Over the past few weeks, I had decided that I must have moisture inside of my headlight covers (a coupe of TSBs exist identifying this problem) - the haze didn't seem to wash off and just seemed to be getting worse. When I wet the headlight lenses, the haze would briefly disappear and - yes - that would seem to indicate that the problem was on the exterior of the light assembly. Nonetheless, boy genius persisted in his belief that it was moisture inside of the lens and was trying to figure out how to get the thing into the dealer (dreaded to do it as I'm always afraid problems will be worse after a trip into people who don't care as much about my cars as I do). Anyway, I absentmindedly started rubbing on a corner of the lens with a wet finger and - lo-and-behold! - the haze was gone!?! ...And stayed gone the entire day! Because of this, I got my bottle of 3M Plastic Cleaner (#39017) and proceeded to clean the headlight lenses. The result? ...absolutely clear, clean and pristine lenses!!!...and they've been that way for several days now, in spite of rain, heat and sunlight!

Bottom line? Before trotting off to the dealer for repair of this problem under a TSB, try polishing the headlight lenses with an appropriate plastic polish (3M's products have been great - I also use gallons of their Perfect-It Gloss Enhancer #39034 which is the best detail spray I've used to date).

 

Glad to hear things turned out all right. Now you just need to find out what caused it in the first place. My car is two years old and the headlights still look like new.

 

I haven't a clue?! I have seen several other cars in the area and almost all have a little fog or haze to the upper aspect of the headlight lens. Global warming or acid rain or exposure to WMDs - don't know...

 

Mine has the same thing on the drivers side, thanks for the tip!

Pat

 

Both of mine have started doing this too. I also have the back of my headliner (lift the hatch and look above the seats) separating. The leather shift boot has holes where it rubs, when I shift. The rubber/painted stuff is coming off the center console beside the seat. This is not a quality built car, as I once thought it was. It might be hand built in Germany where they used to build the SLK's but they're skimping on material. There's a lot of things going wrong like the stereo. I've already replaced one because the 8 preset won't work, unless you jam it and the CD player has messed up several times on both stereos. The 6m tranny has a lot of issues in the quality department.

I see why they only use the 5A in the SRT6 and the upcoming, if they build it and stop teasing us, Firepower. That would be a really nice ride that I'd buy with out hesitation.

 

I only have a bit of haze on the driver side lense cover. Went over it last night with some Invisible Glass (Can't find the 3M stuff) and then with my Zaino Z6 and it seemed to do the trick, no more haze. So it must be something on the lense cover as opposed to condensation under the cover.

Pat

 

I believe the haze you see on the upper part of the headlight covers is from ultraviolet rays. The sun hits the top at a stronger angle causing the haze. I was able to polish my haze out with some liquid wax...

 

i noticed the same thing this weekend and then i remembered reading this thread. it was more noticeable on the driver's side lens. on the top surfaces receiving most direct sunlight. used a little nu finish car polish to get rid of the haze.

 

Posted this elsewhere, Thank you but I did manage to find the 3M stuff and it did do the trick. It does not appear to be moisture but a film on the outside of the glass. I've only had to use the 3M stuff once and the $8 that cost is worth its weight in gold. I'd rather try that then take it to a dealer and have them "try" to fix it, dealer's scare me on something like this, especially after reading the posts where people have taken their cars in and the problem still persists.

Pat

 

I haven't had my '04 very long but did a nice wash on it yesterday. I looked real close at the drivers headlight lense as I noticed that it was scuffed or hazed at the top. After looking around the whole assembly and near the fender and hood, it looks like someone at one time let the buffer run across the top and marred the lense surface (I found the white powder residue in between the lense and hood in a couple of cracks).

Can this be polished out? Or do I need to replace the lense?

 

wow i have a new '05 w/ 660 miles on it now... they looked like
that from day 1 when i say the car, had a purple haze on the outside
when i wash the car it is clear then goes back to a haze / fog
the dealer states they try cleaning them first before ordering new HL covers.

will the factory warranty cover this, one dealer told me no
and it is an all day job.

what is involved in replacing the covers, do you have to take the front end off?

 

You can usually find 3M products at a boating supply store if nowhere else.

They have a cleaner for the plastic windows on boat canvas...isinglass cleaner and polish.

Many other brands for that particular application as well.

 

The entire headlamp has to be replaced, this is why the service managers always say they won't replace them under warrantee, but keep hassling them and they will take care of the new lamps for free. They did mine for free under warrantee.

I don't recommend putting film over the lamp as it might cause micro cracking due to heat build up on the headlamp, at least thats what happened to me. I just carefully clean them with a special lexan protectant.

 

I mentioned this elsewhere. The fix for your problem is a Porter Cable buffer and some 3M Plastic polish. Mine had the same issue and it (etching and haze) took all of ten minutes to fix. You can then use your Porter Cable to wax and polish your car.

Pat

 

what is involved in replacing the covers?

are they easy 2 hr job 1 hr ect...do clips hold them on ect
one dealer told me you have to take the front end off?

 

Huudoo

My SRT had the same thing - under 1K miles, in-service date 2/07

Dealer wrote it up as de-lamination and installed 2 new headlight assemblies

Cost = $0.00 Even got a Chrysler 300 for the day.

Don't take no for an answer - it's a defective batch from the manufacturer and Chrysler knows this. Tell them to take pictures and email them to their area service rep. Worked for me!!

 

The problem Brian is I've even seen the replacements etch.

Pat

 

well i polished / waxed my covers with color back. lol.
works for now ... i think the dealer is going to order
new headlamps.

 

ok the Dealer ordered headlights and replaced them , about 2 hrs
they remove the inner finder plastic cover drop the headlights down in front of the front wheel to replace them ..

 

I have the same problem with my left front. Meguiar's makes a product called Plastic X. I think I will give it a try. As it is becoming very noticable.