as well, the second day after I purchased the car and delivered it home. The water made some damage to the silver background so I bought another used headlight then.
- Reamesy
- Member
- Posts: 655
- Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2020 12:40 pm
- Location: Whitchurch
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Have you tried just swapping out the lamp itself with the other side to rule out the basics. Then look further afield if it’s the same result. Sorry if I’m pointing out the obvious.
Then look to get new rear covers after drying out your lights. They are around £30 a pair from BMW. I know this because I went through all the different steps even swapping the seals round and inverted them. Only new covers solved water ingress.
Another tip is to let the lights come to outside ambient temperature before sealing the rear covers as warm air from inside will condense.
Then look to get new rear covers after drying out your lights. They are around £30 a pair from BMW. I know this because I went through all the different steps even swapping the seals round and inverted them. Only new covers solved water ingress.
Another tip is to let the lights come to outside ambient temperature before sealing the rear covers as warm air from inside will condense.
Currently; 2011 E89 23i SDrive M Sport Highline Titan Silver
Previously;
2014 SLK250CDI AMG Sport
2012 E89 SDrive 2.0 M Sport. White
2011 Audi TT Quattro
2006 Z4 2.5 Sport
2013 420D coupe
2002 Z3 2.2 Sport
1996 Z3 1.9
Previously;
2014 SLK250CDI AMG Sport
2012 E89 SDrive 2.0 M Sport. White
2011 Audi TT Quattro
2006 Z4 2.5 Sport
2013 420D coupe
2002 Z3 2.2 Sport
1996 Z3 1.9
-
- Member
- Posts: 331
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:19 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Hmmm.... I have to think about that one for a minute. I don't see the benefit of doing this unless I'm missing something Won't the air inside warm and cool regardless of the air temp inside when the covers are put on?
Current: 2005 Z4 2.5i: first time to own a BMW and loving it!
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14801
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Warm air from indoors will hold more moisture. So when it goes outside the moisture will drop out of suspension and collect in your lights.StudioWizard wrote: ↑Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:04 pmHmmm.... I have to think about that one for a minute. I don't see the benefit of doing this unless I'm missing something Won't the air inside warm and cool regardless of the air temp inside when the covers are put on?
Leave the light unit open and the air will all mix and hopefully any moisture will escape before you seal it up.
-
- Member
- Posts: 331
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:19 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Btw, is there a safe way to test the headlight assembly seal before installing it? ChatGPT said to submerge in water which sounds like a horrible idea. haha It also said to try a low pressure blower inside and then listen for any hissing sound. That also sounds iffy to me since the blower will be making a hissing sound as well. The only other viable suggestion it gave was to leave the assembly sitting out in a warm, dry place and observe any possible condensation.
Any human suggestions?
Any human suggestions?
Current: 2005 Z4 2.5i: first time to own a BMW and loving it!
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
-
- Member
- Posts: 331
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:19 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Thanks for the clarification. That makes sense.
Current: 2005 Z4 2.5i: first time to own a BMW and loving it!
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
- Reamesy
- Member
- Posts: 655
- Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2020 12:40 pm
- Location: Whitchurch
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
I would not suggest submergingStudioWizard wrote: ↑Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:09 pm Btw, is there a safe way to test the headlight assembly seal before installing it? ChatGPT said to submerge in water which sounds like a horrible idea. haha It also said to try a low pressure blower inside and then listen for any hissing sound. That also sounds iffy to me since the blower will be making a hissing sound as well. The only other viable suggestion it gave was to leave the assembly sitting out in a warm, dry place and observe any possible condensation.
Any human suggestions?
Currently; 2011 E89 23i SDrive M Sport Highline Titan Silver
Previously;
2014 SLK250CDI AMG Sport
2012 E89 SDrive 2.0 M Sport. White
2011 Audi TT Quattro
2006 Z4 2.5 Sport
2013 420D coupe
2002 Z3 2.2 Sport
1996 Z3 1.9
Previously;
2014 SLK250CDI AMG Sport
2012 E89 SDrive 2.0 M Sport. White
2011 Audi TT Quattro
2006 Z4 2.5 Sport
2013 420D coupe
2002 Z3 2.2 Sport
1996 Z3 1.9
-
- Member
- Posts: 331
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:19 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Agreed. That's a horrible idea! haha I told GhatGPT that as well and it agreed and apologized.... for real.
Current: 2005 Z4 2.5i: first time to own a BMW and loving it!
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
Previous: 2018 Chevy Volt / 2004 Acura RSX Type S / 1989 Acura Intergra RS / 1982 Ford Escort / 1968 VW Bus
-
- Member
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:16 am
- Location: West Yorkshire
Headlight condensation and main beam not working
Will be having a go at this tomorrow hopefully too now that it's finally stopped continuously raining for a bit I've bought a new headlight cover thing just to be on the safe side. Was planning on taking the cover off, getting my hairdryer out and then just leaving the cover off the rest of the day so it can match up with the outside air in terms of temperature and then put it back together and hope for the best!
BMW 3.0si Coupe
IG: @abbas2kk
IG: @abbas2kk