Headlights & Condensation

[BAIKAR]

I spent 10 years in the motor trade with various manufacturers, VW included and this problem is nothing new. It has always been in car headlights but no one ever noticed misting before as all headlight glass was used to focus the headlight beam and so you couldn't see right into the lamp unit that well. Then the manufacturers started producing headlights that had clear lenses and used the back reflector to focus the light and suddenly everyone with these new style lights complained of moisture in the lamp unit.

In the beginning lamps were being changed under warranty but as the complaints were investigated by the factory they issued instructions to no longer change under warranty as it was perfectly normal. For every manufacturer this is the same.

Its natural for the moisture in the air to condense on the inside of the clear lense. With headlights switched on this will eventually disappear but as the lamp units are not sealed can come back due to atmospheric conditions again, wet, moist and high humidity.

I think the dealer who changed them in sweden made a mistake and will have the warranty claim thrown back at them unpaid. No dealer will or should change these under warranty unless they feel like paying for the lamps themselves.

I hope this can be finally put to bed for our group at least but will no doubt continue to be debated on other forums.

[sciroccorocket]

mine have done this from day 1

[silver130]

Mine misted up for the first few weeks and have not done so since then.

[danichro]

open the back plate of the headlight throught the engine bay for a few days and the problem will fix soon

[Robbie73]

Just to say I have no condensation in the lamps at all now.

Seems to just go after 2 weeks or so.

[seth246]

Hi folks,

I took delivery of my new roc 27 October. As I've been looking thru the site I noticed a couple of people had problems with their rear screen not working properly due to broken elements. I've found that same fault with mine but it looks more like damage when the dealer put their badge in!! - but still I'm going to take it back for that aswell. However I've noticed that in both the car's headlights, the glass has areas of damp/mist in the corners nearest the grill. I can't believe that a car costing nearly £25k should have this kind of a problem. Surely if it is left, overtime it could build up affecting the lights efficency and/or electrical issues.

Prior to this car I had an Astra SRi XP which had the same problem with its tail lights. With that it got so bad condensation was hanging off the inside of the light glass!!!

If it's just mine, then I'll have to argue it with the dealer if they get arsey, but if not what the hell? Do manufacturers not test to check for this kind of issue. It could be classed as a safety problem and how about when the car is due its MOT in 3 years - I'm betting damp in the headlight could be a fail?

Other than that I really love the car. It's such an effortless car to drive. I point and it goes weeeeee

ps When it stops raining and blowing a gale (if ever) I'll try to get some pics up as I got it in Night Blue.

[RW1]

Hi seth246,

Welcome aboard.

Headlights. If it is a light misting, then you find it will go. Had the same this time last year. It stopped appearing after a few weeks. If it stays and starts beading, then may be a leak but I doubt both would be leaking.

Had it with all my headlights where the lamp unit is not fully sealed, ie. you can replace the lamp bulb. Glass or clear plastic front lens/cover.

Heated rear window, they will have to replace the rear glass window. Not very careful of them!.

Chris.

[seth246]

HI Chris,

Thanks for the reply. I'll just keep my eyes on them. It's not going to stop me having fun. I'll chase them about the rear window when I call in about something else.

[langley182]

The headlight units are not sealed or airtight from the factory. They have a breather hole in each side. A White plastic fitting if u have a look.

[Nighthawk]

Hi guys, have had my new CW R for 54 hours so far and am loving it.

I've noticed that the front lights always seem to have a small patch of condensation in the inside of the glass, which rarely dries up. Is this normal? Will it settle down, or does it need to go back to the dealers?

Thanks, Simon

[Cuprabob]

Condensation in the headlights is normal

[Nighthawk]

Condensation in the headlights is normal

Thanks for the quick reply. Will it go away over time then, or is this just a bad design?

[RW1]

or does it need to go back to the dealers?

As Cuprabob says, its normal.

Just check the rubber caps (3 off each headlight) are seated fully home.

Xenon Lamp Caps.JPG

It will go away to some extent but will always be there if the air is damp, headlights have been on and the temperature is cold enough like switching off in the evening.

Dealers will not do anything as they can't claim.

If the condensation increases and you see water in the bottom of the headlight, then that is more likely a leak and they will fix it under warranty.

It was more pronounced on mine in the first couple of weeks and now I hardly see it (don't have headlight DRLs). Sometimes get it but it soon clears. Give it month before you judge it further.

C.

[Nighthawk]

Thank you.

[lloydie63]

Hi all, I have a lot of condensation in the NS headlight unit, I cannot see a crack anywhere on the unit so I'm guessing it's a sealing issue, how can i get rid of the condensation would this be a warrenty issue should a crack/split not be found, Is a simple job to remove the unit for closer inpection?


Cheers

[carlpea]

The first thing I would check is if the rubber bungs at the rear of the headlight unit are fitted correctly.

[lloydie63]

Yes checked that and all seem Ok,. Cheers

[Cuprabob]

My last 4 VAG cars, including my Rocco, have all suffered with a little condensation inside the headlight lenses especially in cold weather or if the car has just been washed. It's a common issue and some people actually put Silica Gel inside them to reduce it. It just something you learn to live with.

[lloydie63]

Ok, but this is quite a lot of condensation, the bulbs are not visable before I turn the headlamps on due to the amount of condensation, I may go down the silca gel root, and take it from there if it returns. the bloody rain we've had lately wouldn't have helped.

[RW1]

would this be a warrenty issue should a crack/split not be found, Is a simple job to remove the unit for closer inpection?

Being the nearside, the area will suffer more from moisture with this weather with the left front wheel running in the road gutter. Seen so many problems related to this front left area especially electrical.

Warranty... only if they can find something.

What you describe can be normal but seeing as the right is not as bad, there could be a leak.

To take the headlight out.......

- Switch the Headlights ON against a garage door or wall and mark the beam position (For checks after re-installation).
. Mark the horizontal beam line and the upward "tick" area line slope.
. (Obviously done in early evening light.)

- Ignition & Light Switch OFF. (Battery can stay connected)

- Put protective tape on the bumper area below and in front of the headlight to protect the paint finish.

- Do the same with tape around the metal Front Wing that sticks out over the Headlight unit clear lens cover to protect the paint.

- Find the multi-pin connection at the back of the Headlight unit in the engine bay and disconnect. (Orange circle)

- Now looking at the top "banana-ish" shaped black metal plate, remove the 5 bolts circled in the photo below. (Red circles)

- Remove the "banana-ish plate to reveal the forward lower mounting screw (Forward Green circle), remove.

- In the engine bay side of the lamp rear black body backshell lower down, remove the rear bolt. (Rear Green circle)

Headlight Mounting.JPG

- The Headlight is now free to draw forward over the Front Bumper, taking car not to score the protective taped areas and damage the paintwork.

------------------------------------

- Reverse of above to fit.

Bolt Torque settings:

- Metal Plate 3 small bolts - 8Nm.
- Metal Plare 2 large bolts - 4.5Nm.
- Lower part of Headlight - 4.5Nm.


- When installed and electrically connected, switch on the headlights to check working and also alignment with the markings on the wall.

-------------------------------------

When the Headlight is off the Scirocco, check all around but pay attention to the seam where the clear front cover meets the black body backshell for seam damage or a clip loose/broken. If you can, leave the unit in the house to air with the 3 rubber bungs removed for 24 hours.

C.