C300Kid

Last night I was driving on a very poorly lit back road and I drove through a huge puddle that I didn't see in time to avoid. I noticed this morning that both headlights have some internal condensation..even the eyebrow portion. What's the best way to get rid of this? I've never seen this before.

My driver side rearview mirror turn signal has been filled with condensation for a while now, I just haven't bothered to drive to the dealer to get it fixed..but now this? hmm..

C300Kid

I just put the headlights on and I'm letting the car sit for a while running. The condensation seems to be clearing up slightly. Hopefully 15 mins or so will cure it..

C300Kid

So it went completely away today..then I just went to the gym (its not raining but still very damp/humid out) and the headlights are all clouded up again. WTF

RLE

Put on your "who, me?" innocent face and ask your dealer why the lights are fogging up. Don't mention the dousing.

C300Kid

Its just a little bizarre that the car is 9 months old and this issue appeared out of nowhere on both headlights. I've driven through much worse conditions than this before. I dont feel like having to deal with this on a 2009 Mercedes.

RLE

Also, lose the whining when at the dealer.

whiteongrey

Probably a leak / seepage from the holes you had to drill into the headlamp dust caps for the aftermarket HID kit you installed.

C300Kid

i sealed it all up with silicone when i did that..plus i'd assume if that were the issue i would have had issues before this? i've had that kit for a while.

it went from no condensation at all to..boom...headlights are filled with water..overnight

whkento

That might do it. I've not had this problem.

JimPap

Step 1, see if MB will fix it under warranty.

Step 2, if that doesn't work, remove the bulbs and stuff paper towels in there till you've got it all dried out.

C300Kid

I should mention that its not the projectors that are filled with condensation, its the actual housing.

joshg1001

open up the covers for the bulbs and stick a blow dryer in there, might need tubing

C300Kid

tubing?

I left the hood open in the garage and I just went out and looked at the condensation is all gone..we'll see if it comes back tomorrow.

Mr Purple

Hi there,

I've just a similar occurance, but nothing to do with a puddle. there were no mitigating circumstances in my case.

Popped along to the Dealer and they apologised a lot saying they would just like to replace the unit, but MB HQ apparently claim this problem doesnt exist.


So jist of conversation is that MB deny the problem exists. i.e. the fallacy argument, but they may replace it under goodwill

hence, the dealer has taken photos and it sending them off to MB under 'goodwill' despite car being under warranty.

Unless of course MB call it goodwill so they can still claim problem doesnt exist.

Car has Xenons and Intelligent Light System if that is any help. The problem only exists on the drivers side (right hand side). The other lens is clear with no issues.

Apparently, the way Mb diagnose this is to leave the car running with all beam lights on for 20 minutes. I have tried the 20 minutes with both lights on (full beams), and it does make a difference so you may want to try that. Suprisingly Dealership didnt say or try that. Not enough of a difference in my case though, water is still visisble, so still going to wait to hear from the dealership

FrankW

headlights may look sealed, but driving over heavy puddle of water can still cause water to get in.

take off the main bulb cover and take a blow dryer to it. make sure everything is dry. it'll definitely take longer than 20min. I had the same issue on one of the bi-xenon on my 203 and that did the trick.

C300Kid

That's exactly what mine looked like. I took the covers off the back of the headlights and left the hood open in my garage overnight and the water disappeared by morning.

Royce118

This just happened on mine as well. It just suddenly happened....

C300Kid

Mine went away and never came back..do you have aftermarket hids?

OneOfaKindTrini

Definately try taking it to the dealership, but do you have aftermarket HID's? If you do they may claim MB-USA isn't liable for that because you compromised the headlight from drilling a hole in the dust cap.

jon3sh

When it gets colder you condensation will appear again trust me its common problem when you install after market HID and seal not properly installed. It occurs when air has more water vapor than it can hold. Excess water vapor (a gas) condenses into water droplets. Air may be cooled until it reaches a temperature, known as the dew point, below which it is unable to hold all of its moisture in the form of vapor.

Royce118

No I do not have aftermarket HIDs. The only thing I have is the Diamond Visions and Mike's LEDs but they have been in there for a long period of time.

JimPap

Just now noticed that you're talking about the headlights and not the fog lights.

I had a similar experience with the fogs.

That must have been one heck of a puddle for you to get that much water into the headlights.

Royce118

Got it sorted out. Replaced under warranty.

masterstudent

Looks pretty bad. You should reseal your light housing.

Glyn M Ruck

That's exactly what should be done by Benz if there has been no DIY fiddling. Changing lamps etc is OK. Drilling housings is not.