mandyfig

This has a TSB and yes warranty is up for me. Your 09 would probably be OK. This was an issue on the 04~05's. However, based on what I have read, other Lexus models, like teh GS and SC, had same issues.

Anyway, mine's fixed and that's what matters. It took me a while to figure out how to replace the head lamp, but found out it was not that bad.

I suggest that you pay attention on your HL, more towards the end of your warranty. If you find this issue, Lexus will replace the HL for sure. Some of us here have gone through a set or more of the HL...that's how bad the issue was.

arnieosp

iTrader: (1)

I have an 08. It's 15 months old now. I never had this problem yet. Is this something I need to worry about, or had Lexus fixed it by now?

mandyfig

08's are good. Just the same, check your head lamps when it is raining. When you wash your car, etc. Some people have blasted the head lamp with high pressure washer...and then check.

When you are close to the warranty date, do some checking.

sarcasm198

Ok, this chick is a little slow on step #7. I don't quite understand the this step. Tape up the holes and add air pressure? What would I use to do this?

I currently have condensation and my low beam light is not working but my high beams are. I am hoping that I can seal this and simply replace the bulbs. I am in ATL (Smyrna really) and the rain has bee na nightmare. I am hoping to takle this project this weekend I think I can, I think I can!

Oh yeah! Another question...what kind of tape should I use?

mandyfig

The purpose of the air is to pinpoint the leak and to re-seal it. If you do not have compressed air, somebody suggests to dip the head lamp assy in a tub of water and watch where the air bubbles come out from.

The only other way to do it is to just seal the entire perimeter of the head lamp. Messy but should work. Use Silicone RTV clear. Put lots of them.

mandyfig

You will see where the seal areas are, where the black plastic meets the clear plastic. That's where you want to apply a solid bead of sealant, all around.

intermec

the condensation problem also happens to Toyota Sienna and other Toyota models. And 90% of the time is the passenger side HL.
Many folks tried to tape off the top part (which is the trouble area) but for whatever reason it failed after a few days.

I guess they didn't take the whole light out and do the bubble check. I hope your method works.

Have you tried to take it to a car wash and see if it will hold up?

mandyfig

So far, with heavy rain, car wash every week, no condensation has returned. The seal that I put in which was at the top was heavy. It worked.

mandyfig

I wish that I would have done the bubble test with the HL mounted, instead of tearing it apart. Well, it was good practice. The culprit lies on the seal on the top of the HL.

Sunapollo

Great writeup ! I wish all the DIY procedures are as clear as yours.

mandyfig

Thanks, I have been the recipient of many good DIY write ups, so when I get a chance, I return the favor!

mandyfig

Here's a quick check if your car is outside the condensation issue (2004~2006) 2007 looks ok:

Some customers may experience condensation or moisture forming on the interior of
the headlamp of 2004 -- 2006 model year RX 330 vehicles. New headlamps are
available to address this concern. Use the following repair procedure to replace the
headlamp assembly.
S 2004 -- 2006 model year TMMC-built RX 330 vehicles produced BEFORE the
Production Change Effective VINs shown below.
MODEL PLANT DRIVETRAIN PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN
RX 330 TMMC
2WD 2T2GA31U#6C052590
4WD 2T2HA31U#6C108505

bagsbie

I am sorry if I missed it in the write-up but don't you want to dry the inside of the headlight assembly prior to sealing it? How do you go about it, wife/gf's hair dryer, maybe?

mandyfig

Yes, dry it up using a hair blower or even an industrial blower.

n5k

Thanks for the instructions. I have taken my headlight out and I am drying it. I noticed that both of my headlights have only one white plastic cap on what appears to be two vent holes (the cap for what I am calling a vent hole has foam at the bottom). The other vent hole is a direct path to the headlight with no cap or foam. Your pictures illustrate the same. Any thoughs if this cap has fallen off or if this is by design? I am trying to understand if it does any good sealing the headlight if they are vented by design? I think I am going to plug off the exposed hole and see what happens. To clarify the white cap that I mention above, the round cap goes over a D shape extrusion, thus it will not seal 100%, but any air will have to pass through the foam on the bottom of the cap.
Thanks