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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums F10 / F11 5-Series Photos - Video - Media Headlight water issue
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      10-22-2020, 03:56 PM   #1
TuunedF10
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Headlight water issue

Hey guys I really need advice i have a problem with my passenger headlight letting water in. The problem started weeks back and eventually led to my entire headlight being inoperable. I swapped the tpm from driver to passenger and vice versa and verified it wasn't that. I checked the little flap that accessing the hid light it wasn't that. I put silicone packs in both the top access panel and bottom. I bought a replacement light installed it got everything working all errors went away but immediately after going through car wash the light got wet inside again..I really don't know where else water can be getting in the light from.. Anyone that can help please let me know
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      11-08-2020, 01:38 AM   #2
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Any luck finding the ingress spot?
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      01-12-2021, 05:12 PM   #3
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I seen a video where this guy cleaned his entire head light assembly with it out of the car, used soap and compressed air to find air leaks.
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      01-14-2021, 12:19 PM   #4
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Here's the video if interested.

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      01-14-2021, 08:41 PM   #5
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ugh, I have to do this to my LED headlight...not looking fwd to it.. There is an eBay service that charges $350 for xenon light repair and $400 for the LED type.. I have the replacement covers but the pain of removing the bumper and then the effort to cut up and remove the current covers is so time consuming
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      02-15-2021, 07:04 PM   #6
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UPDATE: found a damn leak in the tab that the previous owner had tried to bond/weld together the cheap way. Basically it was a small chunk of plastic that was broken up front near where the two brackets are ver close to each other (inner side of car).. I removed the old gunk and plastic welded it. Not sure how long it will last as I used the amazon plastic welding iron with the triangular head. Was definitely strange as water was almost pooling in the car through it.. and I had to use a heat gun and wife's hair dryer to completely dry the headlight. It did leave a ton of horrible water marks on the inside..but latest its sealed..
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      09-21-2021, 01:56 PM   #7
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Haven’t had this issue yet. Though I have had it with the previous E60 models.
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      09-28-2021, 11:13 PM   #8
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I had this problem with my wife's 535I XDrive. I ignored it for quite some time and then got a warning saying "Adaptive Headlight Failure". I pulled the front end and the headlight in question. My plan was to purchase two new lenses but decided it was too much work. It took two full days to try and dry it out. I bought a small tube of FLOWABLE WINDSHIELD SEALER. It is very liquid and flows easily, but the headlight has to be out to do it. It doesn't flow uphill, so you have to rotate the headlight slowly and let it seep in the seams and cracks. Don't overdo it or it will show.
I let it dry overnight and reinstalled it. I did both headlights while I had the front end off. I had to replace the small circuit board underneath the headlight because it got wet and ruined it. My headlight had enough water in it that you could see it rolling around as I rotated the light, about a cup. I also replaced the bulbs in both headlights.
No more water. For some reason or another I occasionally get the "Adaptive Headlight Failure" message. I suspect it is because I didn't have the dealer clear the codes and it is still in the memory.
Don't know why, but for a while now seems like both headlights are too low and I have to check that out.

Ed
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      09-29-2021, 02:35 PM   #9
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I've had the same problem. Finally replaced the head unit. There was moist on the circuit board. This also had to be replaced and reprogrammed.
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      04-19-2022, 08:34 AM   #10
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Great,thanks
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      11-17-2022, 04:28 AM   #11
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Had this issue and if anyone notices the smallest amount of water don't ignore it. Mine went from a little to a lot in 3-4 weeks. Ended up costing me $8,500 for all the parts. Ouch big time. If I had acted as soon as I saw it then maybe just the seal. However, the water had corroded all the components and broken the Headlight, DT Running Light Module, and Headlight/Low beam Module. LED Module Cornering & main module.

After all that I still see condensation in there. Back it goes.
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      06-19-2023, 10:18 AM   #12
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I like this idea.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BurrNinja View Post
I seen a video where this guy cleaned his entire head light assembly with it out of the car, used soap and compressed air to find air leaks.
Great idea. I am having leak issues with my driver's side module and it does not seem to be the access ports. Most likely the seal between the lens and housing, but this is a great idea for verifying.
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      12-14-2023, 02:43 AM   #13
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I'm sorry to hear about your BMW 5 series passenger headlight issue. It can be frustrating when water gets inside and causes the light to become inoperable. Here are a few possible solutions you can try:

1. Inspect the headlight housing: Carefully examine the headlight housing for any cracks, gaps, or damaged seals that may be allowing water to seep in. If you find any, you may need to replace the housing to ensure a proper seal.

2. Check the wiring connections: Make sure all the wiring connections for the headlight are secure and free from any corrosion. Loose or damaged connections can allow water to enter the headlight assembly.

3. Replace the rubber gasket or seal: If you notice that the rubber gasket or seal around the headlight assembly is deteriorated or damaged, it may need to be replaced. This seal is crucial for keeping water out, so a worn-out gasket can be the source of the problem.

4. Consider using headlight sealant: There are specific sealants available that can help prevent water from entering the headlight assembly. You can try applying a headlight sealant around the edges of the housing to create an additional barrier against water intrusion.

5. Seek professional help: If you have tried all the above steps and are still experiencing water leakage, it may be best to consult a professional mechanic or an automotive specialist. They will have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose the exact cause of the problem and provide a suitable solution.

Remember, it's important to address this issue promptly to prevent further damage to your headlight and ensure your safety on the road.

Last edited by cooltechguide; 12-14-2023 at 11:50 PM..
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      12-14-2023, 07:30 AM   #14
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water sealed, but need to correct module

I had some damage that I repaired with clear epoxy, but this did not fully seal the lens to the housing. So I had more leaking and replacement module damage (they don't seem to be as durable as the OEM). I decided to take my wife's advice and used a product from a rather annoying infomercial, FlexSeal spray. I took out both headlights and sealed the joint between lens and housing with clear flexseal spray (smells like plastic model cement). It seems to be doing the job.

Now, I need to figure out how to force the car to reinitialize the module. I used a second replacement module from the same source (it worked the first time) and they seem to appear the same to the car (ID# or SN) so it does not show initialization as an option in ISTA. I'm thinking to pull both modules and swap left/right. That way both sides see a different module and I hope it allows reinitialization at that point.
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