tls foglight fixes

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Old 01-23-2005 | 05:20 PM
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Question tls foglight fixes

My 2003tls has 2 cracked lenses. the stealer wants $200.00 a pop. Where can i get them fixed with something other than glass. its just assnine to use glass for them. designer should be flogged. Seems to me i remember one of our members repairing them. Also where can i get the bulbs @ a good price. lastley is it easy to uninstall & install the foglight units. thanks dudes.
Old 01-23-2005 | 05:29 PM
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i think it was [mod edit] who was selling Lexan replacement lenses..
Old 01-23-2005 | 05:32 PM
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You can find some on eBay.

You have to tear apart the entire housing to take out the broken glass and replace it. Then seal it back up. Not the most fun project.
Old 01-23-2005 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by big mike 13
i think it was [mod edit] who was selling Lexan replacement lenses..
any idea how much he charges to repair them?
Old 01-23-2005 | 08:15 PM
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I have replaced the lenses earlier last fall with lexan and found the process quite painless. You have to remove the broken glass and use silicone to seal the lense to the housing. You just have to make sure that you let the sealer dry before you put them back into the car. I have not had any trouble or moisture problems.

I have a friend who owns his own plastic shop and he already had a pattern for the foglights and made me up a pair.
Old 01-23-2005 | 10:55 PM
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I have had two in the last 3 months smashed, once when the car was sitting on a street outside a bar (someone kicked it) and than one by a rock. Replacements were $160 a piece through www.acuraautomotiveparts.org

To prevent rocks in the future you could use this stuff www.xpel.com
Old 01-24-2005 | 01:44 AM
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ill give you them 220$ shipped for both. brand new.
Old 01-24-2005 | 06:06 AM
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If you don't need your broken ones, give me a price shipped to 11236. I want to use them for something.
Old 01-24-2005 | 09:09 AM
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I'm interested in getting some new or used fog housings.... PM and let me know... it will be shipped to 76039.
Old 01-24-2005 | 07:45 PM
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anyone know how much [mod edit] charges to do his magic?
Old 01-24-2005 | 08:10 PM
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here's his latest listing for our cars...send him a question and ask if he'll do it for you. i ordered mine from him, but haven't put them on, waiting for the temp to get a little warmer first. it does look to be rather painless from the instructions he sent.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW
Old 01-26-2005 | 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by IndyTypeS
here's his latest listing for our cars...send him a question and ask if he'll do it for you. i ordered mine from him, but haven't put them on, waiting for the temp to get a little warmer first. it does look to be rather painless from the instructions he sent.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW
thanks indy, now i know where to find him. Anyone change out the lenses? Is it a piece of cake?
Old 01-26-2005 | 01:43 AM
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Originally Posted by seattle dale
thanks indy, now i know where to find him. Anyone change out the lenses? Is it a piece of cake?

Too bad I did my own lenses BEFORE [mod edit] started to sell / make these lenses.

Changing them is cake...cutting them on the other hand is a b*tch. I personally did mine by a Dremel and let me tell you I wouldn't waste my time doing it again. If you're a professional and make $$$...just buy his and do it right ONCE and get it over with. Fooling around and making mistakes will only cost you more time & money than the $50 he's charging.

Also...if you only have 1 broken light...grab a hammer and smash the other one. If you are going take the time to replace one, you might as well spend a little more and do them both and never replace either ever again. Just make sure you are wearing heavy duty gloves when you do.

One other small detail. I'm not sure about the specific lense [mod edit] is selling, but over time the lenses *MAY* warp. You will not be able to see it , but if you run your fingers along the area where the bulb is the closest, you'll see that the lense itself isn't as straight & smooth as it used to.

FYI...I have a 2002 TLS and I replaced mine roughly 1 year after purchasing it. By now I can be confident that if I DO NOT install a higher watt bulb, that the "warpage" of the lense has stabilized.
Old 01-26-2005 | 01:52 AM
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when you change the lens edgalang, do you remove the whole foglight to do it, or can you do it in place?
Old 01-26-2005 | 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted by seattle dale
when you change the lens edgalang, do you remove the whole foglight to do it, or can you do it in place?
I have NEVER heard of anyone doing it place. It'll be VERY inconvenient/nearly impossible for you to do (if you want a proper install) since...

You have to remove the chrome lining...clean up all the dried goo...and most importantly...use massive rubber bands to keep the lens bent & in place while the new glue dries.


FYI...removing it is NOT an issue. If you feel around the botom of your bumper, you'll see a small square shaped hole that you can stick a socketed wrench through and remove the ENTIRE foglight housing with 1 BOLT.

EDIT:
Reason why you want to have a water tight seal is to PROTECT the bulb inside.
Once you get the bulb wet (with even 1 drop) you'll start deforming the bulb lens and it's downhill from there. (yes...this happened to me too)
Old 01-26-2005 | 02:36 AM
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thanks for the info edgalang. points for you. Guess its time to hit up [mod edit]. One other thing, wheres the best place to get new fog bulbs, if possible would like to get some with the blue tint......thanks again dude
Old 01-26-2005 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by seattle dale
thanks for the info edgalang. points for you. Guess its time to hit up [mod edit]. One other thing, wheres the best place to get new fog bulbs, if possible would like to get some with the blue tint......thanks again dude

After going through MANY aftermarket bulbs of color & wattage, I no longer suggest getting any other bulb but stock. Sorry.
Old 01-26-2005 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by edgalang
After going through MANY aftermarket bulbs of color & wattage, I no longer suggest getting any other bulb but stock. Sorry.


SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo true. I've given up the headache and went back to stocks for a few months then put HIDs. Either one is perfectly fine BUT HIDs arent cheap. Even those expensive halogen bulbs $80 you would think would last but they dont.
Old 01-26-2005 | 05:58 PM
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man, after hearing these stories, i am really glad that i dont have to deal with this particular problem on my '00. 1 less problem to worry about (and spend money on fixing)
Old 01-26-2005 | 07:43 PM
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My driver side foglight got a rock through it a few weeks ago. I just got the new one and hope to put it in this weekend. How difficult is it, do I need to jack the car up and do I need any special tools? Thanks. If someone knows where I can find an install guide or step by step photos, that'd be extra helpful (I tried to do a search and wasn't able to find anything).
Old 01-26-2005 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by fiveoh-tl
My driver side foglight got a rock through it a few weeks ago. I just got the new one and hope to put it in this weekend. How difficult is it, do I need to jack the car up and do I need any special tools? Thanks. If someone knows where I can find an install guide or step by step photos, that'd be extra helpful (I tried to do a search and wasn't able to find anything).

Contact this guy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

He will help you with EVERYTHING.
Old 01-26-2005 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by edgalang
I have NEVER heard of anyone doing it place. It'll be VERY inconvenient/nearly impossible for you to do (if you want a proper install) since...

You have to remove the chrome lining...clean up all the dried goo...and most importantly...use massive rubber bands to keep the lens bent & in place while the new glue dries.


FYI...removing it is NOT an issue. If you feel around the botom of your bumper, you'll see a small square shaped hole that you can stick a socketed wrench through and remove the ENTIRE foglight housing with 1 BOLT.

EDIT:
Reason why you want to have a water tight seal is to PROTECT the bulb inside.
Once you get the bulb wet (with even 1 drop) you'll start deforming the bulb lens and it's downhill from there. (yes...this happened to me too)
I have done mine four or five times already...and each time I get some very light misting on the inside corners of the foglamp housing (when I say "inside", I am not referencing the interior of the unit, though that is also true...I am referring to the sides of the housing closest to the center of the car)...

Finally, I did it one final time... I used plenty of silicone... And I used clips to hold the lexan in place to ensure contact on all sides (especially in light of the slight bend that you also mentioned)... After all said and done... I still have the slight misting on the inside corners...of both housings!

I have washed my car several times, and sprayed pressured water at the fog lamps with zero leaks into the housing...

The only time this "misting" happens is when I turn the foglamps on... I do notice that the inside corners are the coolest temperature wise... The misting happens whether it is dry or wet out...

I wonder if I have bad gasket seal around the bulb...

Anyway, my solution is that I don't use the foglamps... I never really did anyway... And since they don't leak from a pressure wash or rain, I am okay I suppose... <sigh>...

If anyone has any other ideas, let me know...but for now, I am happy with it the way it is...
Old 01-26-2005 | 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeekiM
I have done mine four or five times already...and each time I get some very light misting on the inside corners of the foglamp housing (when I say "inside", I am not referencing the interior of the unit, though that is also true...I am referring to the sides of the housing closest to the center of the car)...


As long as you don't have an HID system, then I wouldnt worry about it too much. If a bulb burns out because of TOO much mist, buy another one for $7.

Right now, this is mainly a problem for HID fog users.
Old 01-26-2005 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by edgalang
As long as you don't have an HID system, then I wouldnt worry about it too much. If a bulb burns out because of TOO much mist, buy another one for $7.

Right now, this is mainly a problem for HID fog users.
True... I just don't like seeing it... Stresses me out...

Sometimes I wonder if it is just moisture trapped in there, and that if I leave my lights on long enough, it will burn off... Problem is, I do mostly city driving, so I have not had the long drive to test out that theory...

I am pretty confident that I got a good seal around the Lexan... And it's weird that if I did a reasonable job that BOTH housings are exhibiting the "misting"...

I'm a stressball...what can I say...
Old 01-26-2005 | 10:16 PM
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With HIDs it is also less heat so wont mist as much if at all.
Old 01-27-2005 | 03:02 PM
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Will the colour of the left and right foglights be different if I only replace one broken side with the plastic len.
Old 01-27-2005 | 03:13 PM
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I can only guess... But the lexan lense is pretty darn clear... I would think that there would be no noticeable color difference...
Old 02-01-2005 | 11:12 PM
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I bought a pair of precision milled Lexan lens on ebay for about $45. They fit great. Send a note to [mod edit] for info.
Old 02-01-2005 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeekiM
True... I just don't like seeing it... Stresses me out...

Sometimes I wonder if it is just moisture trapped in there, and that if I leave my lights on long enough, it will burn off... Problem is, I do mostly city driving, so I have not had the long drive to test out that theory...

I am pretty confident that I got a good seal around the Lexan... And it's weird that if I did a reasonable job that BOTH housings are exhibiting the "misting"...

I'm a stressball...what can I say...
Here's an update...

Good news... My theory was right (at least I think so)...

I took an hour long drive with my foglights on the whole way... When I arrived at my destination...no misting... I think I was able to burn off any trapped moisture, and I should have no problems in the future (at least that is what I am convincing myself of...wishful thinking!)...

I will let you all know if the misting comes back... But I am pretty jazzed that my problem may be resolved!
Old 10-16-2005 | 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by MikeekiM
Here's an update...

Good news... My theory was right (at least I think so)...

I took an hour long drive with my foglights on the whole way... When I arrived at my destination...no misting... I think I was able to burn off any trapped moisture, and I should have no problems in the future (at least that is what I am convincing myself of...wishful thinking!)...

I will let you all know if the misting comes back... But I am pretty jazzed that my problem may be resolved!
sorry to bring this from death, I too bought a set of lexan thru ebay.

the problem is I don't seem to be able to get the metal trim back on, I'm suspecting the lexan I got was too thick, can somebody shed a light on this for me??

Please.
thanks in advance
Old 10-16-2005 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by NSXDreamer
sorry to bring this from death, I too bought a set of lexan thru ebay.

the problem is I don't seem to be able to get the metal trim back on, I'm suspecting the lexan I got was too thick, can somebody shed a light on this for me??

Please.
thanks in advance
i too had a little trouble getting the metal trim back on, on one of my fogs. what i think happens is the silicon adds a little extra width. What i did was put a towel on the lens side to protect it & "LIGHTLY" used a c-clamp to press together until i could engage the metal clips. good luck.
Old 10-16-2005 | 04:58 PM
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i made my own replacements. had them for like 8 months no problems. i got some extra blanks you got to shape if your interested.
Old 10-16-2005 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by agee74
I bought a pair of precision milled Lexan lens on ebay for about $45. They fit great. Send a note to [mod edit] for info.

I got those, they look nice but i had black residue in the foglight and that didnt fix that. I personally think that foglights should be plastic just like headlights since they also get alot of rocks.

A couple months after my Lexan replacement i hit a deer with the front right of the car. Insurance paid for a new hood, bumper, one HID and one replaced foglight. i was happy that they replaced the foglight with the real thing because for me to do that on my own would have been way more costly.
Old 10-21-2005 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy88
I got those, they look nice but i had black residue in the foglight and that didnt fix that. I personally think that foglights should be plastic just like headlights since they also get alot of rocks.

A couple months after my Lexan replacement i hit a deer with the front right of the car. Insurance paid for a new hood, bumper, one HID and one replaced foglight. i was happy that they replaced the foglight with the real thing because for me to do that on my own would have been way more costly.
so does anyone have the original DIY? I guess the C clamp is the tool I need so the metal fram could be put back in??

Does anyone have the original DIY process? couldn't find it in the search. thanks in advance.
Old 10-21-2005 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by NSXDreamer
so does anyone have the original DIY? I guess the C clamp is the tool I need so the metal fram could be put back in??

Does anyone have the original DIY process? couldn't find it in the search. thanks in advance.
I put the metal frame back in hundred of times without using that c-clamp. The most I did was use a screw driver to lightly to pop the clips.
Old 10-21-2005 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Bxscig
I put the metal frame back in hundred of times without using that c-clamp. The most I did was use a screw driver to lightly to pop the clips.

If that's the case, would you mind letting me know if the plexi lens supposed to sit flush with the sealant area, the pieces I got seems to be not getting cut right and it won't sit flush.

If it's not, then maybe the lens was too thick??

Please let me know. I start hating myself for purchasing something off ebay before I check with you guys here.
Old 10-21-2005 | 05:53 PM
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Have you even tried contacting him first, because he's usually very receptive and exceptional with cust. service unlike other ebayers
Old 10-21-2005 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by big mike 13
Have you even tried contacting him first, because he's usually very receptive and exceptional with cust. service unlike other ebayers
I'm getting it from a guy named Ryan, so I think the one I got was the other ebayer
Old 01-13-2006 | 10:10 AM
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Who has the installation instructions for this mod???

I can't find the EBAY dude.
Old 01-27-2006 | 06:42 AM
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Anyone? Where are the install instructions?


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