Waterb in headlight assembly

[FTGL]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum so plz excuse me if this subject has already been covered... I have a '95 Taurus that has developed a water leak (not just dew) inside both headlight assemblies that has already caused 2 headlights to fail(shatter). Dealer says to replace both assemblies but there must be a simpler and cheaper fix. Am interested in knowing where it is entering and what their solution was...Tape along top seam of assembly??
Thanks,
Al

[TomV]

Tape sounds reasonable. Some silicon caulk could work.

[Raindancor]

Silicone will work for awhile. The headlite seem develops a crack this will not go away. Vibration will open it up sooner or later. (providing theres no rock holes) The water runs down the hood channel and onto the corner of the lamp so this is the main place to look. Then check to see if the bulb is sealing tightly, sometimes the tabs on the locking nut break off and don't hold bulb in tightly. The water will roll down and in. Replace this nut if any tabs are missing. Sooner or later your going to have replace them wether it's from a junk yard or a dealer. Use a hair dryer to aimed through the bulb hole to dry them out.

[FTGL]

Originally Posted by Raindancor

Silicone will work for awhile. The headlite seem develops a crack this will not go away. Vibration will open it up sooner or later. (providing theres no rock holes) The water runs down the hood channel and onto the corner of the lamp so this is the main place to look. Then check to see if the bulb is sealing tightly, sometimes the tabs on the locking nut break off and don't hold bulb in tightly. The water will roll down and in. Replace this nut if any tabs are missing. Sooner or later your going to have replace them wether it's from a junk yard or a dealer. Use a hair dryer to aimed through the bulb hole to dry them out.

Thanks Riandancor.. I had already dried them out with a hair drier using a funnel and a hose thru the bulb hole which worked great. The tape along the upper seam has temporarily cured the problem thru one car washing. Will recheck the bulb nut tabs, that's a good idea, Thnx!

[mwt]

FTGL,

That is a very common problem for the Generation II. You are not alone.

I went ahead and replaced mine with new ones and my daughter totalled the car six months later.

Mike

[Gravesubject]

My wife's '95 had this problem (and the broken retainer ring problem, too), so I drilled several 1/32 inch holes in the headlight assembly, right at the bottom. I started as low as possible and angled the drill bit up at an ~ 45 degree angle. I had to wick the water out of the holes with a paper towel, but there hasn't been any water build up (or shattered $10 halogen bulbs) in over a year.

[Century 2000]

Originally Posted by Gravesubject

My wife's '95 had this problem (and the broken retainer ring problem, too), so I drilled several 1/32 inch holes in the headlight assembly, right at the bottom. I started as low as possible and angled the drill bit up at an ~ 45 degree angle. I had to wick the water out of the holes with a paper towel, but there hasn't been any water build up (or shattered $10 halogen bulbs) in over a year.

Good idea. I did this with my Buick. Still develops dew, but water won't build up.

[rs7316]

Good advice. I drilled holes in mine and could have rehydrated Mars with the water that came out.

[armstsho]

On a side note,
anyone know where to get some inexpensive replacements for the headlight housings? (96-99)

[lectraplayer]

This may be a good excuse to upgrade/soup up your car by checking out the performance parts shops/catalogs. You may be able to find something spanky there, and it will likely be less than Ford wants, though still not dirt cheap.