Headlight Wiring Outer Jacket Deteriorating
#11
New Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '06 530i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi twh,
The answer is yes these are the wires inside the headlight.
I completely disassembled the headlight after removing the front lens.
The wires insulation just flakes off to the touch!
I own a 1995 Chevy S-10 and after 19 years it does not have a wiring problem and no wires have insulation flaking off.
The kicker is that the S-10 and BMW have been parked side by side!
Go figure Huh!
That's why I laughed at the Lauderdale BMW "Specialist" when he told me it was the Florida Sun!
I also told him that if it was in fact the Florida Sun..there are going to be an awful lot of unhappy BMW owners!!!
Can you imagine just how many BMW's there are in the State of Florida let alone where I live in the Fort Lauderdale / Miami area!
Bud
Wow.
Are these wires from inside the headlight assembly or are they the outside wiring harness?
Are these wires from inside the headlight assembly or are they the outside wiring harness?
I completely disassembled the headlight after removing the front lens.
The wires insulation just flakes off to the touch!
Maybe the hot FL air has some part in this. Are you by the water? Maybe also salt air.
The kicker is that the S-10 and BMW have been parked side by side!
Go figure Huh!
That's why I laughed at the Lauderdale BMW "Specialist" when he told me it was the Florida Sun!
I also told him that if it was in fact the Florida Sun..there are going to be an awful lot of unhappy BMW owners!!!
Can you imagine just how many BMW's there are in the State of Florida let alone where I live in the Fort Lauderdale / Miami area!
Bud
Last edited by BuddyB; 09-27-2014 at 07:41 AM.
#12
Members
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
Posts: 2,539
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
6 Posts
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Your Complaint Information has been successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation Number (ODI Number) is: 10639524.
I filed a complaint too. Thanks for posting, never thought of contacting NHTSA. I definitely encourage everyone who has experienced this to do the same.
Your Confirmation Number (ODI Number) is: 10639524.
I filed a complaint too. Thanks for posting, never thought of contacting NHTSA. I definitely encourage everyone who has experienced this to do the same.
Last edited by KyleB; 09-27-2014 at 08:52 AM.
#14
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just filed mine too!
#15
New Members
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 545i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Planning to take a look at mine next week when I have time. If it's deteriorated I'll be filing my complaint as well & will try to fix with some liquid or shrink tubing.
#16
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just pull the cover where your AE bulb goes and if you have the problem, you will clearly see the bare wires. If the wiring looks ok, be gentle with them because if you start to bend and flex ant of the wires the insulation will most likely begin to crumble and expose the bare wire inside.
#17
New Members
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yikes.
Now, if these headlights are like most of the modern thermoplastic back/polycarbonate lens front design, they're put together with sealant. Taking them apart requires ~5 minutes in your home oven (set oven to 250F for 15 minutes first to let it stabilize) followed by prying gently to get them apart. You usually need to add sealant when putting them back together, then give them another ~5 minute bake to flow the sealant. I've done it on Subaru and Infiniti lamps.
Now, if these headlights are like most of the modern thermoplastic back/polycarbonate lens front design, they're put together with sealant. Taking them apart requires ~5 minutes in your home oven (set oven to 250F for 15 minutes first to let it stabilize) followed by prying gently to get them apart. You usually need to add sealant when putting them back together, then give them another ~5 minute bake to flow the sealant. I've done it on Subaru and Infiniti lamps.
#18
New Members
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 545i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just pull the cover where your AE bulb goes and if you have the problem, you will clearly see the bare wires. If the wiring looks ok, be gentle with them because if you start to bend and flex ant of the wires the insulation will most likely begin to crumble and expose the bare wire inside.
#19
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yikes.
Now, if these headlights are like most of the modern thermoplastic back/polycarbonate lens front design, they're put together with sealant. Taking them apart requires ~5 minutes in your home oven (set oven to 250F for 15 minutes first to let it stabilize) followed by prying gently to get them apart. You usually need to add sealant when putting them back together, then give them another ~5 minute bake to flow the sealant. I've done it on Subaru and Infiniti lamps.
Now, if these headlights are like most of the modern thermoplastic back/polycarbonate lens front design, they're put together with sealant. Taking them apart requires ~5 minutes in your home oven (set oven to 250F for 15 minutes first to let it stabilize) followed by prying gently to get them apart. You usually need to add sealant when putting them back together, then give them another ~5 minute bake to flow the sealant. I've done it on Subaru and Infiniti lamps.
#20
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
On the back of your headlight is a cover that has to be open. On the LCI you simply turn to remove the cover. Inside is the bulb. You should see the wires from here. Further inside the housing which you can't see unless you open the housing somehow will most likely be more unprotected wires.