Experiment to fix water-filled headlights on the cheap

[brholcomb]

Has anyone tried putting dessicant packets inside their headlamp housings, perhaps in addition to drilling the drain holes (or not)?

[colin12345]

I have had this problem many time on many cars over the year. A quick to solution and only takes a minute or 2 is to drill a very small hole into the light where the water gathers the most. Simple and quick.

[wphall]

After a few months, that light is dry most of the time except for a bit of dew or fogging after driving in hard rain for a few hours or prolonged rains.

[brholcomb]

Oh, I suppose once you drill the hole(s) and the draining occurs, the heat from the bulb will vaporize any remaining moisture and the vapor will exit the housing as well (through the holes). Perhaps the dessicant packets wouldn't be a good idea because they might "bounce" and contact the bulb?

[brholcomb]

Should I also add a little extra sealer (silicone?) around the outer seal?