Headlights exposed wires be aware of this

[AK72]

Hello guys
Just want you to be aware of this Issue we have inside of the headlights, it may not affect all of us but my 2007 face lift headlights wires was exposed, scarry. I fix them while I was doing my AE retrofit.

[Our03z4]

My 03 Z4 is the same way.

[wdb]

Those have been overheated. You might want to look for corroded connections. Or maybe you're running high output lighting that requires more amps?

Last fall I replaced all of the bulbs in 2007 Z4MC with 83K miles. The wiring looked fine.

[chickdr]

I have heard this is common with BMW's of our era. The plastics are not designed well which is why we have issues with cracks in areas such as the rear panel by the storage compartment. Plastics are designed to be more environmentally friendly, but are not as durable as they were.

[AK72]

My car from Florida so yes it had exposed to extreme temps, but still its a device that supposedly hold high temps

[pungo]

Originally Posted by wdb

Those have been overheated. You might want to look for corroded connections. Or maybe you're running high output lighting that requires more amps?

Last fall I replaced all of the bulbs in 2007 Z4MC with 83K miles. The wiring looked fine.

I've done many dual AE LED retrofits on Z4 facelifted Xenon headlights and about 30% of them had this same cracking and failing insulation on the wiring. All stock wattage bulbs. AFAIK, there's not an easy way to increase the wattage on these Xenon headlights. Maybe they can counterfeit Chinese bulbs, I didn't pay much attention since I don't remove the bulbs. All connections were good with no corrosion. Maybe there was a batch built with the more environmentally friendly wiring? Mine had no failing insulation, though I have low miles, so maybe the ones with allot of time with the lights on is a factor?



Anyway, I used a few coats of liquid electrical tape to repair them. Generally it is near the Xenon projector area, which gets pretty hot.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by pungo

I've done many dual AE LED retrofits on Z4 facelifted Xenon headlights and about 30% of them had this same cracking and failing insulation on the wiring. All stock wattage bulbs. AFAIK, there's not an easy way to increase the wattage on these Xenon headlights. Maybe they can counterfeit Chinese bulbs, I didn't pay much attention since I don't remove the bulbs. All connections were good with no corrosion. Maybe there was a batch built with the more environmentally friendly wiring? Mine had no failing insulation, though I have low miles, so maybe the ones with allot of time with the lights on is a factor?



Anyway, I used a few coats of liquid electrical tape to repair them. Generally it is near the Xenon projector area, which gets pretty hot.

Thanks, that was... illuminating. Your range of experience definitely adds credence to this being a more general problem and not a one-off.