2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Condensation in headlight

[AMink]

I noticed that my driver's side headlight has moisture in it. It is not giving off much light. NAPA is asking $129 for a new assembly. Is there an easier and cheaper way to fix this? Can I dry out the assembly and hopefully find the leak, seal it and go on with life? Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[DMcPherson]

the lens should some off of the housing. itis hard sometimes to get them off without breaking the lens. but get it off and reseal the whole thing. sometimes they come off very easily I may add

 

[DieselRam30]

The other thing is you could drill a very small weep hole somewhere not noticeable and that should help the condensation.

 

[DMcPherson]

I have tried that on other aplications and it seems to do worse than good. being in the front in bad road conditions they actually seemed to collect condensation and fine dirt.

 

[AMink]

Is the lens on the housing with a snap fit, or is it glued? I assume if I get it off in one piece, I could use some silicone caulking to put it back together?

 

[Todd F]

I had the same problem with one of my headlights. After dealer replaced the headlight housing twice. I told them to replace the bulb retaining clip as the new housings and bulbs didnt help.

If your housing isnt too stained, take it out and dry the inside of it. It might be a cheap fit if it is just the light bulb retaining clip.

 

[SBettencourt]

Its best to just replace the headlight completely. The lens is fused to the housing. That seal is broken and it is not easy to fix. eBay is a great source for replacements. I got one for my '01 from 1AAuto via eBay for about $60. That included the turn signal and a new headlight bulb (which I did not use). They are in MA so shipping was fast which was a plus for me.

 

[DMcPherson]

it should snap on, aith a little bit of sealer. shouldent be hard to get appart

 

[fkovalski]

I had the same problem on my '01. I thought I picked up a rock, but it was a factory defect that did not show up until after 3/36K. I found that the plastic housing and lense was a 2 pc. integral unit that developed a leak between the two. I dissasembled and removed the housing. I rinsed the inside as best I could and dryed the inside completly. There still was residue left inside that I could not clean. I roughed up the edges where the 2 pieces of the lense housing mated and applied a silicone sealer. It did seal the leak, but the remaining residue inside the housing caused the light to not be as bright as before. I was looking into Sport Headlights, but ended up trading in the truck.

 

[Demons_Ram]

Headlamp Clear-Plastic-Cleaner-Polish

I had the same problem on my '01. I thought I picked up a rock, but it was a factory defect that did not show up until after 3/36K. I found that the plastic housing and lense was a 2 pc. integral unit that developed a leak between the two. I dissasembled and removed the housing. I rinsed the inside as best I could and dryed the inside completly. There still was residue left inside that I could not clean. I roughed up the edges where the 2 pieces of the lense housing mated and applied a silicone sealer. It did seal the leak, but the remaining residue inside the housing caused the light to not be as bright as before. I was looking into Sport Headlights, but ended up trading in the truck.

Maybe if you tried something like plastic polish http://www.meguiars.com/?clear-plastic-care/PlastX-Clear-Plastic-Cleaner-Polish http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html http://www.mothers.com/products/ it would have cleaned the residue off.

 

[fkovalski]

Maybe if you tried something like plastic polish... it would have cleaned the residue off.

This plastic polish is for the outside (?) I take it?... I should have been more clear (no pun ) in my reply in that the residue I was refering to was on the inside. I did not actually dis- assemble the housing and the gunk was still inside. It was kinda difficult to really get all the grime out withou doing major surgery to the housing assembly.



Have you used this stuff before and does it do a decent job?



-frank.

 

[SSage]

Want to buy new ones?

I replaced mine. Bought a pair off ebay.



Stock style lights with bulbs for $100. 00



Another one.



There is plenty of clear styles too.

 

[DMcPherson]

just be careful sith the aftermarket lights, especially ones from companies like apc and the like. you will have more condensation than you do now. the fit is ok but the quality is not good. and I would spend the money for oem's before those. I beleive tyc is a good company and makes them.

 

[Demons_Ram]

This plastic polish is for the outside (?) I take it?... I should have been more clear (no pun ) in my reply in that the residue I was refering to was on the inside. I did not actually dis- assemble the housing and the gunk was still inside. It was kinda difficult to really get all the grime out withou doing major surgery to the housing assembly.



Have you used this stuff before and does it do a decent job?



-frank.

Frank,

I was assuming from your post that you had the lens and bucket split apart and could get to the inside. As far as the plastic polishes go, I've had good luck with them on dashboard gauge lens and other plexiglass type items. You have to figure if the military uses a similar product to polish the canopies on their fighter jets it must work... right? :-laf

 

[Nate]

My Jeep was doing that and I just ran some edge sealer around the seam. We use it at work to seal the edges of the stickers on missles. It's made by 3M.

 

[AMink]

I ended up prying the lens off the housing. It came off pretty easy. Whatever they used to glue the two together is hard. I used a rotozip to clean it out and Goop to glue it back together after cleaning. FYI and very important!!! The reflector in the housing DOES NOT LIKE WINDEX! It is a very thin coating of reflective material and it dissolved in spots :{ . Probably won't be any further ahead than when I started. I had to drive tonight and the headlight is still drying. Hardly noticed that I was missing one light! Might check into some of the newer supposedly brighter lights.

 

[RickL]

If you are going to replace the bulbs, go with Silverstars by Sylvania. Same wattage, white light. Like night and day (pun intended)