Conensation inside light Clusters.

Cutie Pie · 03-14-2011, 12:06 PM

Hi I took delivery end of January 2010 of my gorgeous Z4... horrified today to discover extensive condensation inside the front lights and in the LED clusters at the back!! Rang garage.. guy told me this is normal especially after rain/frost!!
Has anyone else experienced this in brand new Z4?

ManiacGT · 03-14-2011, 01:13 PM

Normal. Lights generate heat, causes condensation. It should evaporate in time.

ChuckB · 03-14-2011, 04:03 PM

had the same issues, but it cleared up in a few days once the weather got a bit warm [above 10C]. Doesn't seem to have done any damage long term.

Z4Andy · 03-14-2011, 04:06 PM

Fronts normal.

Rears not. look for droplets in the rear lights. Both my E89s have had the rears replaced.

Cutie Pie · 03-15-2011, 04:53 AM

Thanks for your help all of you .. went out, in she who is gorgeous, last night and indeed the heat from the front lights cleared all condensation.. However the rear lights or rather the LED's are full of the stuff I presume because they do not get hot?
Rang garage they say they will look at it but got impression the guy thought I was making a fuss!.. Although he did say if there was a problem they would fix it.
Thanks again from 'Cutie Pie"

Cutie Pie · 03-15-2011, 10:33 AM

Here are some photos, thanks

MikeChrista · 03-15-2011, 12:19 PM

Not sure who your dealer is but you are not 'making a fuss' there is a genuine fault with the condensation in your rear lights that is not uncommon given other posts about this issue. Take it back and get them to fix it!

Cutie Pie · 03-15-2011, 12:30 PM

Thanks Mike.... the After Sales Manager said I had to bring it in for investigation.. however the Service Manager just phoned about something else and I told him about the lights!! He says they have to take official photos showing the car reg submit it to BMW and then wait to see if they give approval to look /rectify the problem! He did not disagree with me when I said I did not think the LEDS condensation would go away as they never heat up to clear it.

Z4Andy · 03-15-2011, 02:17 PM

Your dealer is full of BS.

There is a PUMA on the BMW system for this very issue. You will eventually have a bulb error msg and the indicators will malfunction.

The second time I had the problem I phoned the dealer to let them know and I called in two days later when the parts arrived and they fitted them while I waited.

richard in NC · 03-15-2011, 05:10 PM

I had my left rear cluster replaced under warranty for that when the Z4 was 1 month old.

davidmbell · 03-15-2011, 06:48 PM

I've had one rear cluster replaced in my May 09 car. Get back to dealer and insist they're changed!

Cutie Pie · 03-15-2011, 06:50 PM

That is exactly what I thought!!

Thanks for the info on PUMA... did the dealership you dealt with do these official photos?

Cutie Pie · 03-15-2011, 06:52 PM

Ah well I suppose I should not complain then as mine is nearly 2 months old!!

Cutie Pie · 03-15-2011, 07:04 PM

Yep, it is going to go in on the 28th to see if it merits repair under warranty... will update you on the outcome.

Thanks again.

JohnT · 03-16-2011, 02:31 PM

I had my rear right changed twice now, and again there's condensation in it. It will be going back.
Also when they done the first one they called the car in, stripped out the light, opened the box of the new one and found it to be damaged, inside the cluster. Apparently it was the 3rd one they ordered the was good (not that good I had it changed after 4 months)
There must be a major problem with quality control.

Bram · 03-23-2011, 05:22 AM

One of my rear light clusters is filling up and the indicator does not work properly all the time.
I took it in some time ago to be told by the jokers that they dont tend to replace them as the problem may occurr again! What an advert for BMW quality that is. I will be going back this week to tell them that they will replace it.

Z4Andy · 03-23-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bram

I took it in some time ago to be told by the jokers that they dont tend to replace them as the problem may occurr again!

Great! So are they going to pay your fine when you get tugged by the cops for having faulty indicators.?

What happens when you clock up 12 penalty points and they take your driving licence?

Seriously the BS that some dealers dish out really makes me angry.

I'd seriously write to BMW and tell them what you were told.

Rpenhale · 03-23-2011, 05:04 PM

Just had both my rear lights replaced under warranty, right indicator failed. Water in the right light.

lux good · 03-24-2011, 04:24 AM

This post is almost all uk people...are the Yanks not getting this problem!!??

p.s. mine are fine!!

Dr Stig 2 · 03-24-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lux good

This post is almost all uk people...are the Yanks not getting this problem!!??

p.s. mine are fine!!

Hmmm. Are you saying it rains a lot in the UK?
There's a surprise.

03-14-2011, 12:06 PM	#1
Cutie Pie New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4 23i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	Conensation inside light Clusters. Hi I took delivery end of January 2010 of my gorgeous Z4... horrified today to discover extensive condensation inside the front lights and in the LED clusters at the back!! Rang garage.. guy told me this is normal especially after rain/frost!! Has anyone else experienced this in brand new Z4? Last edited by Cutie Pie; 03-14-2011 at 12:23 PM.. Reason: make it clearer!
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03-14-2011, 01:13 PM	#2
ManiacGT Major 87 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Normal. Lights generate heat, causes condensation. It should evaporate in time.
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03-14-2011, 04:03 PM	#3
ChuckB Lieutenant 18 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 2020 X2 2.0i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hockenheim, Germany (APO) iTrader: (0)	had the same issues, but it cleared up in a few days once the weather got a bit warm [above 10C]. Doesn't seem to have done any damage long term.
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03-14-2011, 04:06 PM	#4
Z4Andy Private First Class 10 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive 35iS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belfast iTrader: (0)	Re: Fronts normal. Rears not. look for droplets in the rear lights. Both my E89s have had the rears replaced.
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03-15-2011, 04:53 AM	#5
Cutie Pie New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4 23i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your help all of you .. went out, in she who is gorgeous, last night and indeed the heat from the front lights cleared all condensation.. However the rear lights or rather the LED's are full of the stuff I presume because they do not get hot? Rang garage they say they will look at it but got impression the guy thought I was making a fuss!.. Although he did say if there was a problem they would fix it. Thanks again from 'Cutie Pie"
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03-15-2011, 10:33 AM	#6
Cutie Pie New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4 23i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	Photos of rear lights with problem Here are some photos, thanks Attached Images
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03-15-2011, 12:19 PM	#7
MikeChrista Private 0 Rep 66 Posts Drives: SDRIVE35i Space Grey Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: East Sussex UK iTrader: (0)	Not sure who your dealer is but you are not 'making a fuss' there is a genuine fault with the condensation in your rear lights that is not uncommon given other posts about this issue. Take it back and get them to fix it!
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03-15-2011, 12:30 PM	#8
Cutie Pie New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4 23i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	Thanks Mike.... the After Sales Manager said I had to bring it in for investigation.. however the Service Manager just phoned about something else and I told him about the lights!! He says they have to take official photos showing the car reg submit it to BMW and then wait to see if they give approval to look /rectify the problem! He did not disagree with me when I said I did not think the LEDS condensation would go away as they never heat up to clear it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2011, 02:17 PM	#9
Z4Andy Private First Class 10 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive 35iS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belfast iTrader: (0)	Re: Your dealer is full of BS. There is a PUMA on the BMW system for this very issue. You will eventually have a bulb error msg and the indicators will malfunction. The second time I had the problem I phoned the dealer to let them know and I called in two days later when the parts arrived and they fitted them while I waited.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2011, 05:10 PM	#10
richard in NC Colonel 1234 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	I had my left rear cluster replaced under warranty for that when the Z4 was 1 month old. __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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03-15-2011, 06:48 PM	#11
davidmbell Private First Class 19 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2012 E91 318d Exclusive Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Leeds/Bradford - UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Z4 SDrive35i [9.00]	I've had one rear cluster replaced in my May 09 car. Get back to dealer and insist they're changed! __________________ 2012 e91 318d Touring Executive Edition Vermilion Red Automatic Business Nav
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03-15-2011, 06:50 PM	#12
Cutie Pie New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4 23i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	That is exactly what I thought!! Thanks for the info on PUMA... did the dealership you dealt with do these official photos?
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03-15-2011, 06:52 PM	#13
Cutie Pie New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4 23i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	Ah well I suppose I should not complain then as mine is nearly 2 months old!!
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03-15-2011, 07:04 PM	#14
Cutie Pie New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Z4 23i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	Yep, it is going to go in on the 28th to see if it merits repair under warranty... will update you on the outcome. Thanks again.
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03-16-2011, 02:31 PM	#15
JohnT Private 4 Rep 79 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive23i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I had my rear right changed twice now, and again there's condensation in it. It will be going back. Also when they done the first one they called the car in, stripped out the light, opened the box of the new one and found it to be damaged, inside the cluster. Apparently it was the 3rd one they ordered the was good (not that good I had it changed after 4 months) There must be a major problem with quality control.
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03-23-2011, 05:22 AM	#16
Bram New Member 4 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Darlington, North East, UK iTrader: (0)	One of my rear light clusters is filling up and the indicator does not work properly all the time. I took it in some time ago to be told by the jokers that they dont tend to replace them as the problem may occurr again! What an advert for BMW quality that is. I will be going back this week to tell them that they will replace it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2011, 05:04 PM	#18
Rpenhale New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Just had both my rear lights replaced under warranty, right indicator failed. Water in the right light.
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03-24-2011, 04:24 AM	#19
lux good Banned 25 Rep 291 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 23i & Q5 2.0 TSFI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England iTrader: (0)	This post is almost all uk people...are the Yanks not getting this problem!!?? p.s. mine are fine!!
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