Water condensation in headlight, any fix?

[rs5nightrider]

Hey guys. I have a water condensate (actually seems like dried deposits already) in one of my headlights. Has anyone encountered something like this? Any fix out there except for buying a new headlight?

[Sgibb16]

[icutrauma1]

Read this, different model but may be same principal if o rings are still used. If so, you can go to home depot and get a container with multiple sizes to replace.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Code-Bi-Xenons

[mopaNi]

If it's dirty moisture that dried dust on there you're screwed. If it's moisture just trapped in there you can pull all the bulbs and then hook a vacuum up to one of the sockets. Try to pull all the damp air out.

That removes the moisture but doesn't fix the problem though. I haven't seen the back of an Audi light yet but I assume you just need new orings and or boots.

[HazeMyth]

Ecodes

[rs5nightrider]

If it's dirty moisture that dried dust on there you're screwed. If it's moisture just trapped in there you can pull all the bulbs and then hook a vacuum up to one of the sockets. Try to pull all the damp air out.

That removes the moisture but doesn't fix the problem though. I haven't seen the back of an Audi light yet but I assume you just need new orings and or boots.

It seems to be dried dust or similar stuff.
I was thinking, maybe If I manage to take the headlight apart and clean it, I could place one of those moisture absorbing bags you get in shoes somewhere..?

[rs5nightrider]

Ecodes

I never quite understood what the Ecodes everyone is talking about actually are. Can you shed some light?
Double post my bad

[mopaNi]

Desiccant packs can do wonders. When I did my headlights in the TL I upgraded the pack it had with one from an iMac box that was 10x the size.

But that DOESN'T do anything for dirt and that doesn't fix the problem at all.

You're better off just buying a new light if it's dirt in there.

Edit: Ecodes are euro versions of OE lights. They don't have DOT requirements so they don't have amber turn signals and the projector lenses are clear not fresnel so it's a tad brighter and a lot cleaner cutoff.

[HazeMyth]

I never quite understood what the Ecodes everyone is talking about actually are. Can you shed some light?
Double post my bad

Oh, I was just poking fun at the relentless ecode comments. They're euro lights. No amber markers, slightly better lighting output.

[rs5nightrider]

Desiccant packs can do wonders. When I did my headlights in the TL I upgraded the pack it had with one from an iMac box that was 10x the size.

But that DOESN'T do anything for dirt and that doesn't fix the problem at all.

You're better off just buying a new light if it's dirt in there.

Edit: Ecodes are euro versions of OE lights. They don't have DOT requirements so they don't have amber turn signals and the projector lenses are clear not fresnel so it's a tad bright and a lot cleaner cutoff.

I dont actually think it is dirt. Seems to be water that left deposits after it dried. Headlight is so expensive damn. I will try and take it apart once it gets warmer around here.

@HazeMyth
Ahh my car is Euro and dont have the ambers

[mopaNi]

Deposits = dirt. Dust, calcium, salt, whatever. You'll never be able to get it out of there unless you crack open the headlight. Which is doable.

And I didn't see amber so that's why I didn't give the obligatory ecode comment. Glad I held back.

[Beast]

I dont actually think it is dirt. Seems to be water that left deposits after it dried. Headlight is so expensive damn. I will try and take it apart once it gets warmer around here.

@HazeMyth
Ahh my car is Euro and dont have the ambers

don't try opening them up yourself. Take it to a good shop that knows how to customize lights and seal them properly.... Would be a good time to maybe paint the insides satin black

To the ppl saying ecodes, he's already in Europe lol


Also if you still have warranty the dealer might replace it, this is most def a defect with your lights.

[mopaNi]

I agree. Considering the age and the trim level I imagine Audi will take care of it.

[naudical]

Audi has a TSB about the headlight condensation essentially only saying that its normal....

"The headlight circulation system allows air from the outside to flow through the headlights. This open waterprotected
ventilation system (which is needed for pressure compensation) creates different climate zones in the
headlight: very warm areas, where the lens is warmed up by the light, and relatively cool areas, where the lens is
cooled down by the airflow.
Considerable differences in humidity and temperature between the inside and the outside of the headlights, even
when the car is being driven, can create condensation. While condensation is most common in cold and wet
weather, it can also occur after a car wash, after the engine or front end has been steam-cleaned, or when the
temperature changes. Condensation is more visible on lenses made of clear glass than on lenses with patterns.
The moisture does not affect the headlight function or light performance, and it does not lead to corrosion or
damage of other headlight parts."


"Service
For headlights, the affected lens surface should be clear after approximately 10 minutes of light operation,
although the entire lens surface may not clear. The clearing process depends on the outside temperature and the
humidity.
• When water droplets have formed on the inside of the lens or water has collected at the bottom of the light
assembly, check for leaking seals and/or cracks in the lens or light assembly. If no damage is found, use
compressed air (less than 30 PSI) to clear the lens.
• On light assemblies with LED lights (such as S6 daytime running lights) the LED lights do not emit enough heat
to clear the moisture from the lens. Only the pressure difference of the ventilation system provides the air flow
to clear the moisture on the inside of the lens. The design of the ventilation system on these types of lights will
ensure the lens is clear after a few miles have been driven."