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RX330 Headlight Moisture

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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 03:50 PM
  #1  
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Exclamation RX330 Headlight Moisture

It's rainning like crazy here in DFW and I left my car outside last night. I noticed the passenger side HL has moisture built up inside. I took a picture just in case, and I will take the car tomorrow for dealer to look at. Is this a common issue with the RX? I ask because, when the car was originally delivered to me, the driver's side HL has moisture also after it was detailed prior to delivery. The part was ordered and replaced by the dealer at no cost to me. The car is still under original warranty, so I guess Lexus will have to take up the cost.
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 04:50 PM
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This is/was a somewhat common problem but my dealer replaced mine without question or any issue at all. No more problem with that issue on my 05 330.
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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 05:49 PM
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do some marking towards the lamp to be sure they made replacement
this moistures come n go, dun think its a big issue
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 02:33 AM
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I only had about 1500 miles to go before my warranty ended but the dealer replaced both my headlights due to condensation. For me condensation in the headlights is a big problem because this is the only car I've ever had that had this problem. I know other cars have this problem as well, but I just never had those cars and don't believe moisture in the headlights in normal or tolerable.
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 06:20 PM
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yep mine were changed for free too
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 08:54 PM
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same problem here too. i had the driver side change out. good thing u took pics, cause they will need proof of condensation.
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Old Jan 28, 2007 | 12:05 PM
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Today, I noticed moistures inside my front driver side HL. Is there a TSB #? Does the dealership need any proof for it, because by the time I take it to the dealership, the moistures will dry out.
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Old Jan 28, 2007 | 06:11 PM
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Default The Dealer Moisture Test

Hello,

I just took my 06 RX330 in to the dealer last week. We had noticed moisture buildup in the passenger's side lamp enclosure almost a year ago when we first took delivery of the vehicle. But not long afterwards, it disappeared. The car spends most of the time in the garage, so this wasn't too surprising. I called the dealer when we noticed the return of the moisture two weeks ago... and they got back with me promptly to schedule an appointment.

But here's the NEW INFORMATION. According to our dealer, they are now required to do a test for moisture buildup. They turn on the headlights for 15 minutes, and if the moisture disappears, then the moisture is considered "normal" (their words, not mine). The dealer told me to make sure I didn't run the headlights on the way to the dealership. Mine must have failed the test, because they replaced my headlamp assembly. The good news here is the dealer told me that even if they didn't change the lamp assembly, my bringing the vehicle in for the problem would be the necessary documentation we might need, just in case we had problems later, after warranty.

Hope this helps...

JR
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Old Jan 28, 2007 | 06:37 PM
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That is too bad dealers are doing this now. I can understand them loosing money on nearly every Lexus car they have to replace the headlights on, but that is Lexus' fault not the buyers. If they insist it is normal, I would inspect your headlights very carefully to make sure there isn't a single sign of dried moisture on the inside of the lens. On one of mine the condensation dried, but it left very tiny water spots on the inside. They replaced it for me. If you find any signs of water spots ask them to clean it. Obviously they can't clean it so they will have to replace it Anyway, it is BS that Lexus is requiring the dealers to to that. Of course heat from the headlights will dry up the condensation. That is like them saying blow some hot air in there with a hair dryer and if it dries up it is normal.
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Old Jan 28, 2007 | 07:16 PM
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They replaced mine on Passanger side... now it starts building up on driver's side as well as tail lights.
What the heck is this?
I had Sc400 and had exact same problem... why toyota cars have this type of problem?
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Old Jan 29, 2007 | 09:16 AM
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I took a photo of the HL moisture and will take it to the dealership soon.. How much $$ is usually to replace a set of front HL if not covered by warrenty?

I heard when you have the one side HL replaced, you can notice the halogen bulb is a different color, possible more gren/blue/purple then the other one. Anyone noticed it?

Last edited by Dinomon; Jan 29, 2007 at 09:45 AM.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 10:01 PM
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Dealer just replaced mine today under warranty - and yes, they seem to be "bluer" than the originals. The service manager said they replace a LOT of them - and that they had a similar problem with the coupes.
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 01:49 AM
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Same here with my lights. They replaced both right and left, but my left one has more purple in them. Not in terms of actually light output, but on the cut off line.
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 08:06 AM
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I called my dealership to see the cost of each HL set, and they quoted me $645 (just parts), no labor included.
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 08:11 AM
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I would also try E-bay if your warranty expired... Non-xenon set is fairly cheap up there.
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