Rear lamp cluster issues anyone?

[ManiacGT]

Has anyone else had issues with the rear lamp clusters on their car with the unit lens separating from the cluster housing? I've had two replacement sets fitted to my car because the lens lifts from the lamp unit over time allowing water in and causing at best condensation and worst lamp failure. The third set of lamps on my car have now failed and I'm facing BMW to have them replaced outside of warranty. Annoyed that this keeps happening time after time...

[jparnes1]

I haven't heard of others voicing this concern. Sorry you're having so many issues.

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Has anyone else had issues with the rear lamp clusters on their car with the unit lens separating from the cluster housing? I've had two replacement sets fitted to my car because the lens lifts from the lamp unit over time allowing water in and causing at best condensation and worst lamp failure. The third set of lamps on my car have now failed and I'm facing BMW to have them replaced outside of warranty. Annoyed that this keeps happening time after time...

That's strange! Since you mentioned it I went out and looked at mine. The right side is separating near the bottom, below the turn signal @ 2 spots - about 6" & 8" long, so 14" combined. It also has a crack, about 1" long, that looks like it might be through the lens. Not a mark on the lens, so no parking lot bump damage. The left side is fine.

I live in a dry climate so condensation is normally not an issue and I hand wash the car so it doesn't get jet blasted. Haven't noted any water inside the lens yet. Next time I have it in for service, I will point this out to them. Thanks for raising the issue!

[BMWZ4RIDER]

Can you send some pics so I know what I am potentially looking for. I am assuming that since all looks normal, (assumed) I would like to compared. Thanx in advance.

[heilars]

BMW changed my rear lamps under warranty 2 months ago because of this issue. The new lamps already got some water inside..

[Hoa]

I haven't seen this problem yet but BMW had to replace my taillight within the first month of owning it because the tail light failed and threw a code.

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER

Can you send some pics so I know what I am potentially looking for. I am assuming that since all looks normal, (assumed) I would like to compared. Thanx in advance.

When you can no longer see the grey seal clearly. I don't have any condensation or trapped moisture yet. But you can tell the bond line is breaking. I can also feel a crack in the outer surface.



NORMAL



DEBONDING Starting to Occur (The clear plastic looks crazed)

[Mayhem]

I was curious, so I went out and checked. On the right side lens, along the bottom edge, the plastic does indeed looked crazed and maybe even a little cracked. So far, I have not noticed any condensation or leaking, and with a few more years left on the warranty, I am not worried yet. I will be sure to keep an eye on it though. I winder if it starts to crack from torsional forces from maneuvering?

[cdeslandes]

I've had one replaced under warranty due to condensation and occasional bad contact, and the other one is now showing condensation so it's next to go.

[Mayhem]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

I've had one replaced under warranty due to condensation and occasional bad contact, and the other one is now showing condensation so it's next to go.

Now that I have had a chance to look at the nature of the damage that occurs, it seems to me that this will happen sooner or later to all taillamp assemblies unless BMW decides to change their design a bit.

[HerrK]

Originally Posted by Mayhem

Now that I have had a chance to look at the nature of the damage that occurs, it seems to me that this will happen sooner or later to all taillamp assemblies unless BMW decides to change their design a bit.

What exactly do you surmise is the design flaw? This site shows some nice multiple views of the assembly.

http://www.fabdirect.com/bmw-parts-f...191776/17645/#

[Mayhem]

Originally Posted by HerrK

What exactly do you surmise is the design flaw?

Anytime you have tight tolerances and no allowances for "flex" torsional forces have to go somewhere so they seek the weakest spot in the design. Since I have not been involved in any crashes, I can only surmise that the taillamp assembly twists ever so slightly from torsional force, and after repeated twists and turns, the bottom edge starts to tear away from the fixture. I guess if I was to recommend a redesign, I would factor in a bit of "flex" so that the taillamp didn't crack under torsional stress.

[nicknaz]

How long have your cars been in service, and do you park outside or inside ?

[Asbjorn]

Originally Posted by Mayhem

I was curious, so I went out and checked. On the right side lens, along the bottom edge, the plastic does indeed looked crazed and maybe even a little cracked. So far, I have not noticed any condensation or leaking, and with a few more years left on the warranty, I am not worried yet. I will be sure to keep an eye on it though. I winder if it starts to crack from torsional forces from maneuvering?

I just went out to check as well, but did not find any cracks similar to yours. However I did find something which looks a bit like rust sitting in one corner.

See attached pictures. My car is 4 years old and yesterday it was parked outside as we experienced the worst rainfall this year. +12hrs of pouring rain.

[ManiacGT]

Similar to HerrK above...

Left near side cluster. Look at the black sealing line at the base..



Then compare it with the seal on the right offside cluster, you can see what looks like condensation but in fact it's the plastic that's fractured.



You can press the lens on the failed unit and clearly see its detached.

[BMWZ4]

Thanks for posting this; checked mine and sure enough, the passenger side is delaminating. I'll take it in next week. I trust it can be done under warranty!

Dave

[raven333]

There is a real issue with the rear light clusters. I had mine changed for the crazing problem, plus lots of condensation and then one of them failed completely in that the indicators would not work.
There is an issue with the gasket giving off a chemical which is affecting the clusters. BMW have changed hundreds of them before the problem was identified and a change in manufacturing process was implemented.
At one time there were tons for sale on EBay, clearly the faulty ones which had been dumped?????
I would get them changed before your warranty runs out as they are very expensive if you have to pay yourself.

[Mayhem]

Originally Posted by raven333

BMW have changed hundreds of them before the problem was identified and a change in manufacturing process was implemented.
At one time there were tons for sale on EBay, clearly the faulty ones which had been dumped?????
I would get them changed before your warranty runs out as they are very expensive if you have to pay yourself.

When was the problem identified? Mine is a 2012 and it has the defect.

[bigendbob]

This is an ongoing problem which BM should have called back and replaced with better design. Water gets into the unit due to the poor seal on the back.
I had an extended warranty on my 2009 3 year old 2nd hand car which seems to only cover mechanical breakdown. So i removed the units and sealed with silicon without further problem. If they are not sealed moisture gets in and shorts out the leds, result rapid flashing of indicator, which i have experienced.
Have looked at a few Z4, all have some degree of moisture.
Not seen any with cracks.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewto...45803&start=15

[raven333]

Originally Posted by Mayhem

When was the problem identified? Mine is a 2012 and it has the defect.

There is a TIS document which references this problem of the gaskets around the lights. To be candid when I had mine changed last year I had to wait 3 weeks because there was no stock outside of the manufacturing line, I was told they took mine off the line as I mentioned the nearside light had failed.
This was around June 2012 so it must be around this time????

[BMWZ4]

Visited the dealer earlier today. Going back in for a replacement (warranty) on Thursday. Didn't even bat an eyelid...looked at it for less than 5 seconds, and said, yep, we'll replace it. The driver's side is fine, shows no sign of delamination.

Again, thanks for posting. I likely would not have noticed it.

Dave

[z4z4z4]

my car does not have this issue. Thanks for posting.
Probably the aero-heating at 188 mph keeps mine sealed.