I don't know how to remove my headlight cover...

[TrishIshNess]

My left headlight has gone out for the fourth time in a month, there is water in my light which is probably causing a short which causes the bulb to burst. becuase everytime I replace the bulb, the one I take out had exploded...

I want to take off my headlight cover to see if I can get the water out or see if I just need to replace it, but I don't know how to get the light off. HELP! I looked in the manual but all it had was how to replace the bulb itself.

So, can anybody help explain how to get my headlight/lamp cover off. There are the two clips on the top and there seems to be a clip on the back towards the bottom... but I'm having difficulty budging either of them.

[discnik]

What year, make, & model is your car ?

[TrishIshNess]

'92 Ford Taurus Stationwagon

[shorod]

The clear (or possibly yellowed) lens is glued on. I think those clips you are seeing are only on there to hold the cover in place while the glue dries.

When I experienced a similar issue on another Ford product, I removed the entire headlight assembly, drilled a small hole in a lower corner of the lens, then with the bulb removed, I aimed a small brushless fan to blow air through the headlight assembly from where the bulb installs. Once all the water had evaporated, I sealed the hole I drilled as well as the perimeter of the lense, where it mates with the headlight housing, with hot melt glue. Never had a moisture problem again.

-Rod

[Huney1]

I had water in a Mustang lens and read a forum where a guy took his and drilled a hole then put an air nozzle in the hole to blow it out and put to much pressure in and BOOM, blew up the lens cracked it in many pieces. You can buy new headlight assemblies but they're expensive.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by Huney1

I had water in a Mustang lens and read a forum where a guy took his and drilled a hole then put an air nozzle in the hole to blow it out and put to much pressure in and BOOM, blew up the lens cracked it in many pieces. You can buy new headlight assemblies but they're expensive.

Sounds like he forgot to remove the bulb, or drill a second hole for the air to escape and the pressure to equalize.

-Rod

[GPFred]

I had similar issue with my 98 Taurus taillight. I just filled it with water to see where the water leaked from, noted the area, drained and blew it out and then sealed the perimeter where it was leaking with marine silicon. Haven't had a problem since.

[Huney1]

". . . .he forgot to remove the bulb, or drill a second hole for the air to escape . . ." HeHeHeHe. . . Yes Sir,. . a real rocket sceintist there. Like Fred Sanford tells Lamont, "YOU BIG DUMMY!" Considering most air compressors generate 100 psi or more, drilled a 1/4" hole and put the end of the air gun in it and pulled the trigger wide open? Said he held it upside down so the hole was on the bottom and thought the water would get forced out by the air. Yup, sure as heck it did . . .

[TrishIshNess]

Originally Posted by shorod

The clear (or possibly yellowed) lens is glued on. I think those clips you are seeing are only on there to hold the cover in place while the glue dries.

When I experienced a similar issue on another Ford product, I removed the entire headlight assembly, drilled a small hole in a lower corner of the lens, then with the bulb removed, I aimed a small brushless fan to blow air through the headlight assembly from where the bulb installs. Once all the water had evaporated, I sealed the hole I drilled as well as the perimeter of the lense, where it mates with the headlight housing, with hot melt glue. Never had a moisture problem again.

-Rod

yeah I actually might try today hopefully to drill a hole in it to get the water out then seal it back up, but if not then I'll check with salvage yards. What sort of glue did you use to seal it back up?

[shorod]

I used just clear, general purpose hot melt glue. The marine silicone suggested by GPFred sounds like a good idea, or Automotive Goop, Liquid Nails, etc. I'd suggest anything that is clear, intended for exterior use, manageable, and will remain flexible.

-Rod

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

You probably all ready know this but if their is condensation,their is a crack somewhere{or maybe their isn't a good seal around the lightbulb} but anyways I took the whole lens off very gently with a butter knife,dried it out,and cleaned the lens with a scrach compound cause of the yellow oxidation.Then I sealed it up with auto goop.Worked pefect.