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Headlight with moisture (condensation inside)

19K views 25 replies 14 participants last post by  Campfamily 
#1 ·
hi, i come from Costa Rica.... i buy GC 2011 Limited...i saw in the headlight have moisture...i go to the dealer...they says that is normal due to the condition of the weather... but with the warranty they replace me a pair of brand new headlight. Now, the with the new headlight, is the same, with moisture

Do you thinks that is normal?
 

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#5 ·
On rainy days, long drive, with headlights on, mine is also showing some condensation; a bit fogged out. Not as bad as yours. Also one fog lamp is condesated, this one is going to be replaced.
At the carwash I have no problems.
 
#6 ·
Easy fix, take the ones that are getting condensation out, drill a hole on the bottom left and a hole at the bottom right of the headlight assembly, as far back on the clear piece as you can. This will keep them free of moisture. If it rains or you take it to the car wash, you don't have to worry about water getting inside. Myself and quite a few others that I know have done this numerous times without any problems.
 
#10 ·
No this is not normal, I would go back to the dealer again. (i know that can be a pain)

I noticed moisture inside my passenger-side reverse light after washing my Jeep this past weekend. I have 18,000 miles on it now and this is the first time i have noticed it. Time for a little warranty replacement!
 
#11 ·
It works and you don't have to worry about any more condensation and you don't have to worry about water getting in from the car wash or weather either. It is a common problem for vehicles to end up having condensation inside eventually, usually because there's not a good enough seal around the headlight assembly. Yes, it is an easy fix. Myself and A LOT of other people that grew up working on vehicles have always done this fix.
 
#12 ·
Since you're in Costa Rica, I wouldn't bother with a dealer at all. I live in the U.S. and I never take my vehicles to a dealer, I do my own work and it's A LOT cheaper. If you have any questions, problems, etc about your Jeep, use this site, it is a very good resource.
 
#14 ·
This is absolutely not normal. Its a symptom of failure of the headlamp's seals. It happening on an 11 year old WJ and on a brand new WK2 are two totally different things. "Drilling a hole" may be a solution on an old vehicle that is long out of warranty, but the dealer needs to replace these headlamps under warranty...and keep replacing them until you get a set that doesn't fog.

No headlamp should fog up inside.
 
#15 ·
It is a normal issue with assemblies that have bad seals. I've been working on vehicles for 23 yrs., all over the US and overseas, and I've seen this issue happen quite a bit on stock and after market headlight assemblies. From old classics to just off the lot, affordable and luxury vehicles. If it's got a bad seal, there will be condensation, period. They either get a lot of condensation or the assemblies get a film over them which makes it hard for the light to shine through. You definitely do not keep going to a dealer and getting them replaced each time until you get a set that works.
 
#18 ·
It is a normal issue with assemblies that have bad seals.
Right...and a $45,000 car should not have headlamp assemblies that have bad seals.

If it's got a bad seal, there will be condensation, period.
Right...we agree the headlights are bad.

You definitely do not keep going to a dealer and getting them replaced each time until you get a set that works.
Um...absolutely I do when i spend FORTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS on something. If a component is faulty, as you have admitted these headlights are, then I will take it to the dealer and have them replace the headlights until I get a set that works, they give me a new Jeep, or they give me my FORTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS back. If I go through a dozen headlamp assemblies to find a set that works, then thats fine. Jeep's dime not mine.
 
#17 ·
Absolutely NOT NORMAL and not ok.

Is a warranty issue.

Under no circumstances should moisture appear within the headlight. As other people have correctly stated, it is a failure of the sealing system. The likely cause is incorrectly fitted rubber seals around the bulb access area.

Once the headlight has moisture within it, it is only a matter of time before the chrome plating begins to flake off.

DO NOT drill holes in your new Jeep! Then you will definately not get a warranty because they will say that you have ****ed with it!
 
#21 ·
Older Land Rovers had a venting system for their foglights and headlights. There were two tubes, one on the bottom and one on the top, to provide a way for moisture to escape from the headlamp. Just FYI.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I vented the old headlights on my Jeep by drilling a very small hole................then a couple of years later, the lens on the inside started to get very dirty, hazy, and packed with grime.

I do not recommend it. It is only a quick fix.
 
#23 ·
I vented the old headlights on my Jeep by drilling a very small hole................then a couple of years later, the lens on the inside started to get very dirty, hazy, and packed with grime.

I do not recommend it. It is only a quick fix.
Maybe that's why the Land Rover assemblies had tubes on them. . . . ;)
 
#26 ·
For now.....but give it a year or so, and you'll see that this fix is very short term. Also, note that this thread is about 12 years old, and the vehicles being talked about were new at the time. If you have a 15 year old vehicle, yes, drilling a hole is a good short term fix. But if your vehicle is new, this isn't a good thing to do.

By the way, the "vents" mentioned in previous posts are designed so that moisture can evaporate out, but moisture and other contaminants can't get in. They aren't simple holes drilled in the housing.
 
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