Headlight condensation....

Jngrbrdman · 11-19-03, 06:38

I just noticed that my driver side headlights have some condensation in them. I've never had condensation in my headlights. I haven't taken out the bulbs for a long time and I just don't understand how water could have gotten in there.... I'll have to find the problem and fix it.

My question is how do I get the condensation out? If I just unplugged the bulbs and used a hair dryer, could I get the condensation out that way? Please help.

edit: This is what my headlights look like. I don't have any in the passenger side but my right inside lens is pretty bad and the outside low beam has some too. I don't know why...

explorer · 11-19-03, 07:05

I do not know why, but once you find out why you have solved two problems, yours and mine

see I have the samething on my Explorer, just never gave it any tough

As for a solution, maybe the heat generated from the bulb when on will get the condensation out , it works for me

Dinzdale40 · 11-19-03, 07:19

maybe the grey rtv silicone that seals the headlights has worn out. I've had mine apart before to paint the housings and resealed them with the grey rtv silicone, no probs since.

4DSC · 11-20-03, 12:21

I haven't had to do this yet Anthony, but yeah you can just use a hair dryer and evaporate all the moisture out of there.

Like Dinzdale40 said, you may have to remove the housings from the car and reseal them all around (or at the hole if you can find it) with some caulking. Also check the seal on the lightbulb, but usually the water comes from the exterior side, where the seals usually are closer to.

AndyC · 11-20-03, 03:47

I had the same problem with my 1999 Accord. Both headlights misted up badly and the dealer found that the seals had failed and replaced them under warranty. Heat from the lights did dry them out though.

Guess My Name · 11-20-03, 08:33

Remove headlight....bring inside house......let sit for hours...until moisture is removed.....can use hair dryer but PIA....

this can happen when you have lights on on rainy night and it gets hot inside housing...then you get home and turn lights off...as they cool it sucks in outside air......which is humid....

Most Light housings have breathers.....cause when they are on they get hot and the air wants out........

good luck

gnahc79 · 11-20-03, 09:28

the moisture inside will shorten the lifespan of your bulbs considerably. IMO the seals are going bad.
If you can't get it fixed under warranty, you can remove the headlight assembly and put some RTV silicone around the seal area. Make sure the area is clean and let it dry overnight. Not in the house though, those fumes aren't too pleasant.

Jngrbrdman · 11-20-03, 09:52

Yeah... I doubt there is any warranty left after 60,000 miles and 5 years later.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see what I can do. Its been parked outside lately because I don't want Jennifer to have to scrape her windows out in the cold. I guess it just hasn't ever spent enough time outside for me to notice this kind of a problem. The funny thing is that its in the high beam housing. I never have my high beams on.... The low beam housings are fine pretty much. Its just weird. I'll check the seals.

Spilchy · 11-20-03, 10:11

If you use a hair drier then you are doing symptom managament instead of performing a root cause analysis (ah, that's the project manager in me!) The condensation will just return instead of finding out why it is doing it and correcting it.

You know what I did on my beater Saab? I pulled the lense out (there was 1 inch of water!) and then I took a tiny drill bit and drilled two tiny holes on the bottom, underneath portion of the lense that is not exposed. It allowed the water to drain and air to circulate to dry it out.

After that, I never had any condensation, water buildup or leaking in (since holes were underneath). I guess because the air was always able to circulate, keeping it dry.

However, I doubt you want to drill holes in your Integra!

But, it worked for me!

Jngrbrdman · 11-20-03, 12:45

Actually I've had that same advice from Integra owners who have experienced this problem themselves. I'm concerned as to how the water got in there, but I think drilling the holes might be a good solution.

PanaPower · 11-21-03, 02:57

nah... you dont have to drill a hole. just take your bulbs out and put a hair dryer in there. that's easier than drilling a hole in the headlamp. Trust me.... i use the hair dryer caue with 100% humidity all year long condesation in the headlamps is just the norm for me.

Jngrbrdman · 11-22-03, 02:48

Problem fixed. I didn't lock the bulb in when I changed it last. It was a little bit loose and that's how the condensation got in there I'll bet. I took out the bulb and held a hair dryer to the front of the lens for 3 or 4 minutes and it all went away.

Thanks for the help guys. I apprecaite it.