Condensation in new headlights (see pics, it's bad)

[Rado]

Fog, mist, whatever is not OK. I bought the exact same Depo headlights from same seller 1yr ago and never had any fog or misting. Yours are definitely defective. They should take it back and exchange for other pair. I would call the CC company and dispute, especially after I see the pics that there is seal broken...

[e30mpower]

Originally Posted by Rado

Fog, mist, whatever is not OK. I bought the exact same Depo headlights from same seller 1yr ago and never had any fog or misting. Yours are definitely defective. They should take it back and exchange for other pair. I would call the CC company and dispute, especially after I see the pics that there is seal broken...

Thanks man... I appreciate everybody's support on here. This is my first time dealing with a problem seller like this. After 2-3 emails he finally responded and

After reading your reply the other day, I was trying to search all over in California to see if there is anyone with a spare side. So far, no luck, that is why I have no update to you at the moment.

I really can't break a new set to send you one side, because once you used it, it's not new anymore. Then who will want one side new and one side used when we sell it?

That is why I told you from the beginning, send that side back and it will be taken care of it 1 or 2 days after we receive it since we are really close to their California branch.

To which I responded, probably against my better judgement:

Alright, I'm going out on a limb here, and am going to trust you. I can deal without a headlight for about 7-10 days, but I need a replacement or my existing one to be refurbed by then. I'll ship it back to you on Monday, 8/20, but I've got to have a new/refurb by 8/30. That allows plenty of time for shipping on both ends, even though I'll probably send mine out to you Next Day Air Saver. The quicker the better.

As for breaking a set and someone getting one side new and one side "used?" Who gives a shit as long as it looks new? I would've much rather had a set that was properly sealed and used for 2-3 weeks than one that was brand new and hadn't been siliconed up properly. But I understand your point of view as well. So are we in agreement? I'll ship the bad one to you on Monday, August 20 and I'll have a replacement by the following Thursday, August 30? Just let me know where to send it.

That way, we both have a clear understanding of what is expected and eBay/PayPal will know what was guaranteed and by when.

I've tried to find people around here that can reseal them for me, but nobody wants the liability in case they eff it up.

He just now replied with an RMA and guaranteed I'd have it back by 8/30 if I sent it on Monday. Now I just have to put up with either A) reinstalling the stock halogens or B) pushing the "backup" 97 Merc E420. I'll probably go for B. That car used to be fun as hell back when I was in high school.

[rocky1536]

I had the exact same experience from fish cake. $ 600+ aftermarket headlights shouldn't leak and mine did just like yours. I ended up going back and forth with Simon without getting any real constructive help. Would never do business with him again.

[e30mpower]

Originally Posted by rocky1536

I had the exact same experience from fish cake. $ 600+ aftermarket headlights shouldn't leak and mine did just like yours. I ended up going back and forth with Simon without getting any real constructive help. Would never do business with him again.

He finally gave me an RMA and I sent the bad one back today UPS Ground 3-day Select. At $97. He's got another thing coming if he expects me to pay his shipping costs on a new unit.

Will let everyone knows how this turns out, I've got a feeling it's not going to end well.

PS. Made sure to leave the inch of water at the bottom so hopefully someone will get a wet lap.

[pnoyako85]

Originally Posted by e30mpower

He finally gave me an RMA and I sent the bad one back today UPS Ground 3-day Select. At $97. He's got another thing coming if he expects me to pay his shipping costs on a new unit.

Will let everyone knows how this turns out, I've got a feeling it's not going to end well.

PS. Made sure to leave the inch of water at the bottom so hopefully someone will get a wet lap.

: woohoo:

[Franksauto]

This guy was talking about reselling a defective light??? Its junk, why is he worried about having 1 used and one new. He should have just swapped the set for you. I would have filed a dispute through your credit card and sent him the lights back.
Good luck, hope it works out.

[SlickGT1]

I agree, dispute with CC might be a good idea.

[e30mpower]

Alright guys, got them back last Thursday and so far, so good. I actually was somewhat impressed he didn't drag his feet on having them resealed. They arrived in California Thursday 8/23 and he had them resealed and shipped back to me the next day. He used Ground instead of 3-day select though, so that kind of pissed me off. But otherwise no complaints (yet). We're getting some good rain here in the southeast so we'll see if they hold up.

[Franksauto]

Hopefully you are all set. If they leak again I would demanded a refund or new set. As far as I am concerned you received them defective from the very beginning. Good luck. Hope it works out.

[e30mpower]

Now if I could just get to the bottom of my LCM problems:

After HID upgrade, instrument panel is at ~50% brightness and not responding to dimmer wheel. It also periodically flashes "CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS," "CHECK REAR LIGHTS," when headlights are on, though both are fine. Tail lamps are from a facelifted E53 I believe, and have been installed for nearly three years. The only problem I've encountered with them is that the brake light section is lit at full intensity, even when only headlights are on. Rear lamp section operates at full intensity when brakes are applied. Swapping single-filament for dual-filament makes no difference. Not sure if adaptive brake lights work. I've learned to live with it.

HIDs are D2S bulbs attached to ballasts powered by stock H7 connectors.
Coronas are LED, powered by positive battery terminal in engine compartment, triggered by parking light output wire on LCM. I had the same (plus additional) problems when they we were triggered by corner lamps.

If the fix is a new LCM, which one is the appropriate one to solve all the problems? E53 halogen, E53 xenon, E53 LCI halogen, or E53 LCI xenon?

No auto leveling sensors installed, though I do have the motors.

That's also from my list of problems I'm giving to my service guy tomorrow, but it's low priority. I've got to get my oil pressure/leaks taken care of.