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      07-29-2014, 09:04 AM   #1
th1rd3y3
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Question Condensation in headlight?

Anyone have any issues with condensation in their headlights?

I've had the car since April with no issues, but yesterday morning I noticed there was a ton of condensation on the inside of my passenger side headlight. I'm going to make a quick visit to the dealer on my lunch break today to see if they can suggest what to do with it.
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      07-29-2014, 09:38 AM   #2
m1cism
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I definitely would have them take a look at the headlight manifold. Try to push for an inspection of all the gaskets/seal or to replace them.

Since you have condensation, it may result in corrosion which then leads to malfunctioning headlights.
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      07-29-2014, 10:29 AM   #3
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The night I picked up my car, it was cool out and I had condensation in one of the headlights. I mentioned it to my sales guy who told me it was normal. "Um... no it's not. I'll make an appointment to come have it fixed later".

Though, while reading the manual some days later, it does mention that it is normal to have some level of condensation in the headlights under certain circumstances. It's only if it doesn't go away does it become a problem. Sitting over a dewy night seems prime for a little condensation.

I wouldn't worry about it unless it sticks around all day or gets worse.

From the owner's manual:
"Condensation can form on the inside of the ex‐
ternal lamps in cool or humid weather. When
driving with the light switched on, the conden‐
sation evaporates after a short time. The head‐
lamp glasses do not need to be changed.
If the headlamps do not dim despite driving
with the light switched on, increasing humidity
forms, e. g. water droplets in the light, have the
service center check this."
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      07-29-2014, 10:34 AM   #4
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Ah good info, the condensation has been there since yesterday morning. I haven't driven with the the headlights on other than the DRLs which I'd imagine wouldn't generate enough heat to disperse any condensation.

The dealership is a about 15 minutes away so I'll turn the headlights on and see if it goes away like that before getting there. I do find it odd though that one would fog and the other wouldn't. While I didn't look closely this morning, it did look like there were actually droplets forming on the lens not just simply fogging.
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      07-29-2014, 11:10 AM   #5
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If you look closely I think there are two tiny holes on the headlights...or maybe they are just marks that look like holes???
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      07-29-2014, 12:34 PM   #6
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Well the service advisor thought it was bad enough to order a new headlight. Now to see how long that takes.

Pic for reference, it's actually worse than I thought it was.
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      07-29-2014, 12:57 PM   #7
m1cism
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Yeah that looks pretty bad. And does your other headlight do the same?

If not, then there is something funny about this particular headlight
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      07-29-2014, 12:59 PM   #8
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Other headlight looks new, which is why I questioned it at first. After getting to the dealer and looking closer at it, I realized there was no way there was not something wrong with it. Service advisor obviously felt the same way as he took a photo of it and said they'd order a new one.
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      07-29-2014, 01:10 PM   #9
m1cism
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Quote:
Originally Posted by th1rd3y3 View Post
Other headlight looks new, which is why I questioned it at first. After getting to the dealer and looking closer at it, I realized there was no way there was not something wrong with it. Service advisor obviously felt the same way as he took a photo of it and said they'd order a new one.

Okay cool, glad you got it worked out. Let us know how it turns out.
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      08-05-2014, 07:09 AM   #10
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Just an update. Dealer actually got the light in pretty quickly and swapped it out yesterday with no issue. Hopefully this it the worst issue I have with this car.
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      01-24-2015, 03:44 AM   #11
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does this apply to headlights only? ive had a lot of condensation in my tail light housing..
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      01-24-2015, 04:46 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ACDV228i View Post
does this apply to headlights only? ive had a lot of condensation in my tail light housing..
Can't hurt to ask your dealer about it. From what I can tell a small amount isn't exactly abnormal, but if you're seeing a lot I'd at least see what they can do.
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      01-24-2015, 08:52 PM   #13
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http://www.ricart.com/blog/2013/augu...-headlight.htm
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      01-29-2015, 02:20 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ACDV228i View Post
does this apply to headlights only? ive had a lot of condensation in my tail light housing..
I've had mild condensation in my taillight before. Just take it to the dealer and they will sort it out. They swapped in a new tail light for me and said the new one is an updated design.
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      01-29-2015, 02:56 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by th1rd3y3 View Post
Just an update. Dealer actually got the light in pretty quickly and swapped it out yesterday with no issue. Hopefully this it the worst issue I have with this car.
Customer service at it's Best.
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