Possible headlight condensation?!

[LANI86]

So it's been raining quite a bit here in Southern California, and my 10 series HID headlights has been fogging up time to time inside the lense

I'm not sure if it's a condensation/leak somewhere, but I can see a little of haze inside the lense and when the car is completely dry, I make out some dried water streaks along the bottom edge of the headlights as well. It's happening on both side of my headlights. I don't see water anywhere so I'm ASSUMING it's from the pressure hose when I wash my car and all of that water may be getting underneath the hood?! I taped up the lid where it covers the low beam light to make sure no water gets through. I don't think it can be the sealant/silicone around the headlights; at least not on both sides.

Do you think it can be due to the climate change? Inside the lense is hot when the lights are on so due to the cold weather outside can it be that the inner lense is fogging up?

[frslee]

Mine shows same hazy inside the housing, but no water inside.

[86Boyz]

mine looks similar with the haziness

[8RZ]

You sure it's not just oxidation on the exterior?

[LANI86]

No, it's not from the exterior. I can clearly make out some dried up water streaks around the bottom edge of the headlight as well. I'm guessing these are happening from the dried fog inside the lenses. Unlike the taillight condensation, I can't seem to make out the cause but can a climate change cause something like this?! I'm already having issues with my taillights and I'm starting to give up on this car if the headlights are leaking too...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by LANI86

No, it's not from the exterior. I can clearly make out some dried up water streaks around the bottom edge of the headlight as well. I'm guessing these are happening from the dried fog inside the lenses. Unlike the taillight condensation, I can't seem to make out the cause but can a climate change cause something like this?! I'm already having issues with my taillights and I'm starting to give up on this car if the headlights are leaking too...

The headlights are not air tight and humid air will get in there. When it gets cooler that moisture will condense and fog a little. All car lights inside housings do this to some extent or another and short of filing the housing with an inert gas and sealing it 100% air tight there is no avoiding it happening over time.
If some condensation inside lights make you give up on a car then you may be in for a disappointing life of automotive ownership.

Oh and LOL at "raining quite a bit" and "cold weather" in Southern California.

[N1rve]

Looks normal to me. Seems like my 10 series head light?

[LANI86]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The headlights are not air tight and humid air will get in there. When it gets cooler that moisture will condense and fog a little. All car lights inside housings do this to some extent or another and short of filing the housing with an inert gas and sealing it 100% air tight there is no avoiding it happening over time.
If some condensation inside lights make you give up on a car then you may be in for a disappointing life of automotive ownership.

Oh and LOL at "raining quite a bit" and "cold weather" in Southern California.

Yea it never rains here in Cali.

I've also gone through a faulty set of tail lights three times! under warranty and now with the headlights so it's a little more than you think. I have gear grinds and chirping as most FRS do, but it's certainly not "normal."

You're right; I guess I'm being dramatic but the car is certainly a handful.
I knew it before I even bought the car so I guess I have to deal with it.

Thanks for helping a noobie.

[LANI86]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Looks normal to me. Seems like my 10 series head light?

I can't make out the water streaks on the photo but there is more "character" to the condensation I see in my headlights. I can only get a glimpse with my own physical eyes. It's fine as long as it doesn't moisten up my entire headlights.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by LANI86

Yea it never rains here in Cali.

I've also gone through a faulty set of tail lights three times! under warranty and now with the headlights so it's a little more than you think. I have gear grinds and chirping as most FRS do, but it's certainly not "normal."

You're right; I guess I'm being dramatic but the car is certainly a handful.
I knew it before I even bought the car so I guess I have to deal with it.

Thanks for helping a noobie.

Never had a gear grind, mine only chirps when I put the wrong gas in at a high temperate (a normal temperature for you I guess) and through 3 Canadian winters and the massive year round rainfall we get being in between all the great lakes I have minor condensation in both tail lights twice. I can never really wrap my head around why some have so many issues and some don't. It is very rare to hear about a 15 that has the tail light issue much less three times. Cars do not stay new forever though and all these things and more will happen more and more every year. You can move on to a different car but all you will do is change the problems for new ones. Between my wife and I this is my tenth new car so I guess I have become immune to the concerns of watching it slowly degrade like every car that get's driven does.

[LANI86]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Never had a gear grind, mine only chirps when I put the wrong gas in at a high temperate (a normal temperature for you I guess) and through 3 Canadian winters and the massive year round rainfall we get being in between all the great lakes I have minor condensation in both tail lights twice. I can never really wrap my head around why some have so many issues and some don't. It is very rare to hear about a 15 that has the tail light issue much less three times. Cars do not stay new forever though and all these things and more will happen more and more every year. You can move on to a different car but all you will do is change the problems for new ones. Between my wife and I this is my tenth new car so I guess I have become immune to the concerns of watching it slowly degrade like every car that get's driven does.

No doubt Tcoat; I totally agree with you. I always find the board useful with skillful people like yourself. I know very little mechanical stuff so I have to rely on the forum. I only bought the car cause I like how it looks and how it drives. It's a good learning experience for me. Thanks again.

[LANI86]

So I've managed to capture the fog inside the lense. You can see a bunch of cloudiness developing inside. When the HID is turned off you can't see it unless if you look at it from an angle, but it's prominent when the lights are turned on. It's happening on both sides and I can't seem to figure out where it's leaking from.

[tobin]

Didn't they only make the 10 Series in 2013? Your signature lists your car as a 2015...are they aftermarket headlights?

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by LANI86

So I've managed to capture the fog inside the lense. You can see a bunch of cloudiness developing inside. When the HID is turned off you can't see it unless if you look at it from an angle, but it's prominent when the lights are turned on. It's happening on both sides and I can't seem to figure out where it's leaking from.

Can you circle the area?