Haze and cloudy Projector Headlight

cocomobile · 11-03-2009, 11:17 AM

Fellas,

I'm starting to get really annoyed with the fact that one of my Xenons has developed a fairly thick haze cloudy in the projector lens. It’s a real buzz-kill when one still has that nice-clear xenon look and the other one doesn’t.

Has anybody experienced this same problem? Anybody know a fix without having to buy a whole new assembly?

rjd598 · 11-03-2009, 11:23 AM

warranty?

cocomobile · 11-03-2009, 11:41 AM

Sad to say but NOPE!

gimmes name · 11-03-2009, 12:00 PM

is this on the actual external plastic cover? or inside that, on the actual lens?

I have a "haze" on the external plastic cover that's been growing, but I never bothered to ask if warranty would cover that given that's an external body part. I'm at a loss at why the car would develop something like that.

i.e. warranty wouldn't cover if you had a dent on your car, or a scratch on the bumper. Of course, this is implying that the I indirectly did something to cause the haze..... dont know

ejazbmw · 11-03-2009, 12:03 PM

if its on the outside it should buff out fairly easily my friend mustang does this for some reason and i just buff it out...

chazzz · 11-03-2009, 12:19 PM

Must be cataracts?? Ask the doctor to replace the lens.

SV Concepts III · 11-03-2009, 12:26 PM

There are a few DIYs over at bimmerfest that show you how to sand down and polish the lenses.

cocomobile · 11-03-2009, 12:32 PM

The haze is on the projector lens. The sphere itself.

I’m not sure if I can open the assembly and just wipe it off or if the haze is “interior side” of the lens.

Does anyone know if I can open the assembly?

bsamoul · 11-03-2009, 12:32 PM

The worst a dealer can say is no if you ask them to take a look at them. Don't be afraid to

bsamoul · 11-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocomobile

The haze is on the projector lens. The sphere itself.

I’m not sure if I can open the assembly and just wipe it off or if the haze is “interior side” of the lens.

Does anyone know if I can open the assembly?

The assembly is supposed to be sealed. The seal is what keeps moisture out, yours must be cracked someplace and letting moisture in. Get the dealer to fix it.

cocomobile · 11-03-2009, 12:46 PM

I dont think it's moisture because if it was, wouldn't driving all night with the lights on clear up the moisuture? and it's not the light assembly cover-lense that is hazed but the projector lense.

I would like to take it to the dealer for service but i'm out of warranty. And when i asked them before they gave me the typical money-sucking answer.."you'll need to buy a new assembly".

Invertiser · 11-03-2009, 03:17 PM

Check out their website. They are the best for headlamps and scratches

cocomobile · 11-03-2009, 04:18 PM

scratch wizzard seems to focus on paint jobs and i dont see them servicing the SoCal area either.

Should i give up and say my only 2 choices are either live with the haze or cough up $1000 for a new assembly?

skip2mylou123 · 04-09-2014, 08:27 PM

Sorry for bumping an old thread, But i have exactly the same issue. One of my headlight sphere (yes the sphere itself, not the outer headlight cover) has a thick cloudy haze as well and I have no idea how to remove it. OP, did you find any solutions?

kressley · 04-17-2014, 08:56 PM

I just purchased a 2008. I have the same issue on the passenger side sphere. I would like to get it fixed too, but I'm afraid the only solution may be to buy a new headlight assembly. The warranty I bought probably won't cover this.
I even used the light issue as a reason to get the dealer to take another $500 off the selling price.
I'll keep searching and checking back and I hope someone may have another fix.

shadow191 · 04-17-2014, 09:09 PM

If it's on the projector lens, you'd have to disassemble the headlight. It can be a cheap replacement, I swapped the lens on my FX for TSX ones for better cutoff and the replacements were only $50 for the pair. But it's some work. Cheaper than a new headlight though. Most headlight lenses are standard size, 2.5" or 3" in some cases.

If it's not moisture, it could be some sort of off gassing from glue/plastic. Usually it happens when someone modifies their lights and don't cure the paint/glue. Not sure what would cause it on OEM.

11-03-2009, 11:17 AM	#1
cocomobile New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Haze and cloudy Projector Headlight Fellas, I'm starting to get really annoyed with the fact that one of my Xenons has developed a fairly thick haze cloudy in the projector lens. It’s a real buzz-kill when one still has that nice-clear xenon look and the other one doesn’t. Has anybody experienced this same problem? Anybody know a fix without having to buy a whole new assembly?
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11-03-2009, 11:23 AM	#2
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	warranty?
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11-03-2009, 11:41 AM	#3
cocomobile New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Sad to say but NOPE!
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11-03-2009, 12:00 PM	#4
gimmes name Private First Class 6 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 335 E92, 335 E93, S550, CLS550 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	is this on the actual external plastic cover? or inside that, on the actual lens? I have a "haze" on the external plastic cover that's been growing, but I never bothered to ask if warranty would cover that given that's an external body part. I'm at a loss at why the car would develop something like that. i.e. warranty wouldn't cover if you had a dent on your car, or a scratch on the bumper. Of course, this is implying that the I indirectly did something to cause the haze..... dont know
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-03-2009, 12:03 PM	#5
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	if its on the outside it should buff out fairly easily my friend mustang does this for some reason and i just buff it out...
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11-03-2009, 12:19 PM	#6
chazzz Captain 116 Rep 712 Posts Drives: 2018 Chrysler 300S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California iTrader: (4)	Must be cataracts?? Ask the doctor to replace the lens. __________________ SOLD - 2007 BMW 335i Sedan, Montego Blue with Lemon seats, AluFelgen CS7 rims & Continental DW tires CURRENT - 2018 Chrysler 300S, Crystal Granite Metallic.
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11-03-2009, 12:26 PM	#7
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	There are a few DIYs over at bimmerfest that show you how to sand down and polish the lenses.
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11-03-2009, 12:32 PM	#8
cocomobile New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	The haze is on the projector lens. The sphere itself. I’m not sure if I can open the assembly and just wipe it off or if the haze is “interior side” of the lens. Does anyone know if I can open the assembly?
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11-03-2009, 12:32 PM	#9
bsamoul Major General 165 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California iTrader: (2)	The worst a dealer can say is no if you ask them to take a look at them. Don't be afraid to __________________ -Brian 2X 2006 BMW 325i [Electric Red & Mystic Blue] \| ZPP \| V1 \| Rear Fogs \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| EAS RemoteKey \| BMS Powerbox \| Projector90 Headlights w/ LED AE \| LED plate lights \| OEM Blacklines http://www.tech-shine.com
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11-03-2009, 12:46 PM	#11
cocomobile New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I dont think it's moisture because if it was, wouldn't driving all night with the lights on clear up the moisuture? and it's not the light assembly cover-lense that is hazed but the projector lense. I would like to take it to the dealer for service but i'm out of warranty. And when i asked them before they gave me the typical money-sucking answer.."you'll need to buy a new assembly".
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11-03-2009, 03:17 PM	#12
Invertiser Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Try the Scratch Wizard Check out their website. They are the best for headlamps and scratches
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11-03-2009, 04:18 PM	#13
cocomobile New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	scratch wizzard seems to focus on paint jobs and i dont see them servicing the SoCal area either. Should i give up and say my only 2 choices are either live with the haze or cough up $1000 for a new assembly?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2014, 08:27 PM	#14
skip2mylou123 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (3)	Sorry for bumping an old thread, But i have exactly the same issue. One of my headlight sphere (yes the sphere itself, not the outer headlight cover) has a thick cloudy haze as well and I have no idea how to remove it. OP, did you find any solutions?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2014, 08:56 PM	#15
kressley Enlisted Member 6 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I just purchased a 2008. I have the same issue on the passenger side sphere. I would like to get it fixed too, but I'm afraid the only solution may be to buy a new headlight assembly. The warranty I bought probably won't cover this. I even used the light issue as a reason to get the dealer to take another $500 off the selling price. I'll keep searching and checking back and I hope someone may have another fix.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-17-2014, 09:09 PM	#16
shadow191 Lieutenant Colonel 181 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: 2017 Volvo XC90 R-Design Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: GA iTrader: (3)	If it's on the projector lens, you'd have to disassemble the headlight. It can be a cheap replacement, I swapped the lens on my FX for TSX ones for better cutoff and the replacements were only $50 for the pair. But it's some work. Cheaper than a new headlight though. Most headlight lenses are standard size, 2.5" or 3" in some cases. If it's not moisture, it could be some sort of off gassing from glue/plastic. Usually it happens when someone modifies their lights and don't cure the paint/glue. Not sure what would cause it on OEM.
	Appreciate 0 Quote