Jump to content

Headlamp Housing - Condensation

jomuehlbauer

By jomuehlbauer
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

 Share

Recommended Posts

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

To the guys that had their headlights replaced - did it totally fix the problem? Or do you still see some fog?

  • Replies 227
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

MotoMedic
MotoMedic

When I removed my headlights and mounted my HID ballasts to them, I didn't see any vents or openings. In fact the round cap to access the bulb has a rubber gasket to make it seal when closed.   If t

EastCoast HD
EastCoast HD

Skeet, I think your on the right track.   I know I probably sound like a broken record by now, but I'll repeat what I've been saying all along.   The headlight housings require a proper venting

jomuehlbauer
jomuehlbauer

Also, new to the site. Here is my truck so far.   Crew cab, standard box, SLT, 20% tint on front sides, 20% over factory in rear slider.   This week - 6" oval side steps and color matched GM mud f

Posted Images

MotoMedic Senior Enthusiast

MotoMedic

Posted
Posted

Here is what I have. Sorry for quality. Definitely a little more blue than yours...

Can you post a close up daylight pic with the lights all off?

sduff Enthusiast

sduff

Posted
Posted

To the guys that had their headlights replaced - did it totally fix the problem? Or do you still see some fog?

After having mine replaced in December, no change.

sduff Enthusiast

sduff

Posted
Posted

so you still have the same foggy lights you're saying ?

That is correct. After I got it back there was no change. To be perfectly honest with you I have given up on these issues and try not to think about them anymore. The 'headlights' and 'recirculate' issues are not on GMs list of priority things to fix. I was talking to my autobody guy the other day and he believes the headlights are a bad bunch from the manufacture. Once they use all of them up and get to a different batch the problem may correct itself. I'll just wait and when the problem has gone away I'll just request another set of new headlights. Guess it could take a while, but time is on my side.

sduff Enthusiast

sduff

Posted
Posted

Im getting mine replaced hopefully this week.

Keep us posted. And take note if there is a difference in the appearance of the headlight.

cmpcpro Enthusiast

cmpcpro

Posted
Posted

I sure hope for GM's sake *Because I like GM* they get their stuff straight.. Dodge sure is picking up a big share, and brand new trucks with foggy headlights and smelly interiors sure aren't very appealing..

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

if it's not the headlights.. it a different issue with a different car maker. Just heard on the news 2 min ago Ford is recalling over 1 million cars for something about reduced engine power. Pick your poison...

20L8TSierra24 Senior Enthusiast

20L8TSierra24

Posted
Posted

I just saw Fords recall as well.. Every manufacturer has their own set of problems. My lights get foggy as well, but not enough for the condensation to pool and usually dries right up. Ill wait to see if the "newer" trucks have this problem, or wait to see if a member gets theirs fixed and see if it comes back. Mine only fog up occasionally though. When its warm out and raining nothing, but when its cooler after a front and raining, only in the high beam section of my truck get a little. It don't really bother me at this point but its not rainy season yet.

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

The dealer said the headlight thing is normal and had a printout from GM stating the same. They knew in advance that was one of the reasons I was taking the truck to them. So they had that literature ready. Basically, they said they can't do anything.

 

If the headlights are the exact same design.. I dont see any reason to get them changed anyway. Sounds like some folks that get the lights changed are still getting the same issues anyway..

Stex Senior Enthusiast

Stex

Posted
Posted (edited)

The dealer said the headlight thing is normal and had a printout from GM stating the same. They knew in advance that was one of the reasons I was taking the truck to them. So they had that literature ready. Basically, they said they can't do anything.

 

If the headlights are the exact same design.. I dont see any reason to get them changed anyway. Sounds like some folks that get the lights changed are still getting the same issues anyway..

What does the print out say? Moisture in head light normal? Pic of replaced headlight anyone?

Edited by STex
Stex Senior Enthusiast

Stex

Posted
Posted (edited)

When I removed my headlights and mounted my HID ballasts to them, I didn't see any vents or openings. In fact the round cap to access the bulb has a rubber gasket to make it seal when closed.

 

If the truck was assembled or the housings were opened on a day with high humidity, the moisture in the air can become trapped and cause your lights to fog up. After I installed my HID's (in south Louisiana where the humidity is always high), I noticed mine had some fog build up.

 

Easiest way to fix is with a little nitrogen, if you have access to it. My company uses nitrogen in it's tools, so I just the hose in the housing's opening, let the gas flow for a min or so, & then closed them back up. No more moisture/fog problems.

 

Question: does one need to remove headlight assembly for this ( nitrogen flood of assembly) or can you reach it as installed?

Edited by STex
MotoMedic Senior Enthusiast

MotoMedic

Posted
Posted

Question: does one need to remove headlight assembly for this (nitrogen flood of assembly) or can you reach it as installed?

 

No, but you do have to remove the passenger side air box to gain access to the rear of that side's headlight. I just unscrew the rear caps, barely pull back to open a tiny slit, then spray, and close. Usually will do it a few times, pausing maybe 2 or 3 mins between each to let the air inside settle. Yes, it's behavior of an OCD madman, but oh well. ha

 

Unfortunately, I did notice a tiny bit of condensation in one of my headlights recently, so looks like water is still finding its way in. Eventually, I'm going to pull the entire housings out and cover every possible seam with clear silicone... until then, I'll just have to respray every couple months.

 

FYI: If you don't have access to nitrogen (or argon) gas, they sell it in spray cans for "wine preservation" purposes...

41UELQswr1L.jpg

  • Like 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • asilverblazer
      Intermittent no-code issues on 2022.5+ V8 trucks — what did the shop fail to capture?

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      Length/amount of data capture will be important to consider, sifting through 5 minutes of a data log can be enormous when it is stored in milliseconds. Being able to find the 'event' let alone decipher it.   Presumably the driver would notice something and hit a button to capture the 'window' of data. That window has to be large enough for the operator to recognize the event and react accordingly.    The data has to be able to be retrieved easily.   The data has to be able to be understood. Which is the biggest challenge, dealer techs won't even know what most of it is and would likely not even look at it if an owner brought it to them. Meaning the owner, the least educated/qualified, trying to understand it.    How will the data be presented? Could specific PIDs be selected and a timelapse graph be watched? How will a specific value be noted as abnormal? Additionally, a good data logger would be able to 'learn' normal values for a specific vehicle and flag abnormalities automatically. It could in theory watch parameters degrade over time and suggest maintenance as needed. (If the MAF reading begins tapering off for a given set of other readings - MAP, throttle position, Ambient, etc.. a flag to check air filter.) With the amount of data available, a device (really the vehicle rather than an additional accessory) should be able to do more than issue a DTC. It should be able to run the full diagnostic suite automatically and present a solution rather than a code. (It's not the 90's anymore). The technology is available for the vehicle to not just say "P0087", it should know low fuel pressure, check other PIDs to narrow down the problem itself, and determine if it is a lift pump, high pressure pump, regulator, leak in the fuel line, clogged filter, etc. Even if it can't narrow it down, it should be able to guide the user to the likely problems.   This would be a major problem for dealer service departments, which are the manufacturers customers it is in their collective best interest to NOT have this available to the consumer.   Further, if the owner is going to be the primary consumer of the data, it's got to be at a consumer price point vs. dealer only specialty tool price.   This group is more 'involved' in their vehicle than general public/consumer and will have knowledge, experience, needs and desires that are quite different from the market at large.   
    • KARNUT
      OCI, not when but why?

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I put the prof up. If you read what I posted. You can see that housing, cars and income are in line with the era we were talking about. It’s harder in some places easier in others. Let’s agree to disagree and put this back on track, OK? We both are pretty stubborn and hard headed. But I bring receipts. If you wish I will not respond to you in the future. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Lets see if I can sum up two pages of nothing useful.    You want to refute your own governments data of the "Purchasing Power" Index FOR THE ENTIRE USA and its territories replacing it with the experience of a single family and its business and label that reality?  Then pound on that for a week hoping it will find traction?    Stan, I've told you several times. I don't do irrational. There are more people in the USA than your family.    I'm pretty sure this tread is so blown up. I'll give you a few days or months if need be to post yourself silent then I'll see if I can find enough parts of the train to reassemble it. 
    • asilverblazer
      VSE CCV Bypass - Anyone have this installed in their L5P?

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      Facebook groups hate VSE, poor customer service; their responses to criticisms are pretty poor for a reputable company. I'm not a customer, haven't bought anything from them, but how they handle themselves on social media is a definite "No" for me. 
    • asilverblazer
      Transmission Woes :-(

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      $10,000 for a transmission?   Pretty sure I could buy all the parts, tools, and education to rebuild it myself for a quarter of that amount.   or swap it out with a new one...

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...