Two Scoops

So I was changing one of my headlight bulbs: drove to the parts store, twisted the block off from behind the bulb to take the bulb out, left the block off and brought the bulb inside to match, came out 5 minutes later to put the new one in and my headlight looked like the picture. Any ideas?

bamberger_1

Maybe you didn't notice before that the polycarbonate lens turned brownish already???? The color change has nothing to do with the bulb change. The headlight is not a sealed type, it make no difference if the bulb is out or not. My guess is that the UV light has worn the polycarbonate surface over the years. There is polish on the market to clean the outer surface of the lenses. I have never done it, but you'll find information on YouTube

Two Scoops

It's highly unlikely that it had already turned brown and I didn't notice, as it affects the headlight's colour when it's turned on. I will check again to ensure it's not an outer lens discolouration, although I'm quite sure I checked at the time this happened. Will report back if I discover anything.

Fried Chicken

Only explanation would be fresh air getting into the headlights and somehow reacting with them to turn it brown.

Unfortunately that means you'll have to either clean the lens, or replace it entirely. Interesting phenomenon.

bamberger_1

As I said before, the headlight is not sealed, and normal air always has access to the inner assembly. There is no "quick" (5 min) chemical reaction, by removing the bulb. You can check if the brown stuff is on the inner surface of the lens, by try to wipe it off through the bulb hole, wihba "long Q-Tip"

tusabes

You didn’t notice it . Why were you changing the bulb ? Because it burned out right ? When bulbs fail they can cAuse this when it burned out

so it’s not like it was always brown and you didn’t see it , it just turned brown when the old bulb burned out

bamberger_1

How should a burnt bulb color the inside of the lens??? Did it explode and set the housing on fire? If the bulb just stopped working it would never discolor anything.

tusabes

Many times they emit smoke when they finally burn out which would discolor the lens

bamberger_1

If that's the case, then it shall be possible to just spray the inner lens surface with brake cleaner, to remove the "smoke traces"

Two Scoops

**SOLVED**

Thanks for the input fellas, turns out it was on the outside after all; I somehow didn't notice it before the bulb burned out... or when I took the bulb out haha. Just wanted to update to avoid other people thinking they might have this problem. Thanks again!

wallyp

Thanks for the update!