Condensation in Passenger Side Headlight

bodega_cat · 09-15-2017, 09:59 PM

So about a month ago I changed out my halo bulbs for some led upgrades. Just today while at the self car wash, I noticed that the passenger side headlight had condensation after I finished with the wash. I honestly couldn't remember if it was there before or not when it rains or whatever, but today I really noticed it.
Would the most obvious culprit be due to messing with the lights when I changed the halo bulbs? Or is this a signifier of another underlying issue?

The passenger side cover was an absolute bitch to get back on but once I got it lined up, I snapped the clips into place and all seemed well. I'd figured since the clips snapped back into place, it was "sealed". Is it possible that isn't not the case?

Thought fellas?

Thanks

bodega_cat · 09-16-2017, 06:37 AM

Started up this morning and got low beam error on the same headlight. Condensation still there a little. Do I need to order bulb replacement or just dry out and reseat the cover?

jkoral · 09-16-2017, 07:04 AM

A couple other threads on this topic:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1074298

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=988568

bodega_cat · 09-16-2017, 07:41 AM

Thank you for that. I apologize for not searching prior. You are appreciated

bodega_cat · 09-16-2017, 02:56 PM

Ok I've read several threads.
So to take care of the condensation I guess I will pull open the back of the headlight and let it air out. Maybe take a heat gun or blow dryer to it. With that, will my low beam start functioning again or should I be ordering new bulbs?

shawnyeeah · 09-21-2017, 11:12 AM

Every case is different, but I doubt you need new bulbs. I had the same issue 3 months ago and during hard rain, my headlight gets moisture/condensation and my HID light doesn't work at night. But when the condensation evaporates, the lights worked again until this week. Looks like I need a new HID ballast and headlight assembly. My issue is likely caused by improper sealing of the back and loss of 1 of the backing clips. Hopefully after I install a new headlight assembly and ballast, my problem will be fixed.

Jorgensen54 · 09-21-2017, 12:35 PM

Silica packets(like you find in new shoe boxes) are good at helping dehumidify small chambers.
Single bulbs not working - continuity may have been lost from the corrosive moisture intruding. A thorough cleaning and dielectric grease on all of your contact points may bring it back to life if the bulb is still good.

tracer bullet · 09-22-2017, 08:46 AM

Careful with the heat, things can get hotter faster than you expect. A dry day with a fan blowing at it for 24 hours should be enough.

bodega_cat · 09-22-2017, 11:16 AM

Thanks again everyone for your responses. As of yesterday morning, this issue magically resolved itself. So I'm assuming that the condensation in the headlight evaporated. All I really did was park in the sun for the last few days to further encourage evaporation. I am gonna go with the idea to stick a couple silica packets in the headlight to help with the issue.

09-15-2017, 09:59 PM	#1
bodega_cat Lieutenant 156 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	Condensation in Passenger Side Headlight So about a month ago I changed out my halo bulbs for some led upgrades. Just today while at the self car wash, I noticed that the passenger side headlight had condensation after I finished with the wash. I honestly couldn't remember if it was there before or not when it rains or whatever, but today I really noticed it. Would the most obvious culprit be due to messing with the lights when I changed the halo bulbs? Or is this a signifier of another underlying issue? The passenger side cover was an absolute bitch to get back on but once I got it lined up, I snapped the clips into place and all seemed well. I'd figured since the clips snapped back into place, it was "sealed". Is it possible that isn't not the case? Thought fellas? Thanks
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09-16-2017, 06:37 AM	#2
bodega_cat Lieutenant 156 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	Started up this morning and got low beam error on the same headlight. Condensation still there a little. Do I need to order bulb replacement or just dry out and reseat the cover?
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09-16-2017, 07:04 AM	#3
jkoral Lieutenant Colonel 1031 Rep 1,972 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (7)	A couple other threads on this topic: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1074298 http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=988568
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09-16-2017, 07:41 AM	#4
bodega_cat Lieutenant 156 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	Thank you for that. I apologize for not searching prior. You are appreciated
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09-16-2017, 02:56 PM	#5
bodega_cat Lieutenant 156 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	Ok I've read several threads. So to take care of the condensation I guess I will pull open the back of the headlight and let it air out. Maybe take a heat gun or blow dryer to it. With that, will my low beam start functioning again or should I be ordering new bulbs?
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09-21-2017, 11:12 AM	#6
shawnyeeah Private First Class 20 Rep 103 Posts Drives: '12 N55 135i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	Every case is different, but I doubt you need new bulbs. I had the same issue 3 months ago and during hard rain, my headlight gets moisture/condensation and my HID light doesn't work at night. But when the condensation evaporates, the lights worked again until this week. Looks like I need a new HID ballast and headlight assembly. My issue is likely caused by improper sealing of the back and loss of 1 of the backing clips. Hopefully after I install a new headlight assembly and ballast, my problem will be fixed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2017, 12:35 PM	#7
Jorgensen54 Lieutenant 104 Rep 486 Posts Drives: 2008 AW/AG 135i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	Silica packets(like you find in new shoe boxes) are good at helping dehumidify small chambers. Single bulbs not working - continuity may have been lost from the corrosive moisture intruding. A thorough cleaning and dielectric grease on all of your contact points may bring it back to life if the bulb is still good. __________________
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09-22-2017, 08:46 AM	#8
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2545 Rep 3,651 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	Careful with the heat, things can get hotter faster than you expect. A dry day with a fan blowing at it for 24 hours should be enough.
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09-22-2017, 11:16 AM	#9
bodega_cat Lieutenant 156 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	Thanks again everyone for your responses. As of yesterday morning, this issue magically resolved itself. So I'm assuming that the condensation in the headlight evaporated. All I really did was park in the sun for the last few days to further encourage evaporation. I am gonna go with the idea to stick a couple silica packets in the headlight to help with the issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote