Remove moisture from lights

[bigrockk]

2007 GMC Ext Cab, 2500HD, 6L Gas, with 195,000 KM

Well to have my safety check complete I need to remove the moisture from my lights, can any one tell me how to remove these?
Do I need to remove the grill and if so how to I get it out? I had a look but it doesn’t seem obvious. How would you change a bulb in these, can’t seem to reach them from under the hood very easily. Probably goofy questions I know but appreciate the help once again!

Pictures of the lights are at the link below

http://pbckt.com/sU.v2l

[mcconnell45]

I'm going off of my '03 silverado for reference but I would imagine your Sierra isn't too far off.
When you look at the headlight with the hood open there should be a metal rod sticking up on each side of the headlight assembly. Unscrew these rods until you are able to pull them completly out. Once you do that you should be able to take the headlight through the front of the grill making it easier for you to either unscrew the bulbs or just unplug the harness.
Now this part I'm not sure about because the design of the silverado vs the sierra is a little different. But on mine once you remove the headlight there will be enough room for you to remove the drl/blinker assembly below it. On my truck there is a white clip you release and just like that the entire thing comes out and you should be good to go.
As far as getting the moisture out someone else may have to touch on this subject. These lights are completely sealed other than were the bulb goes in so I'm not real sure how easy it would be to open the light itself up..or if you even want too do that. Sounds like a heck of a process to get a truck saftey checked up there..good luck!

[bigrockk]

I will check tomorrow after work to see if it is the same. Even if it is somewhat different you have given me some great ideas for what to look for. I’m sure it will be somewhat similar.

Thanks again for a quick reply, this would certainly take a lot more effort without all the help!

Sounds like a heck of a process to get a truck saftey checked up there..good luck!

I think it is mostly a money grab to be honest, I’m all for safety but some times it gets a little carried away.

[j cAT]

on my 2000 siL the head lamp is held by 90deg rods no threads ...held by plastic retainer built into the support bracket ...remove these rods spray with a lube first ...with the lamp out the socket key depressed you rotate a 1/4 turn and the socket comes out ..this should take about 2 min...

with the lamp assy removed place the fixture on a warm surface with the socket hole up....the mositure will soon evaporate...

check the edges for proper sealing ,,,add a clear sealer to the edge seams ...on the socket rubber gasket place some silicone dielectric grease ..you will never have this again ...do not touch these glass lamps with you skin as oils/dirt will damage the lamp..

[gremlin96]

i have a question. my 2004 has been on bad roads. behind coal trucks. even doing some light off roading. i have never had water in the lights. i even hit a spot on the road when it rains the water stands 2ft deep for 100 yards.

how in the heck did you get water in the lights.

[bigrockk]

Mine are exactly as jcat described. It turns out they are quite easy to remove.

how in the heck did you get water in the lights

Again Jcat nailed it, the seals on the edges of the lamps are bad, If you look close on the edge there is a white gasket between the lens and the body of the lamp and on mine I could see the gasket was not in properly.
I placed them on the floor register overnight and they look good!

Thanks again for the replies, the help sure makes this easier!

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigrockk

Mine are exactly as jcat described. It turns out they are quite easy to remove.



Again Jcat nailed it, the seals on the edges of the lamps are bad, If you look close on the edge there is a white gasket between the lens and the body of the lamp and on mine I could see the gasket was not in properly.
I placed them on the floor register overnight and they look good!

Thanks again for the replies, the help sure makes this easier!

you must be careful with the soap used on the washing of your vehicle...acid vehicle soaps must be avoided...these do a great job of cleaning the finish with little effort BUT cause damage.....

only use high quality vehicle cleaning products with no acid cleaners....

soap used at the car wash is not good !

[serge_saati]

I'd a tip for you, so you don't need to remove the assembly. Simply, remove the bulbs socket while the lamp are turned on. Not completely, just enough to let the moisture get out. Because the light are turned on, it'll heat, so it'll evaporate.

Maybe the light cover needs also to be cleaned/polished.
Use vegetable oil or even better, acetone (paint solvent) to clean from outside.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by serge_saati

I'd a tip for you, so you don't need to remove the assembly. Simply, remove the bulbs socket while the lamp are turned on. Not completely, just enough to let the moisture get out. Because the light are turned on, it'll heat, so it'll evaporate.

Maybe the light cover needs also to be cleaned/polished.
Use vegetable oil or even better, acetone (paint solvent) to clean from outside.

the lamps to remove require little effort , no screws ...to run lamps not properly secured will cause the bulb filament to break with the vibration ...if the housing is wet inside the fixture must be removed to seal the edges anyway..

the use of acetone solvent should only be used on bare metal...this is a powerful solvent and will damage your painted/plastic/rubber and other surfaces.....

use of acetone on the lamp will damage the seal...not good IDEA ...