Technical Misted Headlight
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Technical
Misted Headlight
Have you checked to see that all the access covers are in place on the back of the unit?
I have/had the same problem with the passenger one when the weather was colder and washed the wheels with hot water. Then it happened again when the car was hot and washed with cold water. I looked if the headlight has any draining pipe, but with no success. Checked the back covers, they were all tighten, but I loosen and tighten them back, had no problems after. In those moments, to get rid of the condense, I started the car and switched the lights on.
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Take the light unit off. As described above check all seals and covers. Also check around where the lens seals to the body. If in doubt reseal with small amounts of sealant.
To properly dry it out, remove all bulbs, place lamp in airing cupboard overnight, bulb holes upwards. Refit the next day when warm and dry. If you've fixed the leaks, all should be well. Every expense spared.
To properly dry it out, remove all bulbs, place lamp in airing cupboard overnight, bulb holes upwards. Refit the next day when warm and dry. If you've fixed the leaks, all should be well. Every expense spared.
I thought I'd managed to fix the problem but it's back with a vengence today. Probably something to do with all the rain 
Looks like I'll need to remove it, dry out and reseal as portland_bill has suggested.
Has anyone taken one out completely and would you be able to tell me what's involved please?
Looks like I'll need to remove it, dry out and reseal as portland_bill has suggested.
Has anyone taken one out completely and would you be able to tell me what's involved please?
Sorry to hear that man. To gain access to the headlights you need to dismantle the front grill and bumper. To dismantle the grill you need to take off the plastic cover from above, then remove the grill and after you can remove the bumper which has screws up, sideways and down also. Good Luck !
P.S. if you take the headlight off, be sure to make some signs at the screws which should help you when you mount it back, or else you will need to re adjust your headlight low beam.
P.P.S. if you take off the driver side headlight, when re mounting, be sure to plug in the wiring connector first, because if you mount the headlight without it, after this you will have to remove the airbox to plug in the connector.
P.S. if you take the headlight off, be sure to make some signs at the screws which should help you when you mount it back, or else you will need to re adjust your headlight low beam.
P.P.S. if you take off the driver side headlight, when re mounting, be sure to plug in the wiring connector first, because if you mount the headlight without it, after this you will have to remove the airbox to plug in the connector.
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It does sound like a lot of work. Can't you just leave the light on for a bit, with the car stopped? It won't get warm while moving, but should if stopped. I can't remember - does the Croma have a parking light feature? You could even chuck a folded up blanket over the lens, while closely monitoring it for overheating of course - ideally with a thermometer probe.
Check the access hatches on the back. It's possible to hook them on at the top while they're hanging open at the bottom. I think there are three clips around the perimeter - you can hook it on the top one and it will stay there but gape open at the bottom. You need to unscrew it and get your hand right down the back of it and give it a good wiggling shove until it feels nice and positive as you tighten it.
Check the access hatches on the back. It's possible to hook them on at the top while they're hanging open at the bottom. I think there are three clips around the perimeter - you can hook it on the top one and it will stay there but gape open at the bottom. You need to unscrew it and get your hand right down the back of it and give it a good wiggling shove until it feels nice and positive as you tighten it.
I was hoping that it would be something like disconnect the lightbulb, undo a couple of bolts and get ready to catch
it's pretty badly misted up so I'm going to need to do something and I really hope that I can find a loose cover or something rather than having to go through process of taking what sounds like the front end of the car apart.
As always thanks again. At least I know what I'm taking on if I have to take it out completely.
it's pretty badly misted up so I'm going to need to do something and I really hope that I can find a loose cover or something rather than having to go through process of taking what sounds like the front end of the car apart.
As always thanks again. At least I know what I'm taking on if I have to take it out completely.
All headlamps will have air inside, so will vary in moisture content with the weather, but any visible misting must mean water is getting in. The only sure way of fixing it is to remove the lamp and seal the leak point. The longer it is left, the more damage to the reflector will occur, and soon you will need a new lamp. A few hours taking the car apart and sealing the lamp is cheaper than a few hours taking it apart to fit a new one.
i'd try putting a couple of little packs of silicone gel like you get with new shoes or electrical items in side back of light unit, until you have time to do a proper fix.
It is possible, you have 50% chances that it might be a lose cover. At the beginning of the last spring I had same problem, the headlight got very misted after a rain and the after washing only the rims. After removing the covers and fit them back the problem never appeared, well at least until July when I broken the headlamp and I had to replace it. And I had the same problem with a fog lamp almost in the same time which had a damaged cover. After fixing the cover, problem was fixed. Like dave also said, better investigate and repair now, than change with a new part later and like I said earlier, you have 50% chances that it might be a minor problem. Good luck !
Did you checked the covers ?
Tried drying it out but it's misted up again already.
Guess there's nothing else for it but to take it out and change it
If there is acutal water in the bottom of the unit, one way to dry it out properly is to remove and place in boiler room over night.
Sounds like ur headlight unit is not air tight. U need to re seal it. Get a way to blow air into one of the access holes at the back, u ll have to remove the light and get some fairy water mix. Pump air and spray soapy water all over headlight section at a time going over all the joins to see if u get bubbles. Or use smoke machine. U have to re seal it or buy new one. One is cheaper but needs time and elbow grease than the other option. GL
They're not supposed to be air tight sealed units, they've all got breathers on them.
ive got 2 holes about the size of a 2p coin in my back covers from when i tried hids, been meaning to fit grommets but not got round to it, my lights don't mist up.
I wasn't talking about the back! Front had to be water tight thou.
It doesn't because ur seal isn't broken Dave. I did hid retro fit and old seal didn't work all the way round the unit. Was getting water build up. That's probably when driving water goes around the edges and gets in through the poor seal. Had to pump air and use soapy water to see where but then ended up opening the units up anyway, cleaning old sealant out ( painful job ) then use rubber head light sealant I bought on eBay from US special seal designed for re sealing headlights when retro fitting. £22 with postage. Now it's fine.
