Water in license plate lights

mr_robot · #1 11-25-2018, 08:10 PM

I keep getting water/condesation inside the license plate lights so I thought I order new ones but seems like the new ones don't come with a new gasket?

Can't find gasket either on realoem. Any help?

Part in question (p/n 51137062293):
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...s/51137062293/

#32 in diagram:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=41_1291

Wanna take care of this before it does any real damage to the light source.

wpoll · #2 11-25-2018, 08:31 PM

Looks like the gaskets are part of the whole handle - not available separately.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/51137170674/

Not a common failure from what I read...

Overboost · #3 11-25-2018, 08:33 PM

I upgraded mine to LED from Bimmian. Cost a little more but a dramatic improvement. They come with a new seal attached.

Overboost · #4 11-25-2018, 08:37 PM

After reading wpoll's reply, the handle seal may indeed be responsible for the water in the license plate lights. This happened to me on my e46 and a new handle seal took care of it. I was able to order it from the dealer for my e46, not sure on the e53.

mr_robot · #5 11-25-2018, 08:51 PM

So you are saying water is coming from the top?

It would be cheaper to get the ebay LED full replacements as to new OE but I don't like my lights to be SUPER bright.

Overboost · #6 11-25-2018, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_robot

So you are saying water is coming from the top?

It would be cheaper to get the ebay LED full replacements as to new OE but I don't like my lights to be SUPER bright.

It definitely was coming from the top on my e46. LED bulbs are bright so if you don't want that, just get the factory incandescent replacements housings. They are only a few bucks so try them first and see if you still have condensation issues. I kept putting it off and replacing the LED housings on my e46 until I finally fixed it right with the new handle gasket.

wpoll · #7 11-25-2018, 08:59 PM

As Overboost has stated, maybe just the upper gasket will sort this....

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/51137062294/

mr_robot · #8 11-25-2018, 09:05 PM

Damn it, so that what those were! The car came with like two of them inside the cargo area had no idea what they were and I threw them away!!! LOL live and learn =/

wpoll · #9 11-25-2018, 09:09 PM

Bugger...

Although they may have been the trunk (boot) anchors (band clamps)...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...k/51478136450/

I have two of these on my trunk (boot) floor.

mr_robot · #10 11-25-2018, 09:11 PM

No, my car has the pull out floor so it wasn't those for sure, plus it didn't have the ball ends so yeah...