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

e30mpower · #1 08-14-2012, 11:52 PM

Hey all,

I recently (about three weeks ago) installed some DEPO LED angel eyes + xenon upgrade in my 03 X5 and after I got a few kinks worked out with the AE wiring, things have been peachy.

Then today I ran it through the car wash, getting it ready for its service appointment tomorrow, and I come out and my passenger side headlight is absolutely wrecked on the inside with condensation. Any idea why this is? Drivers side is fine. Should I pursue a warranty claim (if there even is one, I didn't check), or is there a simple fix, maybe a drainage tube or maybe it's not sealed right, etc.?

Any input is welcome, kinda freaking out here. I know there's some high voltage in there and I don't want to short anything out, or worse.

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pnoyako85 · #2 08-15-2012, 12:15 AM

check your seals ....ae wirings....all thats ...id prolly stick a blowdryer till it dries then seal it back all over the headlight..goodluck

e30mpower · #3 08-15-2012, 12:39 AM

Alright, forgive me. Novice here. Never had condensation probs on my factory set (I guess thanks to that new glue BMW switched over to in 03). Take a hair drier to the back of the lights, unplug the high beam and xenon boot?

pnoyako85 · #4 08-15-2012, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e30mpower

Alright, forgive me. Novice here. Never had condensation probs on my factory set (I guess thanks to that new glue BMW switched over to in 03). Take a hair drier to the back of the lights, unplug the high beam and xenon boot?

yes.key is to get that hot air inside those headlights and let it stay there for about 15-20mins....and maybe open the other whole from the high beam so that the air goes in and out the other side.

jlam86 · #5 08-15-2012, 01:30 AM

There is a seal leak somewhere. I had this issue on my vehicle too but BMW warranted it cause it was a lot worse than they had anticipated. They said it's normal for it to condensate in colder weather or after a car wash but once the headlights fire up, it should dry it out.

epdarks · #6 08-15-2012, 08:34 AM

My old M3 depos did that, they told me to go "park it in the sun". I'm not kidding.

pnoyako85 · #7 08-15-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epdarks

My old M3 depos did that, they told me to go "park it in the sun". I'm not kidding.

^^^^^^^that is such bull, i would have thrown those headlight at them....clearly they weren't ready to help or if they were a shop they are good to going around a problem...definitely not going back there again....

...i had this problem on my fog light everytime i get car wash (3-4x) a week it would condensate...finally i took the bulb out,there was some water drops when i tilted it.., put a hair dryer for 30mins...sealed it with silicone...and condensation was gone...

tmv · #8 08-15-2012, 08:52 AM

Quality issue, bad seal. Dry it out with a hair drier as suggest and reseal. It's suck to pay that much a Depo set and have issue like that, when my eBay Spider ones didn't.

Naz24 · #9 08-15-2012, 09:30 AM

I know tons of people who re sealed their DEPOs as soon as they got them to avoid this issue. Dry it, and resell both.... Someone here can recommend the correct product

e30mpower · #10 08-15-2012, 10:53 AM

Dear fishcake321,

Hey man, I've got one headlight that maybe wasn't sealed properly (the other one is absolutely fine). I went through the car wash today and the inside of the light is absolutely wrecked with condensation. I've got a post up on the BMW forums asking if there's a simple fix I can carry out myself, but if there's not, I'm going to need to exchange just that one defective unit (passenger side). Take a look at this pic. https://ppswaa.bay.livefilestore.com...713.JPG?psid=1

And here is what dude man said..... this after a few years of buying stuff from him (fishcake321 on eBay)....

Dear charlestonearle,

Please note that during the first week or two, the condensation built up in the light is possible as the headlight seal is trying to adjust to its new enviroment. And it is not recommended during the first week or two after install to have a car wash.

Here is what to do to clear it out easily. Open up the rubber headlight cover from the back to let the moisture come out, and also it equalize the pressure between the inside and outside of the headlight. If you want to use hair dryer to speed up the process, it actually helps, but make sure you don't get too close to get it too hot to melt anything. Once all the moisture is out. Re-seal the headlight cover tiely and before you close it, you can throw in and secure a few dessicant packs. This will for sure avoid any moisture built-up in the future.

ps. I am also sending you the manufacturer sheet about condensation via email, and why there is such thing and not because it's not sealed properly.

Regards,

Simon

- fishcake321

Here is the pic he sent:

He's about to piss me off and make me call eBay/PayPal and/or American Express and have them charge the guy back. This was supposedly a "limited lifetime warranty"

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