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      07-10-2019, 06:54 AM   #1
LittleJoe
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Moisture in driver's side headlamp

This morning I noticed my driver's side headlamp had drawn moisture. Aren't the headlamps sealed enclosures?
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      07-10-2019, 07:23 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by LittleJoe View Post
This morning I noticed my driver's side headlamp had drawn moisture. Aren't the headlamps sealed enclosures?
That’s normal
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      07-10-2019, 08:36 AM   #3
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Yup, it happens. I've had mixed success getting headlights and taillights replaced when there is condensation inside. No harm bringing it up to your dealers. Just don't expect replacement.
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      07-10-2019, 10:45 AM   #4
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Gee, I would NEVER consider that normal...
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      07-10-2019, 10:52 AM   #5
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Gee, I would NEVER consider that normal...
First time I saw it in a vehicle I was alarmed as well but from that point forward I’ve never had a car where that didn’t happen
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      07-10-2019, 11:19 AM   #6
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I think what may have happened is that it was in their air conditioned shop for several hours while they were updating the iDrive software yesterday. Then they pulled it out into the hot humid air, then washed it, then back out into the hot humid air. I backed it out of our garage and parked it in the driveway with the headlamps pointed directly at the sun about an hour ago. The condensation is starting to evaporate. I did report it to the dealer but haven't heard back from them yet.
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      07-10-2019, 11:59 AM   #7
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Actually, BMW has a factory procedure for handling condensation in headlights. While it is more of an art than science, if the condensation is too bad, the headlights can be replaced if the condensation does not go away under normal conditions (what defines "normal" I could not really tell you)....

Link: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...light/HQ4kO4KW
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      07-10-2019, 01:29 PM   #8
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I just got back from a short trip (about a mile away) and the lens looks worse. Still waiting for the service manager to call.
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      07-10-2019, 02:02 PM   #9
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I just got back from a short trip (about a mile away) and the lens looks worse. Still waiting for the service manager to call.
Does look worse. That may be an out of the ordinary amount of condensation
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      07-10-2019, 02:06 PM   #10
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      07-10-2019, 05:29 PM   #11
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It happened to my passengers side. Was gone next day. Never happened agsin
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      07-10-2019, 09:43 PM   #12
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Usually,

condensation = a very old vehicle

But here, I am assuming, nothing too serious. OK got it.
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      07-11-2019, 07:04 AM   #13
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This is from the manual

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      07-11-2019, 09:13 AM   #14
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Thanks for the post from the manual.

The service manager wants me to drop off our X7 next week to make sure something external (engine heat for example) isn't causing the condensation. He said it is unusual for condensation to appear in just one headlight so there could be something else causing it. But it may turn out to be nothing.

I will say that of all the vehicles we've owned this has never happened in any of those vehicles.
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      07-25-2019, 08:19 AM   #15
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100k SUV this should not happen, those lights are seal tight and cannot be open.
twice the headlights were replaced on "15 x3, same side which was driver side.
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      07-25-2019, 09:47 AM   #16
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In my case the moisture evaporated a day later and it has happened again since. And just had a week of very high humidity and heat here in the NE.
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      04-26-2021, 06:51 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleJoe View Post
In my case the moisture evaporated a day later and it has happened again since. And just had a week of very high humidity and heat here in the NE.
Hello. Just took delivery of a CPO and I'm curious what the outcome was for you at the dealer. I have mine in service today for similar moisture as your photo (drivers side) and was told it is normal as long as it goes away on its own (which it currently does after driving). Regardless, doesn't sit right with me. If anyone was successful at having them replace it, if you can provide any details (did it work, reoccur, etc. Also the link to the service bulletin above in this thread no longer works, does anyone have the verbiage they use to determine replacement?

Thanks!
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      04-26-2021, 07:03 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cmac518 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleJoe View Post
In my case the moisture evaporated a day later and it has happened again since. And just had a week of very high humidity and heat here in the NE.
Hello. Just took delivery of a CPO and I'm curious what the outcome was for you at the dealer. I have mine in service today for similar moisture as your photo (drivers side) and was told it is normal as long as it goes away on its own (which it currently does after driving). Regardless, doesn't sit right with me. If anyone was successful at having them replace it, if you can provide any details (did it work, reoccur, etc. Also the link to the service bulletin above in this thread no longer works, does anyone have the verbiage they use to determine replacement?

Thanks!
The moisture evaporated on its own and it hasn't occurred again.
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      04-26-2021, 09:55 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyalpine90 View Post
100k SUV this should not happen, those lights are seal tight and cannot be open.
twice the headlights were replaced on "15 x3, same side which was driver side.
That's precisely the issue. Difference in pressure, temperature gradiation, and humidity causes it, the sealed lens exacerbates the issue.

The only time I have had to replace is when it doesn't self alleviate or the droplets leave a residue after several cycles.

I have seen it in my rear lights, which is hard to see with the red lens but not the fronts.
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      04-27-2021, 09:03 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleJoe View Post
The moisture evaporated on its own and it hasn't occurred again.
Yay!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmciver View Post
Actually, BMW has a factory procedure for handling condensation in headlights. While it is more of an art than science, if the condensation is too bad, the headlights can be replaced if the condensation does not go away under normal conditions (what defines "normal" I could not really tell you)....

Link: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...light/HQ4kO4KW
Interesting. Following this link, though, New TIS says that it has been shut down as demanded by BMW.
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      04-27-2021, 09:08 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Blue View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmciver View Post
Actually, BMW has a factory procedure for handling condensation in headlights. While it is more of an art than science, if the condensation is too bad, the headlights can be replaced if the condensation does not go away under normal conditions (what defines "normal" I could not really tell you)....

Link: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...light/HQ4kO4KW
Interesting. Following this link, though, New TIS says that it has been shut down as demanded by BMW.
Ja, BMW pretty much shut Newtis down and now requires a subscription to access:
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      04-27-2021, 12:14 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auricom View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Blue View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmciver View Post
Actually, BMW has a factory procedure for handling condensation in headlights. While it is more of an art than science, if the condensation is too bad, the headlights can be replaced if the condensation does not go away under normal conditions (what defines "normal" I could not really tell you)....

Link: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...light/HQ4kO4KW
Interesting. Following this link, though, New TIS says that it has been shut down as demanded by BMW.
Ja, BMW pretty much shut Newtis down and now requires a subscription to access:
My post with that link was from back in July 2019, well before NewTIS went down. But I can look it up on my ISTA install if people really want to see it ....
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