severe headlight condensation

[dbmsband]

My headlights stay fogged over on my 2002 Venture WB. There are even small droplets of water inside them. Dealer will not cover the repairs under my service contract. Someone suggested drilling a hole in the bottom of the lights to allow drainage, etc. How do I get the headlights out to do this? How big should holes be? Where is the best place to drill holes? Finally, does this really work or should I just replace? I had a Buick Regal '95 - taillights did same thing. Drilled holes, and it did help, but didn't solve. What's with the GM lights?

[Huney1]

Welcome to the club Bro' because our Y2K is the same. Open the hood and look at the inside of the lights and you don't have to take them out to drill holes in the side. I drilled 5/8" hole at the top and bottom side and the moisture went away but I still have that somewhat frosted looking stuff outside. I worked on it with rubbing compound and it helped, but they still look nasty. New headlight assembiles run $80. each and if I did much night driving I'd get new ones.

"What's with the GM lights?" Darn if I know but I had a 96 Mustang that did the same thing.

[3mikeman]

The same thing happened to me after replacing the the bulb. I guess GM has put nitrogen into the headlight housing. So i took my bulb back out dried the lens out fill it up with some nitrogen and they been okay so far it's been about 3 weeks or so and no moisture yet. I had a post under 2002 headlight assembly and someone there said that it's does say GM puts nitrogen in the housing per the manual.

[gonzojoey]

Found this TSB about the headlight issues:

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: NHTSA Bulletin Number: 200202

MFG Bulletin Date: 20020220

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Details: CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH LEAKING HEADLAMPS OR LENSES FALLING OFF. *TT



Does this mean that the Chevy Dealer would repair my headlights for free? Both of the lens covers have come off (I'm not too familiar w/ how TSB's work)

[cdru]

Originally Posted by gonzojoey

Does this mean that the Chevy Dealer would repair my headlights for free? Both of the lens covers have come off (I'm not too familiar w/ how TSB's work)

No. TSB's basically are just a information release that goes to dealers telling them about frequent problems, revised specs, etc. There are some TSBs that may be covered under a warranty, recall, etc, but just because GM admits that there is a problem or issues a TSB doesn't mean they will always foot the bill.

[JJ Newel]

I got a question how did you get nitrogen into the headlight assembly and where did you buy the nitrogen from?????

[3mikeman]

Well i know a friend that works at a welding supply store and was able to get a small bottle of it and a regulator fitted with an air hose and blowgun. Then just get as much condensation out with a hairdryer and just blow some nitrogen in at a low pressure(10psi or so) with the lens sidedown for about 10-15 seconds then replace the bulb.

[woscarr]

"I guess GM has put nitrogen into the headlight housing."


I had the same problem with mine and fixed them back in December and so far still nice a nd dry on the inside.


Here's what I did...


I took the headlights off the van (easy... 2 wingnuts/light under the hood), and brought them inside.

I gave them a good wash inside and out and then a good rinse, towel and air dried.

Now I prepped the seal going around the light, where the front lens attaches to the rear reflector.

I lightly sanded and removed any loose pieces of the old sealant and wiped clean.

I purchased and applied 'Automotive Goop' in a thin layer, waited a hour and applied a second layer then allowed it to dry 24hrs.


Automotive Goop = Contact Adhesive & Sealant... dries clear.


So far working like a charm... 5 months and counting.


Here something I have noticed that makes me wonder if drilling a hole is a good idea... Keeping in mind, I had initially had planned to drill holes in mine but ended up going with the sealant.

About two weeks ago I had to change one of the front turn signal/orange running light bulbs... No problem. As they come in pairs at the store I changed both.

As I was putting the driver side one back in I broke the little tabs on the light bulb socket It goes back in but it don't lock in very tight anymore. edit; meaning the locking tabs that allow it to lock onto the housing and with the compression gasket on the socket creating a air tight seal... That don't work no more, now the socket just kinda sits their not really being held by anything.

I know. I know. I gotta get a new one, Canadian Tire don't have them... It's a dealer part !!!


Well I just noticed today the inside of that light fixture is very saturated with moisture... SAUNA is a better way to describe it ! Pretty bad.


Just my HO
Wayne

[Disturbed_One]

not from condensation, but a while back I had a lightbulb explode, and had to replace it

I washed the lens off on the inside, and blew it dry (with a hair dryer) and then did it again, only with alcohol

but, the lens is still all foggy

any way to get it even semi clear again...I mean light still goes through it and everything, its just really foggy