condensation in headlight

[joet19711]

I somehow have condensation in the headlight that is sealed. I can not see any cracks in and around the lens and the housing.

Any comments/suggestions?

[Phil57]

Replace it. The after market lights are junk. I have a 2011 and the headlights are from a 2001-2004 Toyota Highlander. I believe the 2014 got a new cap and will have a different headlight. I tried to find a true oem but they are hard to find.

[15berkxl]

Phil the lights used on the 2015 and later are junk as well.


Wayne

[joet19711]

you are right about the junk...

I am under warranty...hope it will become their problem..

thanks for input..

[15berkxl]

I heard that FR engineering is aware of the condensation issues as well as the poor illumination but not sure if they have a fix.


Wayne

[Jeff_and_Abby]

Yours is particularly new, so perhaps there is a problem with these new integrated housings.

FR or your dealer might be able to verify that the proper fluid is installed for these newest technology fixtures:

https://youtu.be/E6GsXhBb10k

----

Note, this is meant to be light-hearted, a problem on a new rig is of course no fun.

[joet19711]

Originally Posted by 15berkxl

I heard that FR engineering is aware of the condensation issues as well as the poor illumination but not sure if they have a fix.


Wayne

Have spoken with dealer, waiting for FR to approve a whole new headlight.

the illumination seems to be okay and all of the lamps are okay.

Just a shame that it is made in such a way that you can not hardly fix it

yourself. Thanks for the heads up about FR engineering, and after saying

that to service, they admitted that they have had a few that have done

that.

Joe

[Texas Realtor]

I have 2011 and same thing as had both of mine replaced and upgraded the light bulbs as well so I can actually see driving at night

[MotoxDad]

Originally Posted by Texas Realtor

I have 2011 and same thing as had both of mine replaced and upgraded the light bulbs as well so I can actually see driving at night

What bulbs did you upgrade to?

[Texas Realtor]

I attached my receipt with part number for bulbs as my mechanic tech ordered and replaced. Including the light bulb housing to replace fogged one. They were ultra bulbs that ran $65 per bulb.

[joet19711]

Originally Posted by Texas Realtor

Attachment 124672
I attached my receipt with part number for bulbs as my mechanic tech ordered and replaced. Including the light bulb housing to replace fogged one. They were ultra bulbs that ran $65 per bulb.

I have not really driven too far at night, so maybe I just didn't notice the poor illumination.
Thanks for the bulb information. I wonder where the bulbs can be purchased other than the dealer?.

Joe

[Texas Realtor]

Probably type that number in computer with bulb name silver star and you could have 2 ordered and shipped to you

[15berkxl]

The problem is 2015 and later bulb do not come in anything more than an a basic H9 bulb.


Wayne

[MillerTime]

Op and everyone else that has the condensation issue.....the problem is actually that the headlamp vents have gotten blocked off or restricted. People can argue all they want, but manufacturers figured out a long time ago that you have to vent the lights to prevent condensation, you will never keep any lights sealed without air, with replaceable bulbs . With heated and cooled air there is always condensation.
I started having problems with condensation about 15 years or so ago when we were building custom trucks and putting aftermarket lights in them. It was such a widely known problem that we would actually drill 1/8" holes in the back of the lights at the corners, on new lights when we installed them.

Here is a couple of pics of a OEM 2015 Infiniti M56 headlamp i have in my garage. There are 2 vents on this headlight and when you pull the cap off it has a small sponge that lets air move freely but keeps dust out.

The problem with aftermarket is they cheap out and usually put a sticker over the vent holes instead of a filter like the OEM lights usually have.
If your out of warranty and dont want to waste money on another aftermarket light that will probably have the same issue....just drill a couple little holes towards the backside on the lower part of the lamp. You can stick a breathable cloth bandaid over the holes or just pull the sticker off the factory vent holes and put a breathable bandaid or other filter type over the factory holes.

Good luck op! Hope your dealer can take care of your issue. If not, at least you have the info as why it happens.

[joet19711]

Miller Time:

Your explanation makes sense. My headlight has two vent caps similar to yours except there is no sponge in it. I can actually look into the vent cap holes and see the condensation in there.

Why is condensation in one headlight and not the other? Both have the vent caps and both look the same.

Question is: how to get the condensation out of there? Seems like there should be a way. How about a hair dryer and blowing hot air in there to dry up the moisture? Think that would work? And how to prevent moisture from getting in there in the first place.

For me, even though it is under warranty, I would rather fix the stuff myself, and it is inconvenient to take it to the dealer 50 miles away and hang around all day or have to leave coach.

Any thoughts that you have would greatly be appreciated.

Joe

[SidecarFlip]

Why not just install a packet of silica gel crystals and let that absorb the moisture and then vent it properly?

[joet19711]

Originally Posted by 15berkxl

The problem is 2015 and later bulb do not come in anything more than an a basic H9 bulb.


Wayne

Here is what is on mine:

HB49006DOT12V55WLIF and

HB39005DOT12V65WLIF

every place that I look for replacement it comes up

Silver Star Ultra 9005 and 9006

Question are they the replacement for the HB4?

Joe

[joet19711]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

Why not just install a packet of silica gel crystals and let that absorb the moisture and then vent it properly?

I was able to find vent caps, removed (had bug webs in two of the three)

removed lamps and wife had round hair dryer and was able to absorb 99%

of the moisture.

Now will see if it comes back..and where did it come from in the first place.

Joe

[15berkxl]

Joe since yours is not an XL or XLT I guess yours still uses the old style assemblies with a high and low beam bulb. The XL and XLT use one bulb H9 with a shutter that changes the light pattern.


Wayne

[joet19711]

Originally Posted by 15berkxl

Joe since yours is not an XL or XLT I guess yours still uses the old style assemblies with a high and low beam bulb. The XL and XLT use one bulb H9 with a shutter that changes the light pattern.


Wayne

Wayne,

I have two bulbs as stated above, question is, are they the same as the silver star ultra? I can not 100% determine that for sure.

Joe