E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Condensation in Headlight

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 9, 2009 | 11:50 AM
  #1  
wlkonacloud's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributors
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: New York
My Ride: 2008 550i Alpine white
Default

So I just got back from a drive, and decided to hose off some dirt. And then I realize that my headlamp has some condensation, this has never happened before. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance guys.

Condensation in Headlight-photo_050909_003.jpgCondensation in Headlight-photo_050909_004.jpg
Attached Thumbnails Condensation in Headlight-photo_050909_004_1_.jpg  
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 11:53 AM
  #2  
EV4530's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 0
From: Miami Gardens, FL
Default

I'd take a visit to the local dealership since you're under warranty.
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 12:01 PM
  #3  
wolf's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia - USA
My Ride: 2007 550i Jet Black|Black Options: Sport|Premium|Cold Weather|PDC|Nav|Satellite Radio|Active Steering|Convenience Entry Mods: Trinity Side Skirts|Trinity Black Grilles|LCI Tail Lights with Bruce V6|Fog Light Bezel Rings|MTEC V2 Angel Eyes|LED License Plate Lights
Default

Originally Posted by wlkonacloud' post='873669' date='May 9 2009, 03:50 PM
So I just got back from a drive, and decided to hose off some dirt. And then I realize that my headlamp has some condensation, this has never happened before. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance guys.

Attachment 79043Attachment 79044

That happened to me in my old e39. It was out of warrantee. I took the light assembly out of the car and waited until the light dried. I then took some silicon sealant and ran it around the edges. I put it back in the car - and - no more condensation.
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 12:06 PM
  #4  
CWS530's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Default

I seem to recall a debate on here regarding whether the light housings were fully sealed or "vented" for some purpose. IIRC, some said condensation was normal, others disagreed. I've never seen it on mine, and would be inclined to run it by the dealer just to be safe (and get it documented). Big help, huh? GL.
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 12:12 PM
  #5  
wolf's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia - USA
My Ride: 2007 550i Jet Black|Black Options: Sport|Premium|Cold Weather|PDC|Nav|Satellite Radio|Active Steering|Convenience Entry Mods: Trinity Side Skirts|Trinity Black Grilles|LCI Tail Lights with Bruce V6|Fog Light Bezel Rings|MTEC V2 Angel Eyes|LED License Plate Lights
Default

Originally Posted by wlkonacloud' post='873669' date='May 9 2009, 03:50 PM
So I just got back from a drive, and decided to hose off some dirt. And then I realize that my headlamp has some condensation, this has never happened before. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance guys.

Attachment 79043Attachment 79044

You might want to check that all your lights (in the back of the assembly are securely fitted in place.
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 12:36 PM
  #6  
russdx's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Bristol UK
My Ride: 55 525D Sport Full Black Leather Visibility Pack Media Pack
Default

be careful

it happened to my front light and its blown the brow leds and completely corroded the chrome (light looks shit now)

im on extended warranty and stealer says its not covered even though they admitted the light was faulty !!!

still trying to work out better way to mend the lamp then pay bmw ?1000 for another one (to replace a bit of chrome)
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 01:47 PM
  #7  
sholaesq's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

Take it to the dealer ASAP. That is a $1500 fix. It happened to my car under warranty and the SA told me it would have been a $1500 bill for each side.
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 02:02 PM
  #8  
wlkonacloud's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributors
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: New York
My Ride: 2008 550i Alpine white
Default

Thanks for all the feedback, it went away within 5 minutes. Didn't look like any moisture even got into the headlamp. Will bring it to the dealer, I am sure they will give me some run around about it.
Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 02:05 PM
  #9  
CWS530's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Default

Originally Posted by sholaesq' post='873752' date='May 9 2009, 04:47 PM
SA told me it would have been a $1500 bill for each side.
I didn't even know they made a $1500 bill!

Reply
Old May 9, 2009 | 02:08 PM
  #10  
theXman's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
My Ride: 2004 530i
Model Year: 2004
Default

Originally Posted by CWS530' post='873770' date='May 9 2009, 06:05 PM
I didn't even know they made a $1500 bill!

Only in funny money
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:27 AM.