Condensation in Headlamp

[jboult]

Hi,

Just a quick and minor one, for a change. I've got some condensation inside one of my headlamps. Is this common and is there a routine fix (new seal, etc.)?

Apologies if this topic has been done to death but I couldn't find anything through the search function.

Cheers/John

 

[Stewart Rix]

You might want to try taking the glass off (remove the headlight pod from the car and then lift the tabs all round the pod that secures the glass) and leaving it over night in your airing cupboard. It may just dry out the dampness. You may want to clean the inside of the glass while you're in there as well. Be very careful cleaning the chrome reflector though as the counting will come off very easily.

 

[clyde]

I occasionally get a bit of condensation in one or other of my headlights. I suspect it's the the effect of the warm moisture laden air cooling down inside the units when the lights are switched off. As the air cools it can no longer hold the same amount of moisture as when warm and dumps the water it can no longer hold as condensation on the coldest part of the unit, i.e. the headlight glass.

The units are not completely sealed and I don't think there's much you can do to stop this moisture laden air getting in at this time of year but it never seems to hang about for long.

Unless it's more than a bit of condensation I don't think it's anything to worry about

 

[jboult]

Thanks for the answers. It's definitely only condensation and disappears quickly once the lights are on, as you'd expect. I guess I'll leave it for a little while and see if it becomes a regular thing before attempting anything.

Cheers/John

 

[Mike M]

This might help its a historical responce from Maurice. I was installing HID's and came across a pipe and I didnt know where it came from, his answer was as follows:

"Hello Mike

You have stumbled upon one of the beauties of 993 ownership. That tube feeds into the rear of the headlight socket and drops down to a special aerodynamic connector on the underside. Its purpose is to pull ventilation through the headlight, preventing condensation inside.

Bit like the battery vent tube that you frequently find flopping about in the boot ...

cheers, Maurice "

Sorry about cut and paste, didnt know how to link the previous corrispondance.

Cheers

Mike

 

[T200]

Hi John a quick question is the headlamp fitted with zenon bulb? I had condensation on a company car that turned out to be a leaking zenon bulb.

 

[jboult]

Hi - thanks for the answers. Yes, I upgraded to HIDS quite sometime ago now (the result of one too many hair raising drives home on dark evenings!). I'll take a look for the tube, and also swap the bulbs around to see if the problem moves with the bulb.

Cheers/John

 

[clyde]

ORIGINAL: Mike M

This might help its a historical responce from Maurice. I was installing HID's and came across a pipe and I didnt know where it came from, his answer was as follows:

"Hello Mike

You have stumbled upon one of the beauties of 993 ownership. That tube feeds into the rear of the headlight socket and drops down to a special aerodynamic connector on the underside. Its purpose is to pull ventilation through the headlight, preventing condensation inside.

Bit like the battery vent tube that you frequently find flopping about in the boot ...

cheers, Maurice "

Sorry about cut and paste, didnt know how to link the previous corrispondance.

Cheers

Mike

I presume mine are still connected and that's why I only ever notice any condensation in the morning after it's been used with its lights on the day before. A brief drive certainly clears it with or wothout the lights being on.