Headlights misted up

Baby Dave · 02-28-2011, 03:33 PM

My offside headlamp unit has misted up,it's full of condensation. Anyone any ideas how it's happened? It looks really sh1t

m@rk · 02-28-2011, 04:45 PM

Do you have xenons?

They don't run hot thus moisture can build up plus the units are not sealed.

I had this problem on my car when new (with 10 miles on the clock).

In most cases it will go away as quickly as it happened but if it bothers you and you are still under warranty then there are a set of tests the dealer will do to see if they can be classed as faulty and thus need swapping out.

Baby Dave · 02-28-2011, 05:08 PM

No they are just halogen. They were fine a few weeks ago and only the drivers side mists up

Jeff123 · 02-28-2011, 06:42 PM

Mine did it. It's over-keen use of a hose (or similar). Use a hairdryer on them. Alternatively, drive with your full lights on for a while.

Dr Dave · 03-01-2011, 02:43 PM

Make sure the back of the headlamp (where you remove the cover to replace the bulbs) is in place and secure.

Baby Dave · 03-02-2011, 11:50 AM

Checked that they are both on correctly

beemerbird · 03-02-2011, 12:25 PM

Try doing a search as I can't remember if there was a thread on this problem, but it was some time ago (when I had my E90 330i). That car the nearside headlight used to mist over but the car had bi-xenons so using them dried it out.

One of the front fog lights got seriously drowned during the floods up here of 2007 but I managed to dry it out with a hair dryer and it was fine after that.

Licit · 03-02-2011, 12:56 PM

I just noticed it on my 330xi on the drivers side the day I got it home from the dealership and washed it. I've dried it a few times with a heater fan but it keeps coming back. I was about to buy a new headlight assembly for ~$900 but figured I would try and correct the problem cheaper first.

xenon · 03-03-2011, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beemerbird

That car the nearside headlight used to mist over but the car had bi-xenons so using them dried it out.

xenons run a whole lot cooler than halogens.

beemerbird · 03-03-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

xenons run a whole lot cooler than halogens.

Indeed, so halogens should dry his headlight out more effectively unless there is a problem with the unit.

02-28-2011, 03:33 PM	#1
Baby Dave Lieutenant Colonel 25 Rep 1,872 Posts Drives: E90 320d m sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunny Lancs iTrader: (0)	Headlights misted up My offside headlamp unit has misted up,it's full of condensation. Anyone any ideas how it's happened? It looks really sh1t __________________ E90 Msport, black leather, front seat heating,6Fl, bluetooth,sun protection glass,Alpine upgrade,non rft's
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02-28-2011, 04:45 PM	#2
m@rk Major 47 Rep 1,074 Posts Drives: 2014 520D SE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00] 2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00]	Do you have xenons? They don't run hot thus moisture can build up plus the units are not sealed. I had this problem on my car when new (with 10 miles on the clock). In most cases it will go away as quickly as it happened but if it bothers you and you are still under warranty then there are a set of tests the dealer will do to see if they can be classed as faulty and thus need swapping out. __________________ MY BLOG :: MY PHOTOS :: FACEBOOK :: INSTAGRAM
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02-28-2011, 05:08 PM	#3
Baby Dave Lieutenant Colonel 25 Rep 1,872 Posts Drives: E90 320d m sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunny Lancs iTrader: (0)	No they are just halogen. They were fine a few weeks ago and only the drivers side mists up __________________ E90 Msport, black leather, front seat heating,6Fl, bluetooth,sun protection glass,Alpine upgrade,non rft's
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02-28-2011, 06:42 PM	#4
Jeff123 Jeff 303 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport x-drive F30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Mine did it. It's over-keen use of a hose (or similar). Use a hairdryer on them. Alternatively, drive with your full lights on for a while.
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03-01-2011, 02:43 PM	#5
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 115 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	Make sure the back of the headlamp (where you remove the cover to replace the bulbs) is in place and secure. __________________
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03-02-2011, 11:50 AM	#6
Baby Dave Lieutenant Colonel 25 Rep 1,872 Posts Drives: E90 320d m sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunny Lancs iTrader: (0)	Checked that they are both on correctly __________________ E90 Msport, black leather, front seat heating,6Fl, bluetooth,sun protection glass,Alpine upgrade,non rft's
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03-02-2011, 12:25 PM	#7
beemerbird Major General 177 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	Try doing a search as I can't remember if there was a thread on this problem, but it was some time ago (when I had my E90 330i). That car the nearside headlight used to mist over but the car had bi-xenons so using them dried it out. One of the front fog lights got seriously drowned during the floods up here of 2007 but I managed to dry it out with a hair dryer and it was fine after that.
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03-02-2011, 12:56 PM	#8
Licit Private First Class 12 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Indy, IN iTrader: (1)	I just noticed it on my 330xi on the drivers side the day I got it home from the dealership and washed it. I've dried it a few times with a heater fan but it keeps coming back. I was about to buy a new headlight assembly for ~$900 but figured I would try and correct the problem cheaper first.
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