Condensation in headlight, will it cause any problems?

bomber991 · 06-03-2009, 10:54 PM

Well here's the story. I drive an 03 bugeye that's stock, never touched the headlights. About a month ago when I was done washing my car, I noticed a bunch of little water droplets inside one of the headlights. No big deal, I figured it would dry up.

Anyways, now I still see some droplets in there during the mornings. I'm not really too sure how to fix it. It sounds like you have to remove the headlight thingy and seal it somehow, or just take it to the dealer.

Honestly though, what I'm really concerned about is if this is going to cause any problems for me. Is it going to make make the lens appear foggy after a while? Is it going to short out the electrical system somehow? Will it make the bulb randomly go out one day?

I just want to know because it's not something I want to spend $100-$300 at the dealer if I don't need to. I mean it's not visually ugly, just some water drops behind the headlights.

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bcware · 06-04-2009, 12:11 AM

The condensation COULD hurt your bulbs, but not unless it's really bad and literally pooling inside the housing.

Don't take it to the dealer; they won't repair it, they will just want to sell you a new one.

Black silicone will seal the light up just fine. Search for headlight mod thread like clear corner, angel eye, led strip, etc which will have pictures of the silicone strip i'm talking about.

CRAZYHAWK · 06-04-2009, 10:34 AM

Remove the bulb and blow a hair dryer into the housing. Clean
the bulb with alcohol, replace and seal with silicone.

ajp11 · 06-04-2009, 03:16 PM

Theres good advice with sealing the light housing here, but if its only a few drops, it really wont do anything. It won't short the light if its that little water. Try not to worry about it

ciper · 06-04-2009, 06:59 PM

The headlights should NOT be sealed. Thermal expansion will take care of any seal you try to create. The lights come with a "drain" from the factory in fact.

bcware · 06-04-2009, 08:23 PM

i didn't mean sealing any and all possible holes up, just the main silicone seal that holds the lens to the backing. if water is getting in i would guess its from the top/side edge exposed to the outside, rather than the back in the engine bay or the bottom, etc unless the humidity is very high.

DC16A2 · 06-05-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRAZYHAWK

Remove the bulb and blow a hair dryer into the housing. Clean
the bulb with alcohol, replace and seal with silicone.

This works, done it before.

06-03-2009, 10:54 PM	#1
bomber991 Scooby Newbie Member#: 52539 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: San Antonio, Texas Vehicle: 2003 Impreza WRX BLUE	Condensation in headlight, will it cause any problems? Well here's the story. I drive an 03 bugeye that's stock, never touched the headlights. About a month ago when I was done washing my car, I noticed a bunch of little water droplets inside one of the headlights. No big deal, I figured it would dry up. Anyways, now I still see some droplets in there during the mornings. I'm not really too sure how to fix it. It sounds like you have to remove the headlight thingy and seal it somehow, or just take it to the dealer. Honestly though, what I'm really concerned about is if this is going to cause any problems for me. Is it going to make make the lens appear foggy after a while? Is it going to short out the electrical system somehow? Will it make the bulb randomly go out one day? I just want to know because it's not something I want to spend $100-$300 at the dealer if I don't need to. I mean it's not visually ugly, just some water drops behind the headlights. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-04-2009, 12:11 AM	#2
bcware Scooby Newbie Member#: 190724 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: NH Vehicle: 2008 2.5i Sedan Lightning Red	The condensation COULD hurt your bulbs, but not unless it's really bad and literally pooling inside the housing. Don't take it to the dealer; they won't repair it, they will just want to sell you a new one. Black silicone will seal the light up just fine. Search for headlight mod thread like clear corner, angel eye, led strip, etc which will have pictures of the silicone strip i'm talking about.

06-04-2009, 10:34 AM	#3
CRAZYHAWK Scooby Specialist Member#: 198067 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: RAMSEY, NJ Vehicle: 2009 IMPREZA 2.5i 4d WHITE Premium	Remove the bulb and blow a hair dryer into the housing. Clean the bulb with alcohol, replace and seal with silicone.

06-04-2009, 03:16 PM	#4
ajp11 Scooby Newbie Member#: 175821 Join Date: Mar 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Rochester, NY Vehicle: 2011 Wrx Satin White Pearl	Theres good advice with sealing the light housing here, but if its only a few drops, it really wont do anything. It won't short the light if its that little water. Try not to worry about it

06-04-2009, 06:59 PM	#5
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	The headlights should NOT be sealed. Thermal expansion will take care of any seal you try to create. The lights come with a "drain" from the factory in fact.

06-04-2009, 08:23 PM	#6
bcware Scooby Newbie Member#: 190724 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: NH Vehicle: 2008 2.5i Sedan Lightning Red	i didn't mean sealing any and all possible holes up, just the main silicone seal that holds the lens to the backing. if water is getting in i would guess its from the top/side edge exposed to the outside, rather than the back in the engine bay or the bottom, etc unless the humidity is very high.