HID ballast failure-water

[flybobbie]

So if like me you modded the headlamp, (wanted new glass as original scratched and grazed) and the seal fails (silicone won't do the job and the original sealant would be right b...r to get out, tried heating, the plastic starts to buckle, gave up that idea), any water that enters goes straight to the bottom of lamp housing, through the connecting socket and into the ballast unit.
Good design put ballast unit at the bottom, with no seals.

I had small amount of condensation initially and the headlamp failed, tried replacing the bulb, no joy.
Now removed ballast and opened up, all wet, some corrosion and white stuff inside.
Just drying out having used contact cleaner, hope it resuscitates it.

Quite surprised how much electronics inside.

 

[Smartbear]

At this rate your z4’s going to be renamed triggers broom!
Rob

 

[flybobbie]

On reassembly think i will stick a large gob of Vaseline in the socket and seal the ballast with the same gutter sealant i used on lamp housing.
Finish of wrapping aluminium sticky backed foil.

If that fails i will visit the BMW breaker up the road next week, see if they have ballast.

 

[Chris_D]

Good luck with that idea!
if it's failed electrically, due to a short etc then you will have more chance of seeing Oscar Pistorious catching athletes foot than rescusitating it!
Best is just to bite the bullet and replace it, making sure you prevent condensate forming and dripping on it again.

 

[flybobbie]

Good luck with that idea!
if it's failed electrically, due to a short etc then you will have more chance of seeing Oscar Pistorious catching athletes foot than rescusitating it!
Best is just to bite the bullet and replace it, making sure you prevent condensate forming and dripping on it again.

Well, we shall see.

 

[flybobbie]

Rather than take a risk, ordered a new one.

 

[flybobbie]

Good luck with that idea!
if it's failed electrically, due to a short etc then you will have more chance of seeing Oscar Pistorious catching athletes foot than rescusitating it!
Best is just to bite the bullet and replace it, making sure you prevent condensate forming and dripping on it again.

Well dried out one works.

So will be sending back the new one.

 

[Chris_D]

Good luck with that idea!
if it's failed electrically, due to a short etc then you will have more chance of seeing Oscar Pistorious catching athletes foot than rescusitating it!
Best is just to bite the bullet and replace it, making sure you prevent condensate forming and dripping on it again.

Well dried out one works.

So will be sending back the new one.

Hard to believe.

 

[flybobbie]

Well it's well lacquered, so other than the high voltage jumping something, it survived.