Headlight Condensation
Headlight Condensation
I know this has previously been discussed at length, but I suspect my situation may be more specific. The other day, after some rain, I noticed condensation inside the driver's-side headlight assembly. I recall when replacing the eyelid bulbs knocking a small yellow thing off of the back of the headlight. I covered the hole with electrical tape. What was this and could this be the reason?
If so, what is it called so that I can order a replacement? Would prefer not to deal with the dealer and a TSB kit.
If so, what is it called so that I can order a replacement? Would prefer not to deal with the dealer and a TSB kit.
Re: Headlight Condensation
This subject has been widely covered with methods for cleaning inside dirty lenses discussed in detail.(thanx maxcichon) What about preventing a re occurance of the misting problem? Im sure there must be owners who are still experiencing this problem with the misting coming and going.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MOFN, AL, 70 miles from George
Age: 66
Posts: 8,017
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Re: Headlight Condensation
There is a $25 kit that includes caps with permeable membranes. Allows the cases to breathe.
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Age: 66
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central South Carolina
Age: 69
Posts: 5,836
Received 368 Likes
on
320 Posts
Re: Headlight Condensation
Anything that can almost totally 'seal' the assembly from moisture, then before installing them (in the sun facing them towards it), use a hair drier on low & aim the thing into one of the opened lamp covers until you get everything inside very warm. Then, while it is still very warm inside the lamp assembly (you might need an extra hand or two), cover/seal the openings. Do that to the other one and you should be OK.
Thats about the only suggestion I have short of finding a 'kit' somewhere. I am guessing you already made sure those rubber 'vent covers' are intact, with that little foam piece inside them (and you have the rubber covers behind the lamps installed afterwards)? Good luck!
.
The following users liked this post:
CaughtInaXF (01-01-2024)
Re: Headlight Condensation
[QUOTE=GraphiteGhost;969361] Anything that can almost totally 'seal' the assembly from moisture, then before installing them (in the sun facing them towards it), use a hair drier on low & aim the thing into one of the opened lamp covers until you get everything inside very warm. Then, while it is still very warm inside the lamp assembly (you might need an extra hand or two), cover/seal the openings. Do that to the other one and you should be OK.
Thats about the only suggestion I have short of finding a 'kit' somewhere. I am guessing you already made sure those rubber 'vent covers' are intact, with that little foam piece inside them (and you have the rubber covers behind the lamps installed afterwards)? Good luck!
my local dealers response
Here’s how my search was going 🙄]
Thats about the only suggestion I have short of finding a 'kit' somewhere. I am guessing you already made sure those rubber 'vent covers' are intact, with that little foam piece inside them (and you have the rubber covers behind the lamps installed afterwards)? Good luck!
my local dealers response
Here’s how my search was going 🙄]
Re: Headlight Condensation
[QUOTE=richb55;969365]
Most of the parts that are Crossfire specific are discontinued/NLA for more than 4 or 5 years now.
Anything that can almost totally 'seal' the assembly from moisture, then before installing them (in the sun facing them towards it), use a hair drier on low & aim the thing into one of the opened lamp covers until you get everything inside very warm. Then, while it is still very warm inside the lamp assembly (you might need an extra hand or two), cover/seal the openings. Do that to the other one and you should be OK.
Thats about the only suggestion I have short of finding a 'kit' somewhere. I am guessing you already made sure those rubber 'vent covers' are intact, with that little foam piece inside them (and you have the rubber covers behind the lamps installed afterwards)? Good luck!
my local dealers response
Here’s how my search was going 🙄]
Thats about the only suggestion I have short of finding a 'kit' somewhere. I am guessing you already made sure those rubber 'vent covers' are intact, with that little foam piece inside them (and you have the rubber covers behind the lamps installed afterwards)? Good luck!
my local dealers response
Here’s how my search was going 🙄]
Re: Headlight Condensation
[QUOTE=richb55;969369]Mercedes has basically been done with Chrysler since 2008 or so. They don't have any similar kits for headlights that I have ever seen. Maybe another auto maker that uses Valeo to make their headlights but that is unlikely.
Re: Headlight Condensation
[QUOTE=Ronman;969374]
I guess this is where my “special set of skills”
Will be required 😎
Will be required 😎
The following users liked this post:
CaughtInaXF (01-01-2024)
Re: Headlight Condensation
Below is a photo of the kit that Chrysler sold to rid the headlights of the condensation problem. It shows the parts for one headlight, the new cover and the two caps that completely covered the holes where the 'T' shaped breathers fitted originally. There was two of these kits required, I am not sure if they came in a single kit or if two kits were required. I never really had the problem but I fitted the kit anyway. You can see the rectangular insert that prevents the ingress of water and provides an outlet for water vapour.
I have an idea that a square could be cut in two of the covers, one for both sides, and a piece of Gore-Tex or a similar material glued over these holes with the rainproof side on the outside and the breathable surface inside. Or is there some other material that would be better?
The two 'T' shaped fittings being replaced with rubber plugs like those shown in the kit above.
The idea being that water would not get through the Gore-Tex and water vapour could escape through from the inside. Obviously the air inside the headlight unit would expand when heated by the bulbs driving air out, my question on this is would the air escape fast enough to avoid blowing the cover of and let air pass back into the headlight when it cools down.
Some headlights in the past have had leaks in the sealant allowing water to get into the headlight, I saw one headlight at the Dragon in 2010 with enough water in it to keep a goldfish alive, it must have had a bad leak somewhere.
I have an idea that a square could be cut in two of the covers, one for both sides, and a piece of Gore-Tex or a similar material glued over these holes with the rainproof side on the outside and the breathable surface inside. Or is there some other material that would be better?
The two 'T' shaped fittings being replaced with rubber plugs like those shown in the kit above.
The idea being that water would not get through the Gore-Tex and water vapour could escape through from the inside. Obviously the air inside the headlight unit would expand when heated by the bulbs driving air out, my question on this is would the air escape fast enough to avoid blowing the cover of and let air pass back into the headlight when it cools down.
Some headlights in the past have had leaks in the sealant allowing water to get into the headlight, I saw one headlight at the Dragon in 2010 with enough water in it to keep a goldfish alive, it must have had a bad leak somewhere.
Re: Headlight Condensation
[QUOTE=onehundred80;969382]Below is a photo of the kit that Chrysler sold to rid the headlights of the condensation problem. It shows the parts for one headlight, the new cover and the two caps that completely covered the holes where the 'T' shaped breathers fitted originally. There was two of these kits required, I am not sure if they came in a single kit or if two kits were required. I never really had the problem but I fitted the kit anyway. You can see the rectangular insert that prevents the ingress of water and provides an outlet for water vapour.
I have an idea that a square could be cut in two of the covers, one for both sides, and a piece of Gore-Tex or a similar material glued over these holes with the rainproof side on the outside and the breathable surface inside. Or is there some other material that would be better?
The two 'T' shaped fittings being replaced with rubber plugs like those shown in the kit above.
The idea being that water would not get through the Gore-Tex and water vapour could escape through from the inside. Obviously the air inside the headlight unit would expand when heated by the bulbs driving air out, my question on this is would the air escape fast enough to avoid blowing the cover of and let air pass back into the headlight when it cools down.
Some headlights in the past have had leaks in the sealant allowing water to get into the headlight, I saw one headlight at the Dragon in 2010 with enough water in it to keep a goldfish alive, it must have had a bad leak somewhere.[/QUOTE
that sounds like it could work , I’ll try and locate
some gortex fabric , plugs should be easy enough to locate 👍
many thanks 😉
I have an idea that a square could be cut in two of the covers, one for both sides, and a piece of Gore-Tex or a similar material glued over these holes with the rainproof side on the outside and the breathable surface inside. Or is there some other material that would be better?
The two 'T' shaped fittings being replaced with rubber plugs like those shown in the kit above.
The idea being that water would not get through the Gore-Tex and water vapour could escape through from the inside. Obviously the air inside the headlight unit would expand when heated by the bulbs driving air out, my question on this is would the air escape fast enough to avoid blowing the cover of and let air pass back into the headlight when it cools down.
Some headlights in the past have had leaks in the sealant allowing water to get into the headlight, I saw one headlight at the Dragon in 2010 with enough water in it to keep a goldfish alive, it must have had a bad leak somewhere.[/QUOTE
that sounds like it could work , I’ll try and locate
some gortex fabric , plugs should be easy enough to locate 👍
many thanks 😉
The following users liked this post:
nemiro (06-26-2022)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Franc Rauscher
Troubleshooting & Technical Questions & Modifications
14
05-09-2016 12:04 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)