One of my headlights is crying :(

[Anonymous]

The condensation in one of my lights is so bad, that you cant see through it to the bulb.

How would you go about looking for the elusive hole?

Front bumper off? Light out? (they're retrofit xenons, fitted before I bought the car )

Is there something towards the back that could have come off?

Take it to a dealer and ask for their opinion?

Any help appreciated as always guys/gals!!

 

[srhutch]

The access flap is through the wheel arch, behind that is the cover which may not be on correctly which could be the problem.

How long have you had the car, and have you noticed any pattern as to when it happens?

 

[Anonymous]

The access flap is through the wheel arch, behind that is the cover which may not be on correctly which could be the problem.

How long have you had the car, and have you noticed any pattern as to when it happens?

Had it for 3 weeks. It happened the first time after a really cold morning. Then tops up if you like, when its another cold morning.

Can I get to the access flap from under the wheel arch? Or do I have to remove something first?

Cheers

 

[srhutch]

Just turn the wheel so the front of the wheel point inwards then you can access the flap twist retainer with coin or similar and it will open and spring clip holds back of light on.

Mine was like this below, but I had only had the car two months and was new when collected so dealer replaced, but unless yours was an BMW AUC you may struggle to get it repalaced.

 

[Anonymous]

Just turn the wheel so the front of the wheel point inwards then you can access the flap twist retainer with coin or similar and it will open and spring clip holds back of light on.

Mine was like this below, but I had only had the car two months and was new when collected so dealer replaced, but unless yours was an BMW AUC you may struggle to get it repalaced.

Thanks. That's pretty much what my headlight looks like.

I dont think it was done by BMW. So there's no chance of a replacement.

I'll go outside and have a look, and pray that the back has come off

 

[Anonymous]

I took the back off but didn't really see anything loose or missing.

Not really sure what to do.

Would anyone take it to a dealer for a quote? Or would you take the bumper off for a better look??

:-(

 

[MarkC]

I took the back off but didn't really see anything loose or missing.

Not really sure what to do.

Would anyone take it to a dealer for a quote? Or would you take the bumper off for a better look??

:-(

Look at the rubber gasket in the headlight backing cover for damage. If no damage and the crease (where the headlight shell rest against the gasket material in the headlight back cover) is uniform and near the middle of the gasket (which means that it was sealed properly), then make sure that the cover was properly clipped tightly into place (two spots were the wires snaps into spots to hold the cover in place).

If all looks fine with no indication of a misaligned rear cover, then I'd remove the headlight to carefully inspect for any damages such as cracks or holes. If no damage is found then perhaps water is getting in between where the clear lens meets the black body. Then I'd put a bead of silicon around the edge of the headlight where the clear meets the black, dry out the headlight with a hair dryer and make sure the back cover is fitted properly and install to see if it happened again.

Normally one would expect a misaligned rear cover would be the main cause of water getting into the headlight.

You mentioned that your Zed was converted to Xenons, perhaps someone drilled some holes for wires or to mount the Xenon power converter? Just throwing out some possibilities without seeing it.

Almost forgot, there are two rubber U shaped hoses (at least on pre-facelift halogens) that allows venting, they should be in place.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mark.

I'll take another look tomorrow with the info you've supplied and update this thread.

Appreciated!!

 

[gannet]

What MarkC said

mine had a badly fitted rear cover and the rubber gasket was all damaged at one end. took some drying out though

 

[cj10jeeper]

My only comment having built and retro assembled several sets of lights is that there is zero chance of the seal between the black housing and lens leaking, due to the way it is manufactured. Rear door access panle is the real number one spot to check

Retrofit xenon - as Mark said I'd really be looking for any new holes to add wires !!!

Finally don't take the lights out without clearly marking the location or you'll spoend a few hours trying to realign them to the bumper cover profile and need the beams readjusting.

 

[g14ash]

I had this in one of my lights when I first fitted my aftermarket HIDs.

What you need to do:

Turn the wheel inwards and Jack the car up 3-4 inches

Open the hatch and take out plastic cover (if there is not enough slack on the HID Bulb wire remove the bulb carefully)

Remove the rubber seal from the plastic cover and clean rubber seal with warm soapy water.

Put a bead of silicone in the recess where the rubber seal should be in the plastic cover then gently press the rubber seal back into place so that it now sticks to its silicon base.(this pushed the rubber seal out slightly to create a better seal then cover is put back on)

Ensure the rubber Grommet that feeds the HID kit is a nice tight seal, if not this can be siliconed up very last thing.

To Dry the light:

Get a small funnel and 2ft of hosepipe and attach the funnel to the pipe

Remove the main beam bulb

stick the hosepipe through the hole where the main beam bulb goes

With a hairdryer blow warm/hot air into the funnel which will circulate warm air around the light.(make sure you dont push the hosepipe so far in that it touches the glass because it can smear the water causing a stain)

It should take half an hour or so to clear the whole thing ocasionally using the hairdryer to heat up the glass from the outside.

The trouble is that when you drive when it is raining, the rain drives into the gap between the bonet and the wing and then drives itself across the top of the light untill it hits the rubber seal. Unless the seal is firmly pressing on the light it will let water in. I followed the above and the problem has'nt returned, it also hasn't left any staining on the inside of the glass which I was concerned about.


Apologies for the long post I just know how gutting it is when you see it.

If you are anywhere near Kent/SE London I will glady help as Ive got the all the necessary stuff.

 

[g14ash]

PS: Sorry for the stupid colours