foglight condensation

[ukrcan]

I noticed a lot of condensation in my fog lights the other day (both of them)...Is this a common occurrence? Anything i can do to prevent that going forward?

[Ricky Bobby]

Probably a bad seal at the bulb or in the back.

Have you popped them off to inspect? Shouldn't be a common occurrence, seems to happen when cheaper aftermarket housings are used though.

Time to get yourself some OEM projector fog light housings.

[ukrcan]

i guess i will be cracking them open next weekend...the ones that i have are OEM so i am surprised that both lights at the same time got water in side them....

What are these OEM project fog lights that you speak off?

[Ricky Bobby]

E53's from 00-02 had a projector fog light housing which takes an H3 bulb, made by Valeo. You can retrofit them as they bolt right up, there is a thread in the how to's and quick links by "tmv" as he posted last year about this. I had the H11 housings too but ditched them for Valeo projector housings and retrofitted an HID kit to them.

[beamertruck]

As a temporary fix, clean out the inside and use gorilla tape or 3M aluminum tape (lowes has it) to create a seal until you get the new bulbs or projectors. If you need to clean them let me know and I can set you up with Mothers restoration kit.

[ukrcan]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

E53's from 00-02 had a projector fog light housing which takes an H3 bulb, made by Valeo. You can retrofit them as they bolt right up, there is a thread in the how to's and quick links by "tmv" as he posted last year about this. I had the H11 housings too but ditched them for Valeo projector housings and retrofitted an HID kit to them.

That what i thought... yes, i remember reading about this in a couple of threads...
will do some digging around!
Thank you

Originally Posted by beamertruck

As a temporary fix, clean out the inside and use gorilla tape or 3M aluminum tape (lowes has it) to create a seal until you get the new bulbs or projectors. If you need to clean them let me know and I can set you up with Mothers restoration kit.

good point about gorilla tape, thnx!

[beamertruck]

Always happy to help! though the 3M aluminum tape will hold much better, heck could work as a permanent fix if your fine just leaving it as is.

[Clockwork]

ukrcan, I just upgraded to OE projector fogs from the factory reflector fog housing I had, and I'd NEVER EVER go back. its a NIGHT AND DAY difference from looks and output.
I created (and documented here http://www.xoutpost.com/948400-post56.html ) how to make a proper wire harness conversion so NO cutting/splicing needs to be done and therefore 100% reversible.
I even have a lot of new bmw spare wires I could sell you CHEAP compared to the stealerships here. (I bought in bulk from BMW in the US last year, since it was cheaper that way)

RB has a set of pigtails you may want, if you DO go the projector fog route.
http://www.xoutpost.com/948405-post57.html MUCH worth the cost.

[ukrcan]

Clockwork, I gotta come by and check them out one day. are you just running halogen bulbs or did you go with HID kit?

[Ricky Bobby]

I have the connectors for the Valeo housings (the bmw connector) with pins/wires already in them, you would just have to solder on the H11 connection from your car.

Let me know I can throw them in an envelope for a couple bucks to cover them up the border to you,