Wow that impressive it still works after a cleanupyg54sg wrote:Good news , managed to fix it, opened up the ballast with the 4 screws and found water residue all over the circuit board sprayed switch cleaner over it all then a light scrubbing with old tooth brush, put silicone grease around all the seals then put it back together. It now works again! I have also sealed the rearbdoor with silicone sealer , fingers crossed his is the end of the troubles now. Also removed all the silica gel bags
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Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
- aquazi
- Lifer
- Posts: 8167
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Derby + N. London
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
- yg54sg
- Member
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- Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:58 pm
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
Yeah I was quite suprised after opening it up , the board has chips on there so plenty to go wrong , I think I caught it just in time as I noticed when the light initially went off and made sure not to use low beam again.... as its water and it being switched causing shorts that does the damage . if it survives that corrosion sets causing more issues. the design of the plug is bad and any water will collect directly onto the circuit board. Those rear light doors being sealed completely really are important!
54 3.0i SE, Sterling Grey, 6sp Manual, Dream Red Heated M Sports Seats, Pro Navigation, Carver DSP Sound, Xenon,
Mods: facelift rear bumper + lights LCM reprogram, LED DRL rings, Clear hockey sticks, clear side repeaters, powerflex bushes
Mods: facelift rear bumper + lights LCM reprogram, LED DRL rings, Clear hockey sticks, clear side repeaters, powerflex bushes
- peddy
- Lifer
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- Location: London
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
you sealed the rear access panel? So what do you plan on doing when you want to change a bulb?
- yg54sg
- Member
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Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
the silicone sealer is the rubberised type used in bathrooms, i pulled it off again yesterday (as I had sealed it 4-5 days before the ballast fix to stop the leak) surprisingly there is no mess at all it just peels off the bmw rubber seal then you just re apply so will be using this for the future. You just have to prise the door open with a screwdriver as it glues it only a little. Also since owning the z over 8 years, 2 months ago was the first time I have ever taken off the access panels the bulbs seem to do quite well and I do a lot of night time driving so the extra messing is worth it if it gets rid of the water/condensation. Prior to removing the rear doors though I had never ever seen any condensation form in the lights unlike my E36.. not even a slight misting so if anyone has any then a seal must be bad from someone opening the doors to change a bulb.
54 3.0i SE, Sterling Grey, 6sp Manual, Dream Red Heated M Sports Seats, Pro Navigation, Carver DSP Sound, Xenon,
Mods: facelift rear bumper + lights LCM reprogram, LED DRL rings, Clear hockey sticks, clear side repeaters, powerflex bushes
Mods: facelift rear bumper + lights LCM reprogram, LED DRL rings, Clear hockey sticks, clear side repeaters, powerflex bushes
- aquazi
- Lifer
- Posts: 8167
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Derby + N. London
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
My xenons steam up like a bathroom, they have since i got it... Took it to the dealer under the manufacter's warranty and they said it was normal
I may have to whip open my rear access pannel when i swap my winter wheels to check them.
I may have to whip open my rear access pannel when i swap my winter wheels to check them.
- Pants
- Member
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 10:37 pm
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
Bit late in the day but I had xenons and replaced them with the aftermarket Ebay jobies
I think someone else on here did also
I think someone else on here did also
Z4 - 3.0i - Black with Red - Need to get.... stubby.... de-gingered ..... more money for fuel
- yg54sg
- Member
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Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
No way is it normal, at least not for a never opened set of headlights from the factory. Open up the rear door, get a hairdryer blowing into the back until you can see no more condensation then keep blowing air in for another 30 minutes after that just to make sure. If there is water collected at the bottom of the headlight which you can see move by shaking the car then you need a piece of sponge on a coat hanger but this is a serious leak you likely just have a few drops getting in... Get some bathroom non setting silicone sealer which is used for sinks and baths and place a good amount of it on top of the rubber, carefully put the door back and the problem should go away.. as others have said the leak is 100% rear door issue.by aquazi » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:07 am
My xenons steam up like a bathroom, they have since i got it... Took it to the dealer under the manufacter's warranty and they said it was normal
I may have to whip open my rear access pannel when i swap my winter wheels to check them.
54 3.0i SE, Sterling Grey, 6sp Manual, Dream Red Heated M Sports Seats, Pro Navigation, Carver DSP Sound, Xenon,
Mods: facelift rear bumper + lights LCM reprogram, LED DRL rings, Clear hockey sticks, clear side repeaters, powerflex bushes
Mods: facelift rear bumper + lights LCM reprogram, LED DRL rings, Clear hockey sticks, clear side repeaters, powerflex bushes
- ranski
- Lifer
- Posts: 6325
- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 2:20 pm
- Location: Sutton Coldfield
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
yg54sg wrote:No way is it normal, at least not for a never opened set of headlights from the factory. Open up the rear door, get a hairdryer blowing into the back until you can see no more condensation then keep blowing air in for another 30 minutes after that just to make sure. If there is water collected at the bottom of the headlight which you can see move by shaking the car then you need a piece of sponge on a coat hanger but this is a serious leak you likely just have a few drops getting in... Get some bathroom non setting silicone sealer which is used for sinks and baths and place a good amount of it on top of the rubber, carefully put the door back and the problem should go away.. as others have said the leak is 100% rear door issue.by aquazi » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:07 am
My xenons steam up like a bathroom, they have since i got it... Took it to the dealer under the manufacter's warranty and they said it was normal
I may have to whip open my rear access pannel when i swap my winter wheels to check them.
I've had the same issue in one of my headlights - tried swapping the rubber around, bought new backing plate, all of which didn't stop the damp getting in
last week I did the same as yg54sg and sealed them up with bathroom flexible sealant - no condensation since and future bulb changes just mean a bit more force to prise the backing plate off
Z4 3.0 / Mods done... too many to mention
- aquazi
- Lifer
- Posts: 8167
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Derby + N. London
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
Thats the thing, the condensation is only in cold weather and when the lights are on.yg54sg wrote:No way is it normal, at least not for a never opened set of headlights from the factory. Open up the rear door, get a hairdryer blowing into the back until you can see no more condensation then keep blowing air in for another 30 minutes after that just to make sure. If there is water collected at the bottom of the headlight which you can see move by shaking the car then you need a piece of sponge on a coat hanger but this is a serious leak you likely just have a few drops getting in... Get some bathroom non setting silicone sealer which is used for sinks and baths and place a good amount of it on top of the rubber, carefully put the door back and the problem should go away.. as others have said the leak is 100% rear door issue.by aquazi » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:07 am
My xenons steam up like a bathroom, they have since i got it... Took it to the dealer under the manufacter's warranty and they said it was normal
I may have to whip open my rear access pannel when i swap my winter wheels to check them.
They disaapear on their own after a while.
Maybe i need to inspect them.
- jan_tekin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:54 pm
- Location: Kent
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
Think I might have to try this as my passenger side light is playing up. I know it works so I can rule out the bulb, it just dosent always start up. I usually have to flick the light switch on and off to get it to start up. Would this be the ballast or could this be the ignitor which is below
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111012209109? ... 1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111012209109? ... 1423.l2649
Current: M135i
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s
-
- Member
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- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:44 am
- Location: Southend, Essex
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
That's the ignition.jan_tekin wrote:Think I might have to try this as my passenger side light is playing up. I know it works so I can rule out the bulb, it just dosent always start up. I usually have to flick the light switch on and off to get it to start up. Would this be the ballast or could this be the ignitor which is below
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111012209109? ... 1423.l2649
This is the ballast:
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2008 ///M Roadster
- jan_tekin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:54 pm
- Location: Kent
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
Thanks
Took everything apart today, opened up the ballast which looked clean and dry so i swapped them over so i will see if the problem switch sides.
Took everything apart today, opened up the ballast which looked clean and dry so i swapped them over so i will see if the problem switch sides.
Current: M135i
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s
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- Newbie
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- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:39 pm
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
I was wondering how many of you have been able to recover the ballast?
-
- Member
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- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:44 am
- Location: Southend, Essex
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
I didn't try. Just swapped it out for a new one. Too much effort taking the bumper off againCJW2OO4 wrote:I was wondering how many of you have been able to recover the ballast?
2008 ///M Roadster
- jan_tekin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1621
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:54 pm
- Location: Kent
Re: Headlight bulb failure / Ballast Failure
I removed and opened it up, warmed it it with a hair dryer and put it all back together. Same with the lights, flipped the seals and its been fine now, Fingers crossed.CJW2OO4 wrote:I was wondering how many of you have been able to recover the ballast?
Current: M135i
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s