I have a '03 tl-s with about 54k. I am having a moisture problem with my drivers side headlight assembly. Some weeks ago i noticed alot of moisture on the inside of the lens. Several times during warm days or driving with headlights on most of the moisture would dry out, ok normal if the seal is leaking or their is a crack, but the next day or few hours later their would be a ton of moisture again on the inside of lens. The other lens has in the past had this problem but on a much much smaller scale. There wouldn't be as much moisture and it would evapirate over a short period of time and it doesn't happen that often, no big deal typical of many headlight ass. The drivers side is cronic.

I took it to the dealer and they just wanted to blow it off as a leaky seal and replace the assembly which isn't covered under warranty, "the seal is considered a wear-and-tear item", but they will replace a $4,000 trans 5 times but not a $200 headlight assembly once, thats common sense for ya.

Where is all this moisture coming from? What can I do to rectifiy this problem?

Oh, one other thing there isn't any water puddling in the assembly at all just a large amount of moisture on the inside of the lens. I did drill a tiny hole in the bottom of the assembly and when the moisture drips down it does drip out of the hole but its not fixing the problem at all.

Replacing a $200 assembly is an expensive trial. It may not fix it.

The headlight assembly hasn't been hit and there isn't any visible damage.

Thanks to any and all that can help.

M-

 

I wouldn't complain if they took care of you for the transmission. You want to take care of the condensation as soon as possible before it damages your ballasts and other things. Take the headlight out, blow dry it, seal all the gaps with sillicone, make sure the rear circular rubber seal is still good and tight.

 

that extra drain hole is killing you!!
moisture is bad news on bulbs, and the moisture leaks down onto the ballst and fries it.
Thats why the suggestion to silicone seal all the little openings for wires and such

 

Well a few hours after i posted this i fried the ballast! What a poor poor design. The ballast is sealed from the outside world but if the assembly gets a leak, bye bye ballast.

I think I'm in the wrong business. Dealer wanted 2 hours at $120 per to remove the bumper to remove the assembly and replace it. I had it out of the car in 45 min tops and didn't remove the bumper. If i would've had access to my car hoist, 30 min easy. Just shows how they take advantage of some.

Thanks much for those with the advise. Any thoughts on where i could get my hands on a ballast without getting it from a dealer? Any tips on separting the assembly would be great!

 

try here on th eBlack Market Private SAles--Off Topic link
or the local junkyard- auto recycler

 

Read my new finding on headlight condensation. If you have a big leak, it will instantly kill your ballast, the ballast hole is wide open right where the water leaks in.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180359

 

How'd you do it without taking off the bumper?

 

i had that same problem earlier this year. bought a used ballast, and that one went out after a month. had to buy all new. but now I know it is fixed.