[06first325i]

I recently bought my 2006 325i sedan.
When I got it the driver's side headlight was full of condensation, and only worked on high beams. The low-beam bulb was broken.
I went out and replaced both low-beams bulbs, and they both worked perfectly for about a week, then it rained, and poof, it's out again.
Tonight I checked it expecting a broken bulb again, only to find one that looked perfect.
I noticed the insulation on the wires that connect to the bulb directly were pretty corroded. I taped them up really well, put the bulb back in and it's working perfectly again.....now the riddle...

THE PASSANGER SIDE LOW-BEAM (WHICH WORKED TODAY) NO LONGER WORKS. THE PASSENGER LIGHT NOW ONLY WORKS ON HIGH-BEAM.....WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT DID I DO?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Please help....

[TheeGovernor]

Originally Posted by 06first325i

I recently bought my 2006 325i sedan.
When I got it the driver's side headlight was full of condensation, and only worked on high beams. The low-beam bulb was broken.
I went out and replaced both low-beams bulbs, and they both worked perfectly for about a week, then it rained, and poof, it's out again.
Tonight I checked it expecting a broken bulb again, only to find one that looked perfect.
I noticed the insulation on the wires that connect to the bulb directly were pretty corroded. I taped them up really well, put the bulb back in and it's working perfectly again.....now the riddle...

THE PASSANGER SIDE LOW-BEAM (WHICH WORKED TODAY) NO LONGER WORKS. THE PASSENGER LIGHT NOW ONLY WORKS ON HIGH-BEAM.....WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT DID I DO?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Please help....

Sounds like you are getting water in the ahl module in the head light. Check it out.

[06first325i]

Does that ahl module control both lights....low beams only?

[EndOfAnEra]

My suggestion - take the headlight off of the car and unplug any electrical connectors. Make sure there is no corrosion on the metal where it contacts the module. If there is, scrape it off. Could be part of the problem.

[06first325i]

That requires me to remove the bumper cover which I'm afraid is beyond my mechanical ability

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by 06first325i

That requires me to remove the bumper cover which I'm afraid is beyond my mechanical ability

...If you're afraid to remove a damn bumper then you shouldn't have purchased a 12 year old BMW to begin with. Go lease or finance a brand new BMW, finance a CPO BMW, or pay cash for a 12 year old Camry.

If you wanted to drive the Ultimate Driving Machine (E9X BMW), then expect to DIY some shit, or you better have a fat wallet to pay the indy mechanic/stealership.

I had the same problem with condensation in the driver side headlight housing. The only fix is to remove bumper, remove the headlight, bake out the moisture using a heat gun and cardboard box, seal the headlight housing seams with RTV Marine grade sealant. Then reinstall. I've had no condensation ever since.

[06first325i]

Wow do you have some kind of unresolved anger issues? I understand my limitations, and will pay someone to fix it correctly. You need to understand your limitations and only talk to people that visit you in your Mommy's basement, until you get your meds balanced and talk things through with your counselor.

Good luck angry person, but stay off of my thread please.

[TemjinX2]

if you have condensation in your head light..then you have a leak somewhere. Head lights are suppose to be relatively closed off system to prevent moisture. The moisture is probably causing shorts.

i would inspect all the rubber sealant along the head light and the rubber gaskets on the caps to see if there any cracks or parts of the rubber has gotten brittle and fallen off.

if you find cracks or parts broken off the rubber sealant or gasket will need to be replaced.

[RocketSurgeon]

Do you have xenons or halogen?
All the e9x and e6x headlights are known for the wires shedding their insulation inside the housing. If you have halogens, I would check the wiring inside the headlight. If you have Xenons, I would check the ballast.
Removing the bumper isn't bad BTW, a few bolts under the hood, a few bolts under the car, and a few in the wheel wells.

[06first325i]

They are halogens.

[e90yyc]

First off, congrats on the purchase! It will be a very rewarding one. But as B-Nugz said, be prepared to DIY or walk into the shop backwards grabbing your ankles.

I'd also recommend doing somewhat of an overhaul on your headlights. First, check to ensure any and all moisture/dust covers are installed correctly and not compromised. But regardless, it sounds like some damage has already been done.

If it were me, I would take them both out, dry 'em, and fix any wiring that has been corroded or damaged.

If you're paying someone to do it, first see what it'll cost. Not entirely sure, but depending on how fair the shop is, you might be better off just swapping in some good used halogen housings. They can be had fairly cheap.

Keep us posted.

Edit: For halogen-equipped vehicles, low and high beams are separate bulbs. They are not a dual-filament bulb.