Hazy headlights

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deacs

Hazy headlights

Post by deacs »

My 83 635csi is due back from bodyshop in next week or so and I then need to start the rebuild. The original headlights from my car seem in reasonable order but look as if they have gone a bit misty/hazy inside the units on the glass. Is there any way I can clean this up?
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dwcains
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Location: Lutz, FL

Post by dwcains »

I've done this a few times, with Hella's, Cinie's, and even a set of uber-$$$ Marchal Amplilux headlights. I filled the kitchen sink with hot water and a bit of liquid dish soap (not the type used in a dishwasher). Put the lights in the water and let them soak for a few minutes, empty the lights and refill/soak, and repeat a few times. Then rinse the light with hot running water a few times, and agitate a few times to rinse out all the soap. Then rinse a few more times with 75% distilled water/25% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol. Finally, shake out as much water as possible and let air dry overnight. I ended up with crystal clear lenses and spot-free reflectors.

Not sure what that white haze comes from, but they all seem to get it, even NOS lights sitting in boxes.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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deacs

Post by deacs »

Excellent, thanks, will give this a try this week
GripGreg
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Location: Long Beach, Ca.

Post by GripGreg »

I received a set of Hella 1 & Hella 4's from Mojocoggo.
Nicely packaged & thanx.

I'm guessing the Hella 1's are low beams, right?

I tried to remove my right side grille; I have four screw to remove.
No problem there but, (always a but) I still couldn't remove the grille.
It's sorta loose and I can't see any other screw .

It seems to be attached at the lower outside corner.
I even removed the headlight backing plate but, didn't find anything holding it on.
All my books don't give me any clues!
I'm not one to force anything so please give me a clue?
Buster is a euro market 635. Build date of 9/81.
The screws are in between the low & high beams, upper & lower.
Thanx in advance,,,,Greg
Hit the apex
in Long Beach, Cal
Buster/'82Euro6 Build Date 9/81
Rosallina/'80 528i Build Date 4/80
baders
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Post by baders »

Greg. You need to remove the side indicator light (blinker) nuts x 2 on the inside.
1986 635csi LOCUTUS / Arktis Blau Metallic / Pearl Beige / S38B36/ Close ratio dogleg 5sp
2002 E46 M3 / Topaz Blau Metallic / Black Nappa / 6 speed SMG software tuned / Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers / CMP RACP reinforcement
GripGreg
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Post by GripGreg »

AHHA! I had the lens off but, didn't find anything!
I'll look a lot closer tomorrow. I'll go deeper?

I just got home from giving my cousin my tennis game,
since my knees keep me from moving more than one step.
She has really progressed since our time together! =D>
Tomorrow she's playing in a 4.0 or 'B' level tourny: a little above her head.
She has graduated to 3.7 so this will be a challenge for her!
She was at a lowly 2.5 when we got together.
I put Buster back together & went to El Segundo for her lesson.
Thanx for the tip,,,,Greg

Ps; Which is the low beam?
Hit the apex
in Long Beach, Cal
Buster/'82Euro6 Build Date 9/81
Rosallina/'80 528i Build Date 4/80
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dwcains
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Post by dwcains »

http://www.malloc.nl/BMW/635CSi/pages/en/63131500.html

If you've got H1 and H4 bulbs, the latter are your high/low outer lights. But, your car may have originally had H1 in all 4 lights, so have a look at the wiring.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
GripGreg
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Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:13 am
Location: Long Beach, Ca.

Post by GripGreg »

Thank you Dean!!
I printed out the diagram & I'll check things out tomorrow.
Big help! =D>
It seems that here again, Buster has an in-between situation.
Greg
Hit the apex
in Long Beach, Cal
Buster/'82Euro6 Build Date 9/81
Rosallina/'80 528i Build Date 4/80
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Super Coop
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Post by Super Coop »

GripGreg wrote:AHHA! I had the lens off but, didn't find anything!
I'll look a lot closer tomorrow. I'll go deeper?

I just got home from giving my cousin my tennis game,
since my knees keep me from moving more than one step.
She has really progressed since our time together! =D>
Tomorrow she's playing in a 4.0 or 'B' level tourny: a little above her head.
She has graduated to 3.7 so this will be a challenge for her!
She was at a lowly 2.5 when we got together.
I put Buster back together & went to El Segundo for her lesson.
Thanx for the tip,,,,Greg

Ps; Which is the low beam?
The nuts are inside the fender, 9 or 10 mm hard to hang on to but if you have a magnet just pick them up after they fall in the fender well :D
SprCpe

1989 635csi # 3268410

Ostatecznym maszyny jazdy BMW
GripGreg
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Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:13 am
Location: Long Beach, Ca.

Post by GripGreg »

Thanx sprcpe.

I guess I'll have to buy a magnetic screwdriver to re-install.
Hit the apex
in Long Beach, Cal
Buster/'82Euro6 Build Date 9/81
Rosallina/'80 528i Build Date 4/80
GripGreg
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Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:13 am
Location: Long Beach, Ca.

Post by GripGreg »

Hey Dudes; will I need a special headlight bucket for the new lights?
I have the regular Sylvania lights for now.
I see someone here just sold some buckets.
Thanx,,,,Greg
Hit the apex
in Long Beach, Cal
Buster/'82Euro6 Build Date 9/81
Rosallina/'80 528i Build Date 4/80
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dwcains
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Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Post by dwcains »

Depends. The Sylvania's are most likely in US buckets, and each bulb has 3 positioning lugs molded into the glass, which fit into corresponding notches in each bucket. If the Hella's are "conversions", you should be good, and I'll guess they are, since you said H4 and H1. If they're OEM Euro Hella's, you might need new buckets. Do you have any pics of the back of the lights?
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
GripGreg
Posts: 2938
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:13 am
Location: Long Beach, Ca.

Post by GripGreg »

Thanx, Dean.
I just looked at one and it has a male plug-in, recessed & angled one way and another one turned ninety degrees & about a half inch above & away about a half inch.
They would create a loose square if there were two more with the same but opposite spacing.

I hope I described it correctly 'cause I don't have a picture.
When I asked about the set-up he said 'plug & play' knowing my car from my signature.
Buster was federalized when coming to the US. I've seen the sticker.
I appreciate your response,,,,Greg
Hit the apex
in Long Beach, Cal
Buster/'82Euro6 Build Date 9/81
Rosallina/'80 528i Build Date 4/80
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dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Post by dwcains »

Which ever lights you have, the wiring is easy. No telling what was done during the import process, as different cars got different things done. On my '85 the only thing done was the gauge cluster, which is great, but I'll probably never find the right replacement to make it original. You really need to pull one of the sealed beams out and look at the bucket. There is a great wiring thread here, in case you've got the city lights in your outer beams:

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=3& ... lit=lights
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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