Headlights being diffused (reflected back in)

Z

zeddy

Member
I have the standard headlights and have noticed that the beam seems to be reflecting back inside the headlight (plastic) covers. Almost like its all misted up inside the headlight covers.

Is this a known problem?

Don't fancy having to unclip the headlight covers to clean them out. Never had this problem on any other cars before.
 
Does it look like condensation in the light?

It's not possible to remove the cover to clean out as you put it, CJ10Jeeper will confirm but unlike other BMW's the lens and back are permenantly connected.
 
I'm sure SR is spot on and it's condensation on the inside of the lens. It's a fairly common problem on these lights, often caused bu not fitting the rear inspection cover correctly after a bulb change. Usually appears after driving in heavy rain, cold weahter or prolonged parking without use (such as outside airport parking).

Post a few photos and I'll take a look, but in the meantime undo the access hatch under the wheel arch, unclip the cover and either leave it pointed into the sun else use a hairdryer to blow some warm air inside. Connect the cover carefully and you'll be done.

If new and under warranty it would of course be covered and if sever replaced.
 
Give the rubber on the rear light cover seal a good clean and feed with rubber cleaning stuff (I just used autoglym stuff)

Give it a good clean out, and use a hair dryer on a dry day... I think I let water into mine by swapping a bulb when it was raining. Not bad in itself as rain didn't go in there, but it will have let a fair amount of high humidity air into the light which then condenses against the lamp when it's colder outside.
Also suspect I didn't get the seal sealed very well after washing it seemed worse, and removed and refitted the back again, on a rainy day.


I used a hair dryer on cooler cold but dry days (in winter), over about three evenings for 5 mins a time, just until the condensation had all gone (more is hiding in the base that hasn't condensed)


Thats all if it is condensation inside the lamp. An easy enough fix, and gives you a chance to clean the covers/access points for in the future :)

Dave
 
I had condensation recently... I checked out the seal on the rear cover and saw it had been mis-fitted for quite some time. Bought a new back cover and seal (£9). The parts guy suggested going for a long run with the cover OFF and the lights ON to draw the water out. Advised NOT to leave the engine running and the lights on while stationary as you will just melt the lights. Went for a 250 mile drive with the lights on and cover off and got most of the water out and I could see some water still there in the lights... managed to get that out with a tissue and refit the new cover. Fingers crossed I have been mist free for a while now :D

A tip for better access to the rear cover would be to turn the steering on full lock - but not the way I first did it - I thought left hand side turn full lock to the left, but left hand side turn full lock to right works better :oops:
 
I've got a similar problem on my xenon's. Plan to remove the access cover and give it full hair dryer treatment. Only thing is, I don't have a hairdrywer (Shaved head !) Perhaps the girlfriend can assist... :oops:

Presume I can fully access cover w/out need for removing wheel?
 
PatDanz said:
I've got a similar problem on my xenon's. Plan to remove the access cover and give it full hair dryer treatment. Only thing is, I don't have a hairdrywer (Shaved head !) Perhaps the girlfriend can assist... :oops:

Presume I can fully access cover w/out need for removing wheel?
Click to expand...

I used my wife's hair dryer initially but didn't get it all out or the seal was still broke :(

you certainly can get to the cover without removing the wheel :thumbsup: If doing the Off side turn the wheels to the left, Near side Turn to the right to give yourself more room :D
 
After having the case rejected, I had a whinge to BMW Australia, as its pretty poor for a $100k car to have headlights like that when I've had way cheaper cars with no problems at all.

So anyway, they went back and looked into it again. Got a call today saying that they are going to replace the headlights.
 
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