My dads 2005 Panda has had a problem with a misted up headlamp for a few years. It has always managed to scrape through its MOTs but I suspect this year the headlamp could be a problem as the fogging up has become far worse.

It looks like it would be a simple task to get hold of a replacement headlamp from a breakers and swap it for the old one. Is it as simple a job as I think it is or are there any issues/ pitfalls I should be wary of? Poking around under the bonnet it looks like I only need to undo one bolt and deal with a few electrical connectors or am I missing something?

NorthDevonQubo said:

My dads 2005 Panda has had a problem with a misted up headlamp for a few years. It has always managed to scrape through its MOTs but I suspect this year the headlamp could be a problem as the fogging up has become far worse.

It looks like it would be a simple task to get hold of a replacement headlamp from a breakers and swap it for the old one. Is it as simple a job as I think it is or are there any issues/ pitfalls I should be wary of? Poking around under the bonnet it looks like I only need to undo one bolt and deal with a few electrical connectors or am I missing something?

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Can't you stick half a sock full of salt into the bulb aperture for a day and let that absorb the moisture?

This works for those who've washed their smartphones - i.e. stick yer smartphone in a sock in a sealed jar of salt.

what trim level of panda ?,
there may be "extra's" in the way on higher spec models,
Charlie

I had a similar problem on a Punto MJ. I did ask at the MOT station when I called in to book the MOT and the guy said that it cant fail for a misted headlight.

Periodically I would remove the cover from the bulb holder, remove the bulb holder and insert a rolled up kitchen towel to soak up the worst of the moisture. I would then replace the bulb holder, but leave the rubber cover off to assist the drying out.

According to Haynes Manual, you have to remove the front bumper in order to remove the headlight. Hope this helps. Pete

Thanks for the responses chaps. It is a 1.2 dynamic so no extras like washers etc to get in the way.

Having to remove the bumper sounds rather unappealing. I suspect driving around everywhere with the headlamps on and also trying to dry out the inside of the lamp by taking off the back of the lamp unit may be the most sensible option. If I take off the bumper I can guarantee it won't be going back on straight!

Bulb out, then blast with a hair drier. You might need a short length of garden hose taped on to extend the nozzle.

Once the headlamp is dry, put a little bag of silica gel (the type often supplied with cameras, binoculars, etc) inside the unit. Tie a cotton thread onto the bag, and leave it hanging out through the bulb aperture, then you can pull the bag out and dry it in future.

Been there - done that.
If you want to remove the headlamp, you will need to remove the bumper. As well as the two mounting bolts you can see, there is another hidden below. It is possible to get to it, but it is hard work, and then once undone, the headlamp will not come out past the bumper, it is bigger than the hole it peeps through.

Bumper has several torx screws along the bottom, plus some under the wing, which means releasing the wheelarch liner first. A bit of a pain, but just time consuming rather than difficult.

Remove headlamp, remove bulbs and place lamp in airing cupboard overnight, bulb holes upwards. This should dry it out. Then try to find where the moisture is getting in, probably around the glass to body seal. You can seal this with bath sealant or similar.