damned hradlights

[drainbamaged]

I have a question people. why is it that condensation only affects the drivers side headlight??

I have changed my headlight for a third time and cleaned it out, sorted the bulb connections,

cleared the ventilator ports, even sealed the back cover on, oh forgot to mention

sealant all around the joint between the lens and backing was done. went out today!

condensation but not in the passenger light. solution? keep the passenger headlight and change the damn car!!!

 

[kis]

From my experience the headlights are easy to damage. The black shell can crack. Have you checked the unit over to ensure it’s all intact?

Also, I’d recommend removing the unit and drying inside thoroughly before “sealing” otherwise you’re creating a mini terrarium with the headlight.

The headlights are good. You just need to ensure all checked and new rear covers, etc. mine are going strong at 20 years old. Aftermarket wouldn’t last nearly as long IMO.

Kis.

 

[paddy wright]

Unless there’s a crack in the housing I would suggest you need a new seal and to bring the headlight into the house for a day or two to completely dry out if you can- it’s amazing how a tiny remaining bit of water somewhere in the unit will cause a lot of condensation.

 

[drainbamaged]

thanks for that Kis and Paddy. will do that and get it sorted, I must admit this car is exceptionally

challenging so far have replaced compression tank rocker gasket, both headlights, 2 hoses,

had 2 punctures (one leaking valve) on run flats and now battling with airbag light,

cornered down to passenger mat which I will be doing this weekend. must admit i

love working an my cars. will return when I have tamed this one lol.

Oh and just as an afterthought, at 73 I have worked on many vehicles and to put it bluntly

I have bugger all else to do. going to be a good weekend so will get cracking. input helps

so thank you hard working personages

 

[drainbamaged]

personages. I have made a vital error and need help

Has anyone got the loom to the right side headlight just the plug on the end that goes into the back of the headlight?

I made the stupid mistake of using non silica water absorbing crystals to keep condensation at bay, damn stupid I know

so if anyone has got the plug please let me know .. URGENT. no online help for a new one online unless i am looking

in the wrong place.

Mick

 

[paddy wright]

Is this the plug you mean?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314003406172?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zvzrr-pirwu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7DC-EautSyW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[drainbamaged]

sorry paddy no, I got a 2004 z4 and the plug is quite wide with 7 pins, and a slider mechanism to anchor it ,the headlight fixture is as the photo

 

[drainbamaged]

hope you can open this. anyone got this plug?

 

[drainbamaged]

Me again, asking if anyone can help me with this connector, obviously
not for free but with a bit of wire attached so I can match the colours from
the loom, give me a price please
p.s. it's the drivers side plug by the way

 

[chemical.equal277]

Hi matey. Got that. I’ll dig it out and grab you a snap.

 

[drainbamaged]

thank you chem. I hope it's the one, will add you to my christmas list.

 

[DarkApollo]

I can chime in.
I have been looking for that exact plug for a few days and the only way I have found is by digging through EBay for E60 2006-2009 pre-facelift wiring harnesses.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/354072449471?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOooUCWZ5l3VzPdMZZVMIRbuEs-krMsZdlWMTaDBofvfbnBLzKqk84rY

 

[drainbamaged]

so many thanks Dark but its the nearside (usa left hand drive) for sale and I need the (uk right hand drive) offside
I am however going to contact the seller and hope he has the offside. can't take the chance of them being different wiring

 

[chemical.equal277]

Snaps attached. O/S and N/S are interchangeable. This is 7 pin —> Halogen model. PM me if interested

 

[Cannon1891]

Hi Dbamaged,

I recently stripped my headlights and fitted halo led's, resealed and I too have condensation issues with the drivers only. I'm aware the access door seals can cause issues, but reassembled mine with non-setting silicon. I am at a bit of a loss as to why only condensation on the drivers side. The headlight has 3 vents on the rear so should dry out with the heat from the engine. I also added LED mainbeam bulbs which have a small built in fan which I thought may help with air circulation. not the case at the moment.

Have you managed to find the headlight plug your after. I was speaking to a guy last week on facebook Z4 group, he's breaking a 2004 Z4 in Chester. If you've had no joy, I'll try and dig his details out.

 

[drainbamaged]

Hi cannon, well I have got the plug and chemical says they are interchangeable so i need a good day to exchange
it for the one I have had to "jerry rig" so i have indicators.
i have scrutinised the replacement headlight with an intense scrute and sealed any and all suspiciousness.

in all the years i have worked on cars this is the ONLY car that I have experienced condensation in the
bloody headlights. but keep the guy in chester in mind please.

 

[chemical.equal277]

Did u fix m8?

 

[Gee-Lanty]

My old headlights also had a lot of condensation rendering them practically useless and I remember reading advice on here to remove the housing covers gasket and reinstall it on the reverse (upside down) which definitely worked for me.

 

[drainbamaged]

well got another spare for the drivers side and I have sealed around the lens housing and coated the backplate with vaseline before putting it back in place and using a powerful hoover on all the vents hopefully clearing any debris and before I install it in the car I have left it outside in this heavy rain and wind, so far no leakage or condensation fingers crossed