headlights not water tight

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Sep 9, 2007 | 09:00 PM

danefx

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 41

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From: california

headlights not water tight

I had my 04 LS430 washed today and noticed the right headlight had either condensation or water on the inside of the lens.

Has anybody else had this problem, and would replacement be covered by warranty?

thanks for your replies.

Sep 10, 2007 | 03:43 AM

awtrott

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Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 81

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From: GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by danefx

I don’t think this would be covered under warranty but it wouldn’t hurt to try. You should check to see if the access area where the bulb goes in is properly sealed. Good luck.

Last edited by awtrott; Sep 10, 2007 at 03:47 AM.

Sep 10, 2007 | 03:52 AM

CK6Speed

Lexus Test Driver

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From: HI

Condensation in the headlights on most of the other Lexus cars seem to be a comon problem. I hadn't heard much on it on an LS though so I thought they were better built, but I guess it can happen. Anyway, if your car is still under warranty I don't see why it wouldn't be covered under warranty. Most of us that have other Lexus cars that had this problem had our headlights changed with new ones under warranty. Either way, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Sep 10, 2007 | 10:37 AM

Topshottaz

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 257

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From: NY

i bought 2 new headlights from the dealer and with them sitting down in my house they do the same thing. this happens because the fixture tends to hold heat due to the metal components and when it is exposed to a cooling element such as a/c it tends to form condensation, theres nothing really you can do about it, its kinda like a glass with cold water in it.... the glass is gonna create condensation on the outside due to the Delta-T (difference in air temperatures)

Sep 10, 2007 | 09:43 PM

danefx

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Joined: Aug 2007

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From: california

when I had the car washed, it was around 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon. The headlights were not on and were not hot. The outside air temp was not cold or even very cool. I'm thinking that water got in from the car wash and it wasn't condensation.

any thoughts?

Sep 11, 2007 | 12:22 AM

GRAND_LS 4

3UZ-FEEEE

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From: Northern VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topshottaz

They are not supposed to do that. My LS never had any issues with condensation. Now I wish i could say the same about my GS...

Quote:

Originally Posted by danefx

Take it to the dealer after washing the car, they should replace it under warranty. They might give you some BS about it being normal, or that they are under instruction not to replace them unless the water is building up to high levels, but make sure you dont walk out of there without new housings, as this problem will prematurely age your housings, and they are not going to get any cheaper once your out of warranty.

Give them the usual story about how you cant wash you car, and how embarrassing it is for you to pull out of your new Lexus from the car wash with condensed lights. They should replace the units on the LS with no problem, unlike the GS, where corporate seems to have tried them not to do so.

Sep 11, 2007 | 11:37 PM

GRAND_LS 4

3UZ-FEEEE

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From: Northern VA

let us know what happens with the dealer...

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Sep 18, 2019 | 11:53 AM

zsrule65

Driver School Candidate

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 7

Likes: 1

From: SC

Eliminating condensation

I had to take out the round seal on the rear of the right side headlight housing. If they won't be replaced you can take a 1/4"-3/8" drill bit and once the seal cover is off drill a hole in the plastic cover. Clean off any plastic shavings. Now get a plastic hose to hose connector, some automotive goop sealant or weather strip sealant. Cut the plastic hose connector about an 1/8" short of the two flat pieces on the sides of it. Put your sealant around the outside of the half you just cut. Push it into the hole and let the sealant dry. "Be sure to not get any sealant in the plastic connector. After about an hour it'll be dry and secure. Put a small elbow shaped piece of vacuum hose on it, be sure it faces down, and put the round sealer cap bank on the headlight housing. This will regulate temp between inside and outside and should stop the condensation.
#### Important note. This is for housings that only get mild condensation not for headlights with leaks. Total cost assuming you have drill bits and a drill is about $2.00. Hope this helps. Fixed my issue for sure

Last edited by zsrule65; Sep 18, 2019 at 11:59 AM.