There is a word that is failing to come to me right now that describes when a glass or plastic surface gets steamed up from moisture, like when it happens to your bathroom mirror when you take a hot shower. If I could remember that word, this post would be one paragraph shorter, but...

When I washed my car today, that happened to one of my headlamps, not completely; just a little and it was on the inside of the headlamp housing.

What can I do about this? Is it possible to find a leak and fix it? Or am I looking at replacing the entire headlamp housing?

 

Condensation!!!! That's the word!

 

Try unplugging the fog light bulb (or if you're in Canada; the DRL bulb) and leaving your car in the sun all day.

If nothing works, you should open up your headlights and mod them while you're at it and seal them back up.

 

this usually doesnt happen unless something was done to your headlights. either they were opened before and sealed incorrectly, or the bulbs are not seated correctly.

 

The headlight in question was damaged and replaced before I owned the car. Will this condensation cause larger problems? Burn out the bulb, ignitor, ballast, etc.? Or can I live with it for awhile?

 

The condensation can cause problems if there is enough of it. If the headlight was replaced due to damage before, then we can assume that the bulbs were all reused. In that case, inspect the seals on the DRL bulb and the turn signal bulb and make sure they are good and seating properly.

As another member said, take out just one of the bulbs and leave the car parked in the sun for a bit and then put the bulb back in!

 

You can live with it but if you're really concerned just open up the headlights and wipe away the moisture and mod the headlights while you're at it (black out, zkw lens, etc) and seal them back up with butyl so they won't fog up ever again =)

 

just bough my car couple days ago and just washed it and the same thing happen!! imma try to take out the bulb and leave it in the sun the put back in to see if it fixed

 

As an update, I ended up buying an entirely new headlamp assembly. When I removed the old one, I noticed that the rubber gasket that is supposed to be around the turn signal light was entirely missing. I also replaced the gasket between the ballast and the assembly with a new one. Of course the new assembly came with a new cap that covers the HID headlight and a new gasket for it. I haven't noticed condensation since the replacement, but if I do, the only seal left from the old setup is the fog lamp gasket.

I'll have to give it a good wash and monitor that light.

 

Old thread. Any updates ?

I purchased an 08 certified a week ago and asked the dealership to look into why both headlights get fogged up. Tech said it was normal and that after a few mins it clears up. I rejected that answer and so they have ordered 2 new modules as warranty replacements.

 

dude it is NOT normal for them to fog up, dont take their bs. good thing they got you new headlights.

 

^ exactly, glad your getting new one's Acura604.

 

Happy to say that both headlights were replaced. Now to see if it cures the condensation issue. It's only been 24 hrs but am gonna leave the TL outside tonight to see what happens. Went driving for a few hours with lights on and it is about 2 degrees Celsius with no fogging yet.