Okay I noticed a LOT of condensation inside my headlight casing yesterday...it's still there today. I haven't cleared my headlights or anything, just replaced the highbeams...I heard that having condensation inside the headlight casing is a bad thing because of the obvious issue of the HID's blowing. Is this normal or should I take it in? Anyone?

Austin519

 

it could have been the high beam mod...maybe the socket is the source of the leak.

 

StanMan:
you think that may be it? I didn't do anything funky with the lights...they were a simple screw in-replace thing...but if that's the cause...how do I fix it? Thanks.

Austin159

 

The weather that you changed the highbeams in could be the culprit here. When the lights were originally installed on the car and the casing sealed, the air was probably drier than when you opened it up to put the highbeams in. Therefore, you may have wetter air in there now and when the headlights heat and cool, it leaves residue on the inside of the casing.

If you have an abundance of moisture (ie. condensation droplets and/or dripping) then there must be a leak somewhere.

 

bluelegend:
Same type of condensation you see on a cold morning on your rear windshield...water drops, but not enough for dripping...so I don't really know what to do....hmmm

Austin519

 

Must be the socket then. Are you sure the rubber seal on the bulbs are nice and tight?

But then again, my first idea of getting humidity into the casing could still be correct. Try leaving the bulbs out and put the car in a cold, dry area (if possible) for an hour or so. Then put the bulbs back and see if that doesn't help.

 

not sure...would imgaine it comes down to the fit of the new bulbs.

 

They're the Solaris 9005's...what I may do is go to a gas station and use the air compressor to blow air into the headlights, then close it back up...if that doesn't work then well...I don't really know what to do...

Austin519

 

you can use a hairdryer

 

I have ( had) that problem too!
But only after heavy rain tho...or a very thorough car wash(more than an hour)
I'm thinking there's gotta be leak somewhere...
maybe not sealed right from the factory..
So it might not have to do with the highbeam mod.

 

My headlights have been cleared well over a year ago but just recently been developing condensation. I am going to open it up again this weekend to dry it up and re-seal it really tight.

 

Acutally, there might be a vent on the headlight casing just like there is on the foglight casing. I'm not sure, but if there is one, there might not be anything you can do but just try a quick blow dry to dry things up temporarily.

 

bluelegend:
I'd be surprised if there was a vent on the headlight casing...because if that was the case there'd be no need to reseal the casing tightly...and everyone would experience condensation...

Ruski:
EXTREMELY good idea mate...that will heat the water making it evaporate, and the air will blow it out as well...definitely a good suggestion...I'd just have to make sure to do it in a very dry environment...kudos...I'll do this ASAP.

Austin519

 

If you do this, just make sure you squeeze the nozzle and bleed out some air before you stick the nozzle into the opening in the fixture. The first shot of air from the compressor will usually have some moisture in it. Even if you stop blowing air for only a minute, condensation will build up inside the nozzle. So always bleed first each time you want to blow air. And no, there is no vent anywhere in the headlight fixture.

 

pianoman41:
Think I'm going with the hair dryer idea...but thanks for the info about the vents...and if I ever use the compressor idea then thanks

Austin519

 

I agree take the Highbeams bulbs back out, then use a hairdryer on the headlamp so that they get nice and heated and any water vapor gets a chance to escape through the opening left by removing the High's, then reinstall them, and see what happens. If it recurs, I would do the same thing again, and reinstall the Stock Highs and try again. Maybe these aftermarket bulbs dont seal as well as the OEM, its definitely possible especially since you say both lamps are affected niot just one and thsi all occured after changing the High's.

Whatever yo do dont allow excessive condensation to build up which coudl stain the inside of the housing or if its enough to drip, blow an HID bulb.

 

Mr Hyde:
Very much appreciated...I'm going to do just that this weekend (have to get an extension cord)...and I'll tell you guys about it...

Austin519