F32 LED headlight condensation

gomichaelkgo · 03-16-2014, 02:31 PM

LED headlights don't generate as much heat as incandescent or xenon arc headlights. Because of this, the internal temperature of the assembly stays below the dew point longer.

In the Midwestof USA, new LED traffic lights are getting obscured with snow. The old incandescent ones got hot enough to prevent snow/ice accumulation.

HighlandPete · 03-16-2014, 02:45 PM

Thread from UK forum.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=952900

Note the references to the user manual.

HighlandPete

snowghost · 03-16-2014, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Thread from UK forum.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=952900

Note the references to the user manual.

HighlandPete

Yep page 197 in US manual.

HighlandPete · 03-16-2014, 04:22 PM

Same for the F10/11 5-series.

Quote:

Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the external lamps in cool or humid weather. When the light is switched on, the condensation evaporates after a short time. The headlamp glasses do not need to be changed.

If there is a large amount of moisture, e.g., water droplets form in the lamp, have it checked by your service center.

I just don't follow the comments to escalate the issue, if the dealer doesn't replace. Have some of the posters not seen this misting before in vehicles, and not just BMW?

HighlandPete

Explorer3253 · 03-16-2014, 04:25 PM

If it's normal, then I'm fine with it although I think that it shouldn't be showing condensation. I've owned 6 bmws before and I've never seem it on any of my vehicles so this is a first for me

HighlandPete · 03-16-2014, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorer3253

If it's normal, then I'm fine with it although I think that it shouldn't be showing condensation. I've owned 6 bmws before and I've never seem it on any of my vehicles so this is a first for me

I see it virtually every week, when we have the typical Scottish Highland weather I drive in. Both head lights react virtually the same, had it occur on my E91, again both lights, and see it on other BMW cars, both lights, so not as if one light has a fault.

The important thing is it dries off after a short time.

HighlandPete

reprod · 03-17-2014, 08:49 AM

I had the same problem when I first picked up my 435. I havent seen it recently though. Once the humidity levels dropped I stopped seeing the issue so much.

It is true though, with the LED headlights it seems not as much heat is generated and condensation will take longer to burn off. Regardless, it can be an eye sore at times and there should be a solution. As it stands right now... I love the LED headlights anyway.

Christos · 03-17-2014, 11:54 AM

I have seen this on other BMW's I've owned, specifically my 2008 E92, they verified it and replaced a headlight assembly.

I can't blame the dealer for not taking action solely from a customer provided picture. That's asking for a little much in my opinion.

Does the condensation cause any problems? does it affect the light output or damage the electronic circuitry? Or is it purely a cosmetic issue

Explorer3253 · 03-17-2014, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

I have seen this on other BMW's I've owned, specifically my 2008 E92, they verified it and replaced a headlight assembly.

I can't blame the dealer for not taking action solely from a customer provided picture. That's asking for a little much in my opinion.

Does the condensation cause any problems? does it affect the light output or damage the electronic circuitry? Or is it purely a cosmetic issue

It's purely a cosmetic issue as of now. It would be pretty hard to replicate as it happens with humidity. A picture for certain situations should suffice, especially if it is brand new

Blubaron79 · 03-19-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorer3253

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christos

I have seen this on other BMW's I've owned, specifically my 2008 E92, they verified it and replaced a headlight assembly.

I can't blame the dealer for not taking action solely from a customer provided picture. That's asking for a little much in my opinion.

Does the condensation cause any problems? does it affect the light output or damage the electronic circuitry? Or is it purely a cosmetic issue

It's purely a cosmetic issue as of now. It would be pretty hard to replicate as it happens with humidity. A picture for certain situations should suffice, especially if it is brand new

In the owners manual it says some condensation is normal. After turning your headlights on, the condensation should dry up.

Alpine435i · 03-19-2014, 02:40 PM

This is normal...for a 20 year old Pontiac Grand Am or Toyota Camry. I've never seen condensation in the headlights of any late-model car, and I would be appalled if I came out to my car one day and the headlights were fogged up. For what it's worth, I'm in the SF Bay Area which has well above average humidity, too.

snowghost · 03-19-2014, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine435i

This is normal...for a 20 year old Pontiac Grand Am or Toyota Camry. I've never seen condensation in the headlights of any late-model car, and I would be appalled if I came out to my car one day and the headlights were fogged up. For what it's worth, I'm in the SF Bay Area which has well above average humidity, too.

Sealed units back then and different lighting technology.

Russbmw · 01-06-2016, 03:27 AM

Mine do the same, and I agree, not the kind of aesthetics you want on a £50k car, regardless of what the handbook says.

I tried removing the bulb covers and blasting a hairdrier at the lens for a while to evaporate the condensation - then left the bulb covers off overnight (with the bonnet closed, obviously). That didn't work, despite it being the usual route to solve this on previous BMWs.

What I have found helped (to the point there was no condensation in my headlights this morning after driving to work), was to use some silica gel. You know if your missus buys a new handbag or something, you get those little paper sachets of silca gel. I carefully placed them inside each headlight and put the bulb covers back on. Left it for a day or 2 (didn't need to use the car), then took them out. Seems to have worked....for the time being, at least.

G30 B58 · 01-06-2016, 06:33 AM

Dafuq people.

It's normal.

Says so in the owners manual.

Headlights can't be completely sealed. The little bit of heat the LED / Xenon create needs to go somewhere. That little bit of heat will also take care of the condensation.

I've seen the M3/4 guys crying about the headlights not melting snow and ice too.

beanbaguk · 01-06-2016, 06:53 AM

Also happened to me. My BMW dealership told me it was not normal and they required replacing. However my warranty wouldn't cover that area so I left it.

It eventually went away but still....very annoying.

bhawkdrvr · 01-06-2016, 10:05 AM

My dealership replaced my headlight when it was getting condensation under warranty. If it impedes the function of your headlights, which IS a safety hazard, they should be replaced.

goj · 01-06-2016, 02:42 PM

Same thing on my mom's M4. The lights will be replaced at the 1200 mile service.

shivaswrath · 01-06-2016, 04:07 PM

well all lights are "vented" so that might be part of the issue...since LEDs run a lot warmer than Xenons, maybe that's why we're seeing this more?

G30 B58 · 01-06-2016, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

well all lights are "vented" so that might be part of the issue...since LEDs run a lot warmer than Xenons, maybe that's why we're seeing this more?

I'd say it's opposite.

LEDs in snow storm:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1206896

03-16-2014, 02:31 PM	#23
gomichaelkgo Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	LED headlights don't generate as much heat as incandescent or xenon arc headlights. Because of this, the internal temperature of the assembly stays below the dew point longer. In the Midwestof USA, new LED traffic lights are getting obscured with snow. The old incandescent ones got hot enough to prevent snow/ice accumulation.
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03-16-2014, 02:45 PM	#24
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6659 Rep 15,858 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	Thread from UK forum. http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=952900 Note the references to the user manual. HighlandPete
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03-16-2014, 04:25 PM	#27
Explorer3253 Lieutenant 61 Rep 557 Posts Drives: 2014 f32 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Westchester County, NY iTrader: (4)	If it's normal, then I'm fine with it although I think that it shouldn't be showing condensation. I've owned 6 bmws before and I've never seem it on any of my vehicles so this is a first for me __________________ '06 325Xi - Jet Black - SOLD, '08 328Xi - Jet Black, Coral, 6spd - SOLD, '07 328Xi - Jet Black, SOLD, '11 328Xi, Deep Sea Blue, Oyster/Black - SOLD '14 428XI, Alpine White, Coral, MSport, Auto, Premium, Tech, Heated Seats/Steering, Drivers Ass, Drivers+ - On Order for ED
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03-17-2014, 08:49 AM	#29
reprod Lieutenant Colonel 148 Rep 1,728 Posts Drives: '16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (6)	I had the same problem when I first picked up my 435. I havent seen it recently though. Once the humidity levels dropped I stopped seeing the issue so much. It is true though, with the LED headlights it seems not as much heat is generated and condensation will take longer to burn off. Regardless, it can be an eye sore at times and there should be a solution. As it stands right now... I love the LED headlights anyway. __________________ '11 Space Grey E92 335xi M-Sport (KWv1 Coils \| Saddle Brown \| Bamboo) (Returned) '14 Mineral Grey F32 335i M-Sport (Dinan DHP \| LED Lights \| Coral Red \| Hexagonal Aluminum) (Returned) '16 Mineral Grey F80 M3 ZCP
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03-17-2014, 11:54 AM	#30
Christos Captain 189 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2019 Z4 s3.0 Msport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central, NJ iTrader: (0)	I have seen this on other BMW's I've owned, specifically my 2008 E92, they verified it and replaced a headlight assembly. I can't blame the dealer for not taking action solely from a customer provided picture. That's asking for a little much in my opinion. Does the condensation cause any problems? does it affect the light output or damage the electronic circuitry? Or is it purely a cosmetic issue __________________ 2019 Z4 sDrive 30i Msport, Previously owned BMWs, 2014 428i Msport, 2008 335i Coupe, 2007 328xi sedan, 2002 325i sedan 1996 318ti (loved this little car)
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03-19-2014, 02:40 PM	#33
Alpine435i Banned 28 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 435i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	This is normal...for a 20 year old Pontiac Grand Am or Toyota Camry. I've never seen condensation in the headlights of any late-model car, and I would be appalled if I came out to my car one day and the headlights were fogged up. For what it's worth, I'm in the SF Bay Area which has well above average humidity, too.
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01-06-2016, 03:27 AM	#35
Russbmw Colonel 680 Rep 2,444 Posts Drives: 2018 630iGT sport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Caloundra, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 640i [0.00] 2014 BMW 530d GT [0.00] 2017 Kawasaki Z1000SX [0.00]	Mine do the same, and I agree, not the kind of aesthetics you want on a £50k car, regardless of what the handbook says. I tried removing the bulb covers and blasting a hairdrier at the lens for a while to evaporate the condensation - then left the bulb covers off overnight (with the bonnet closed, obviously). That didn't work, despite it being the usual route to solve this on previous BMWs. What I have found helped (to the point there was no condensation in my headlights this morning after driving to work), was to use some silica gel. You know if your missus buys a new handbag or something, you get those little paper sachets of silca gel. I carefully placed them inside each headlight and put the bulb covers back on. Left it for a day or 2 (didn't need to use the car), then took them out. Seems to have worked....for the time being, at least. __________________
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01-06-2016, 06:33 AM	#36
G30 B58 Pace Car Driver 1548 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: '22 AW G30 B58 M-Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: my garage in PA iTrader: (0)	Dafuq people. It's normal. Says so in the owners manual. Headlights can't be completely sealed. The little bit of heat the LED / Xenon create needs to go somewhere. That little bit of heat will also take care of the condensation. I've seen the M3/4 guys crying about the headlights not melting snow and ice too.
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01-06-2016, 06:53 AM	#37
beanbaguk Captain 455 Rep 938 Posts Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Costa del Sol iTrader: (0)	Also happened to me. My BMW dealership told me it was not normal and they required replacing. However my warranty wouldn't cover that area so I left it. It eventually went away but still....very annoying.
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01-06-2016, 10:05 AM	#38
bhawkdrvr Private First Class 50 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 3ThrityFizzl3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Derrty Souf iTrader: (1)	My dealership replaced my headlight when it was getting condensation under warranty. If it impedes the function of your headlights, which IS a safety hazard, they should be replaced.
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01-06-2016, 02:42 PM	#39
goj Brigadier General 2253 Rep 3,622 Posts Drives: 2016 EBII 340i 6-MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Same thing on my mom's M4. The lights will be replaced at the 1200 mile service. __________________ BMW CCA Member #516012 2016 340i, Estoril Blue, Manual Transmission, MPE, MPBBK, HRE FF04 Instagram: @brandons340i
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01-06-2016, 04:07 PM	#40
shivaswrath Brigadier General 649 Rep 4,323 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lost in NJ iTrader: (3)	well all lights are "vented" so that might be part of the issue...since LEDs run a lot warmer than Xenons, maybe that's why we're seeing this more? __________________ CURRENT: 2017 RS3 (miss you guys) SOLD: 2012 335i Mineral Gray M Performance Exhaust/Brakes/Suspension/LSD\|Bav Stage 1/AMP\|\|ER CP/IC/DP/OC \| Dinan CAI/N55 PWG BIG TURBO\|BMWF30.com
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