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      09-19-2014, 01:33 PM   #1
650i2014
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LED Headlight Condensation

Hi guys,

I recently noticed what looks like condensation stains from the inside of the LED headlights on my 1 year-old 650i coupe (MY2014).

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I suppose the dealer should sort this out/replace it under warranty... ?

A few pics attached.
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Last edited by 650i2014; 09-19-2014 at 02:30 PM..
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      09-19-2014, 02:35 PM   #2
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Do you take your car through a high pressure/touchless car wash?
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      09-19-2014, 02:44 PM   #3
650i2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MMG640 View Post
Do you take your car through a high pressure/touchless car wash?
Yes very recently and only a few times; had always hand-washed it myself! I've got a VW that has gone through the touch-less high pressure car wash numerous times for many years and never noticed anything like this.
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      09-19-2014, 02:55 PM   #4
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I've used one a few times but haven't seen any issues with the seals like that. BMW should replace the headlights
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      09-19-2014, 03:07 PM   #5
650i2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MMG640 View Post
I've used one a few times but haven't seen any issues with the seals like that. BMW should replace the headlights
Will be contacting the dealer; I hope they do replace them.
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      09-19-2014, 04:52 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MMG640 View Post
Do you take your car through a high pressure/touchless car wash?
I think you nailed it. I'm sticking with a good ole Hand Wash.
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      09-19-2014, 05:10 PM   #7
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I usually go to the self car wash places to use the pressure washer. Used a few local car wash shops, but $50 a car wash isn't worth it.
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      09-22-2014, 10:16 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 650i2014 View Post
Will be contacting the dealer; I hope they do replace them.
Dealer isn't going to replace it. The BMW headlight cover is made to be easily removed. They probably going to remove it, clean it, replace the seal, and re-install. (just trying to set your expectation)

When my X5 had a broken headlight, the replacement cost $1,500 without the electronics. I can't imaging what an LED headlight for a 6 would cost, even without electronics.
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      10-03-2014, 04:21 AM   #9
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Guys just to update you, dealer called me and confirmed they will be replacing both headlights under warranty, no questions asked
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      10-03-2014, 06:53 AM   #10
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That's great news but did it take them 2 weeks to make that decision ?
Hope they haven't had your car all this time.
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      10-03-2014, 01:21 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WWnyc View Post
..
Hope they haven't had your car all this time.
No not really, I took the car in for service a few days ago, they also had a look at the headlights, it took them a couple of days to confirm
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      10-05-2014, 04:11 AM   #12
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I'm planning to install headlight protection clear films on my new headlights once I get them, has anyone tried any of those? I'd like to protect them against road debris, scratches etc. My only concern is that it might impact the clarity of the headlights when the lights are on
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      10-06-2014, 10:03 AM   #13
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Clear film won't impact the lighting in anyway.
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      10-15-2014, 03:09 AM   #14
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I'm happy that 650i2014 got the LED lights replaced by the dealer with so little resistance.

Look at my 2012 640i's LED lights:





Compared to 650i2014's lights, my LEDs look like Noah's flood had just been recreated within them - and this was only after a light shower. To rub salt into injury, the local dealer here in Singapore said "it was normal" until I threatened them with a lawyer's letter stating that it wasn't in anyway normal.

The stealership finally swapped for new items, and they've worked fine ever since.

I think you guys got it so lucky Stateside!
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      10-15-2014, 05:03 AM   #15
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Wow that looks horrible , glad they finally agreed to replace them. In your case it seems to be a temporary condensation that would eventually go away (still not acceptable). My headlights are permanently stained from the inside.
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      03-01-2015, 08:11 PM   #16
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I was surprised that the manual says condensation is normal. I had water droplets in mine, and the dealer said they defogged them, but that if it happens again they will replace them. SA said he just needs to jump through the hoops before sinking $3K on new headlights.

On a related note, does anybody know how to adjust the height on these new LED lights?
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      02-06-2016, 11:34 AM   #17
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Hi Guys,

The same issue has appeared on the new headlights just over a year since replacing them and not a single time taken to any high pressure car wash (hand-washed by myself only). I think the headlight design is flawed
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      02-06-2016, 11:48 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 650i2014
Hi Guys,

The same issue has appeared on the new headlights just over a year since replacing them and not a single time taken to any high pressure car wash (hand-washed by myself only). I think the headlight design is flawed
Seems there may be a trend arising with LED Headlamps that have been replaced.

On mine, the gasket for the turn signal LED module was torn and water entered into the headlamp and pooled at the bottom. Once enough built up, it leaked into the Headlamp Driver Module and shorted everything out.

A tiny amount of condensation is normal with extreme temperature or humidity changes, but should clear within 10 minutes on an LED headlamp. There are two recirculating fans that operate to cool the heat sinks even with the ignition off. If you have condensation for more than a couple of hours or can see streak marks on the inside of the lens, push your dealer for replacement.

What would have been a less than $1500 warranty claim submitted by the first dealer I went to, ended up being just shy of $18k from a dealer while I was on a road trip.
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      02-07-2016, 06:44 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miamiten View Post
Seems there may be a trend arising with LED Headlamps that have been replaced.

On mine, the gasket for the turn signal LED module was torn and water entered into the headlamp and pooled at the bottom. Once enough built up, it leaked into the Headlamp Driver Module and shorted everything out.

A tiny amount of condensation is normal with extreme temperature or humidity changes, but should clear within 10 minutes on an LED headlamp. There are two recirculating fans that operate to cool the heat sinks even with the ignition off. If you have condensation for more than a couple of hours or can see streak marks on the inside of the lens, push your dealer for replacement.

What would have been a less than $1500 warranty claim submitted by the first dealer I went to, ended up being just shy of $18k from a dealer while I was on a road trip.
Had Both mine replaced under warranty. 18k ???? Lol what else did they replace ????

Even all the internal electricals and swaps of the lights are less than 6k

Total bill for mine swapped out after shorting lighting circuits was 4K

Not being funny but 18k is a little unbelievable unless they somehow set on fire, then set your car alight
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      02-07-2016, 08:45 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rufus123
Quote:
Originally Posted by miamiten View Post
Seems there may be a trend arising with LED Headlamps that have been replaced.

On mine, the gasket for the turn signal LED module was torn and water entered into the headlamp and pooled at the bottom. Once enough built up, it leaked into the Headlamp Driver Module and shorted everything out.

A tiny amount of condensation is normal with extreme temperature or humidity changes, but should clear within 10 minutes on an LED headlamp. There are two recirculating fans that operate to cool the heat sinks even with the ignition off. If you have condensation for more than a couple of hours or can see streak marks on the inside of the lens, push your dealer for replacement.

What would have been a less than $1500 warranty claim submitted by the first dealer I went to, ended up being just shy of $18k from a dealer while I was on a road trip.
Had Both mine replaced under warranty. 18k ???? Lol what else did they replace ????

Even all the internal electricals and swaps of the lights are less than 6k

Total bill for mine swapped out after shorting lighting circuits was 4K

Not being funny but 18k is a little unbelievable unless they somehow set on fire, then set your car alight
All the modules both left and right, right assembly, FRM, and enough of the wiring harness had corroded to warrant replacement. As expensive as the parts were, labor was nearly as much. Took 10 working days to repair.

The car refused to acknowledge the safety triggers and did this until everything was toast...

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