Headlight Condensation + Upgrade - pointer appreciated

[GarethA]

Hi Folks

I know the headlight condensation issue has often been discussed on this forum and from what I read I am about to purchase a new back cover and some silica gel pads and see how I get on with this persistent problem on (just) my driver's side. I am rather suspicious of the headlamp washers being the culprit but cannot locate any front surface cracks though something could be lurking in the gap between light and bumper I suppose. Anyhow shall try new back cover first.

If I have missed any other conclusions on this area pointer appreciated.

Also fairly well documented seems to be the poor quality of the (dipped) lighting. It's the 'M' so having no other driving lights they're quite impo! I've already cranked the beam angle up which helped but still underwhelming. Would appreciate pointer for any obvious bulb upgrades at this time (xenon unit)

For the future interest is anyone very happy with an aftermarket replacement /upgrade - is LED an option?!

Thanks in advance

 

[Dogmatic6]

It's almost certainly your back cover not making a proper seal. I've had 2 failed xenon ballasts because of this and both times it's been on my drivers side the 2nd was with a new back cover.

I'm really careful now when I close that cover. I make sure it's properly fitted with a good seal.

I'm surprised your ballast hasn't died yet as it will be slowly filling with water which eventually submerges the circuit board.

I wouldn't use the silica gels personally.

 

[ianwill90]

I have had a similar problem recently after trapping one of the wires between the cover and seal mentioned above after a n/s sidelight failed. The solution was to replace the rear cover which I got from the stealer with a new seal all for £13.70. Problem is now solved.

 

[GarethA]

Thanks folks - that's encouraging and hopefully the ballast can survive if I get the thing sealed properly.

Cheers

 

[ranski]

just don't install the new back cover on a damp humid day

 

[markeg]

Thanks folks - that's encouraging and hopefully the ballast can survive if I get the thing sealed properly.

Cheers

if the ballast is still working, remove it and open it to drain any water - otherwise it may fail later.

 

[GarethA]

Thanks Markeg -

Removed outer skin and have in sealed bag with dessicant. Too scared to break apart any further!

Old back cover and letting everything air - very hard to take off and no wires trapped so still a little hard to see how so much water could be getting in but useless speculating until test new cover.

Cheers

 

[Dogmatic6]

Thanks Markeg -

Removed outer skin and have in sealed bag with dessicant. Too scared to break apart any further!

Old back cover and letting everything air - very hard to take off and no wires trapped so still a little hard to see how so much water could be getting in but useless speculating until test new cover.

Cheers

You would need to remove the front bumper and headlight to get the ballast out as its attached to the bottom of the headlight :headbang:

Make sure you clean the back rim of the headlight were the back cover makes its seal.

The headlights have small vents so moisture inside should disappear completely but might take a little while.

 

[GarethA]

Oh?! isn't it the unit on the back of the headlight bulb, the one that i've had a hernia trying to put back on properly and ultimately failed. Not feeling like a car diy god at the moment.

 

[Dogmatic6]

Oh?! isn't it the unit on the back of the headlight bulb, the one that i've had a hernia trying to put back on properly and ultimately failed. Not feeling like a car diy god at the moment.

Thats the Igniter and not the ballast.

I bet I know what your doing wrong! are you trying to put it back on with the cable attached? if so it wont work.

Detatch the cable, twist the igniter back on then plug the cable in.

It should be easy to do without the cable attached.

Ive been in the same position so dont worry :driving:

 

[GarethA]

That right there Dogmatic shows who's the professional here

Good guess re the cable to the IGNITER (!) but I had already tried detaching to no avail. Bugger won't rotate back into place. Have fiddled and fiddled, channelled any positive energy I could find...even rang Noel Edmonds to see if I could get some cosmic ordering loving but no joy. Reckon there's just a whisker of misalignment between the back of the igniter and the back of the bulb area that has crept in and without taking the whole headlamp unit you can't line them up properly.

Well, with the cable re-attatched and the retaining clip in place it doesn't feel like it's going to move and the headlight is working ok. Spent much longer than I was expecting with my head up a wheel arch today.

I'll seek some advice on a possible bumper removal another time...have a trip coming up shortly and don't want to risk it.

Thanks guys. I think the take away so far from my sample experience of one was don't bother removing the igniter.

:rofl:

 

[ScoobyR1]

Hi Guys,

When I had this problem I dried out the light unit by removing the rear cover and drying out all the condensation with a hair dryer.I then cleaned the rear cover gasket and gave it a coating with electrical compound grease( Silicon grease) refitting carefully so as not to get any dirt on the mating faces, I've had no issues with this since and I've been in some pretty heavy rain ( I do live in Scotland )
Ciao