Headlight disassembly

[stebbid]

I've recently acquired a '99 C4 with a problem in the headlight housings (standard type not Litronics). The lenses in front of the low beam bulbs are shot, it looks like the PO used uprated bulbs and toasted the lenses. Is it possible to tear down the headlight assembly and replace the lenses or does the whole housing need replacing? Thanks for any help.

ds

[programmatore]

I've recently acquired a '99 C4 with a problem in the headlight housings (standard type not Litronics). The lenses in front of the low beam bulbs are shot, it looks like the PO used uprated bulbs and toasted the lenses. Is it possible to tear down the headlight assembly and replace the lenses or does the whole housing need replacing? Thanks for any help.

ds

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It looks like the assembly is one piece glued together. I don't think you can disassemble it (I could be wrong). Hey, look at it as an excuse to upgrade to Litronics. ;)

[gchu]

If yours is the one with the amber lense. I might have an extra set you could have.

[Tool Pants]

I can take it apart for you - but you will not like the way it looks when I'm done.

[viper501]

The BMW guys bake their lights at 225 (I think??) for about 20 minutes to soften the glue and allow them to separate the halves. Not sure I'd like to do that with a good light though. Probably could find a junked one to experiment on first.

[Costa]

The BMW guys bake their lights at 225 

I hope that figure is not 225 Celsius :D

You may also want to try a hairdryer in a localised spot and start working around the perimeter to soften the adhesive and maybe use a butter knife etc along the seam?

[djantlive]

A heat gun can soften the silicon to pry the housing apart. I doubt if it's worth the effort since you can't find a new lense alone anyways.

You can easily get a new housing assembly in halogen for $50-75 a set from eBay. If you plan on keeping the car for a while, upgrade to Litronics and you'll see a difference.

[stebbid]

Thanks for the help folks. I scored a replacement set off ebay for short money after deciding the current set were beyond repair. I was looking at going the Litronics route, basically because i fell in love with HID on my Mini, but having just bought my C4 I convinced myself to wait at least a few months before laying out that much cash for the headlights. Thanks again.

ds

[Tool Pants]

Well then put one in the oven and see if you can separate the clear plastic top from the black plastic base. I pried one apart without heat but I broke everything. There is a rubber weatherstrip and some type of adhesive that holds them together.

[hkchunglee]

I just want to open it to clean the lense. Can cleaning be done with out opening the case?

[Ddk912]

I’m in the same boat 18yrs after this was originally posted. Exact same issue. Has anyone improved on the solution?