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Headlight Water/Mist


GreenMachine

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Well its been bugging me for a week or so now (actually I think it began just after it was in for service when I went threw changing the plugs etc). My headlight on the drivers side has moisture in it. Whens it nice and warm or the lights have been on it, its really a mist in there, but as it cools it condenses on the lower part where the parking lamps are.

It looks like its a closed unit so that means there is a crack somewhere I suppose or maybe a headlight has come lose or something.

Will take a closer look later but was wondering what your experiances are with it. (did a forum search and the sevilles seem to have this problem with thier rear lights)

The Green's Machines

1998 Deville - high mileage, keeps on going, custom cat-back exhaust

2003 Seville - stock low mileage goodness!

2004 Grand Prix GTP CompG - Smaller supercharger pulley, Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Dyno tune, etc

1998 Firebird Formula - 408 LQ9 Stroker motor swap and all sorts of go fast stuff

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There is indeed a crack or hole somewhere, letting moisture in. Perhaps around the seam. My '92 Deville had the same problem. First time it was the lens seam. That was replaced under warranty. Much later I had the same problem again. This time it was a bullseye hole from a stone. I removed the bulb and used a shop vac to evacuate the moisture then sealed it with a dab of clear silicone.

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  • 3 months later...

been awhile since I visited this topic, this time I have some pictures [click to make bigger]:

Headlight itself:

IPB Image

Lower "drain" location-Drivers Side [fogged light]:

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Lower "Drain" location-Passenger Side

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Upper "Drain" Passenger Side

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Closeup of "drain" assembly-top contains some sort of filter:

IPB Image IPB Image

Upper "Drain" Removed-Drivers Side:

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Lower "Drain"-Drivers Side-"Disected", lower has extra "filter" piece and no filter in "elbow"

IPB Image

Anyone know the significance of these things? It appears its designed to allow the warm air to rise out and the cool air to come in, but I can't figure out how to actually get the headlight out, the FSM shows theirs a screw behind the lens and I have no idea how to get that lens/reflector backing off. I'll have another closer look but its kinda annoying that when my regular lights (and drls) are on that it fogs up the high beam side...which makes the left highbeam not so effective.

EDIT:pictures updated

The Green's Machines

1998 Deville - high mileage, keeps on going, custom cat-back exhaust

2003 Seville - stock low mileage goodness!

2004 Grand Prix GTP CompG - Smaller supercharger pulley, Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Dyno tune, etc

1998 Firebird Formula - 408 LQ9 Stroker motor swap and all sorts of go fast stuff

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no one have any info regarding these? Times like this when I wish I knew the guru you guys all talk about :P

The Green's Machines

1998 Deville - high mileage, keeps on going, custom cat-back exhaust

2003 Seville - stock low mileage goodness!

2004 Grand Prix GTP CompG - Smaller supercharger pulley, Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Dyno tune, etc

1998 Firebird Formula - 408 LQ9 Stroker motor swap and all sorts of go fast stuff

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My cousin just bought a '98 (I think) and had the same problem. I just peeled back the rubber or partially removed it and sealed the lens seam with clear silicone caulk. Then let the heat evaporate the moisture out the vent. Once you seal the seem and prevent any more moisture from getting in, the moisture that is in there should evaporate as the bulds heat the air in the lense. Not sure if I removed the assembly or not (Boy my memory is bad. It was only an month or two ago), but I think I did. There were only 2 bolts as I recall and were obvious and easy to get at.

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Have had the same problem living in a moist part of the country. Time and dry weather will clear it up. (But over time, the lense will become permanatly fogged) I have searched over and over for the source of mosture. If the drain tubes are clear, obviously there is a source of moisture. I did find the seal around the bulb and wireing on the back of the lense has a rubber double seal that on my STS has broken down with cracks and all. This has been I believe my access to mosture. I have not repalced them yet because the lenses have not fogged in the past while. I would try this first, (the part has got to be cheap) after that, it might be the seal all around the lense. (How the heck do ya spell lense any ways?) This would be very pricey.

Rick

2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong!

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Lense is a perfectly correct spelling :D

I have found that google is a great spelling aid, you search for 'fenolic' and it replies politely, "Did you mean: phenolic"

Spelling is the least of my worries at this point in my life. :D I would rather speak face to face. If you can't understand me at this point, one of us has way too much to drink. (This is not a shot at The Fred) ;)

I know it does cost more for Spell check to be attached to posts, but I do enjoy the phonitic spelling world. It is life. It is real. Life is short. Enjoy it as it is. It's much more fun. :D

BTW.. Thanks for the conformation on spelling rmac.

Happy Hollidays.

Rickster

2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong!

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A great dictionary resource to bookmark:

http://www.onelook.com/

The correct spelling is "lens."

Regards,

Warren

EDIT: A really great general reference source is: http://www.refdesk.com/ .

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There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises

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Yep, "lens" is the proper standard spelling, but "lense" is an acceptable variant spelling that I thought might pass muster, perhaps not ...

:huh:

'jus don't tell my wife I said it was ok!

Apologies! My reply was a little terse. It wasn't intended to denigrate you personally. I just got sort of carried away with my enjoyment for the onelook site and my feeling that the whole darned world needed to know about it.

Something similar happened with my EDIT.

Next time I see your wife I'll keep my mouth shut. Promise. :P

Regards,

Warren

Posted Image

There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises

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didn't take anything personal ... but, you better watch out if you wind up next to me at a red light in my black 95 etc ...

well, as long as it's got gas ... (view the image in my sig) ... and how long you been seeing my wife?

:lol:

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