Rear LED indicator failure

[MarkW]

I somehow managed to post this into the wrong forum, but would appreciate any further comments:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77716

The rear LH LED indicator on my wife's 2012 Z4 has failed due to what looks like water ingress. I thought this was a known issue on earlier cars, as a friend had both of his rear light clusters replaced under warranty on his 2010 Z4, but ours has never been recalled/replaced since it was new in April 2012.

Typically and annoyingly, the car is a month outside warranty, so my questions are:

Is this a dealer only replacement job, or are there any DIY options?

Does the whole light cluster need replacing, or just the LED indicator strip?

Are we likely to get anywhere with BMW in terms of contribution as the car is just outside of warranty?

Any idea of cost?

We did get a letter about extended warranty, but haven't acted on it as we have just been busy and also were considering changing the car soon anyway.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I assume the indicator is LED so replacement only. Did you buy the car new? You might get something out of BMW on goodwill but I'd be pursuing the dealer under the Sale of Goods Act - in relation to the purchase price of the vehicle itself and also he cost of replacement lamps. If you can find other similar cases (are the older ones the same design?) then that can only help your case.

 

[Zed Five]

I assume the indicator is LED so replacement only. Did you buy the car new? You might get something out of BMW on goodwill but I'd be pursuing the dealer under the Sale of Goods Act - in relation to the purchase price of the vehicle itself and also he cost of replacement lamps. If you can find other similar cases (are the older ones the same design?) then that can only help your case.

Really? 3 years old and out of warranty. Plus, did not take the offer of extended. Sale of goods is not on your side. Ask bmw for a discount on the part and fit it yourself. I think its tye best you will get I'm afraid.

 

[flybobbie]

Go through this forum and print off as much info. from other owners and show BMW.
Then try get a good will replacement. This is a design flaw.
If that fails remove the unit and try drying out before totally rejecting it.
The indicator strip is sealed in.

I've got the removal of these lights down to about 3 minutes now, so not a big job, once done a few times.
To cure the leak you will have to remove the clip on rear housing and dry out the foam seal underneath.
Then I reassembled with liberal amounts of Bostick spray glue.

I have no leaks since I did this.

 

[Angie4m]

Hmmm considering he lights were changed 2011/2012 for the new design I would presume that these are the new upgraded parts which 'shouldn't' fail. If it was me I would be having a nice word with the local Warranty bloke at your local dealership and they might be very willing to help get some goodwill and even have them replaced for free.

 

[MarkW]

Yes, we have had the car from new and would be taking it back to the same dealer.

flybobbie - from what you are saying they are fairly easy to remove and refit. I have seen complete units on eBay for just over £100 so a job I could do myself?

Are there any online instructions as to how to replace, just had a quick google and couldn't see anything.

 

[flybobbie]

Just uploaded this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHJa6z6e-a0

And in How To;
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=77775&p=1145318#p1145318

Hope this helps, not a big job.

 

[USZ4]

Light removal video is funny. Guy should get a $5 clip remover tool instead of using his mom's butter knife as a tool.

 

[flybobbie]

Hey knife free, tool $5!

Got to save the pennies

 

[USZ4]

Agree. Thanks for posting the video.

 

[strugglinauthor]

As flybobbie has indicated, this is a design flaw and unless there has been a definite modification I'm not convinced the issue has ever been resolved. I've had both rear lights replaced due to water ingress and then, earlier this year, one those replacements replaced again. I too was just outside of my warranty and I had to be tenacious with BMW Customer Services as, initially, they would only pay a small goodwill gesture. After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing they agreed to foot the whole bill. Bottom line is they're not obliged to pay for anything although a polite but firm letter or two can only help.

Incidentally, I do have a BMW extended warranty and the dealer told me it wouldn't cover water ingress. I then contacted the BMW warranty sales team who told me it did! All terribly confusing...