How To Get Moisture Out Of Headlights: 3 Most Common Reasons And Easy Ways To Fix Them

Condensation in headlamps may be a vexing issue to work with. This haziness not only affects the volume of light the piece produces but can also harm the part itself. If you’re in the same situation and want to know how to get moisture out of headlights, this Driverevolve’s post is for you. 

Why Do Headlights Get Foggy? 

There are 3 primary culprits behind moisture within your headlights. 

Headlight Vent

The first scenario is a clogged moisture outlet. This is the best situation since you won’t have to break the gasket and fix the headlamps if you follow the steps correctly.

A clogged moisture valve leads your headlights to load with steam since condensation accumulates when the halogen bulbs get hot and cool down. And with nowhere for the moisture to escape, you have water in the headlights.

Headlight Seal

The second cause involves a broken headlight gasket. If this is the scenario, you must either fix or change your headlamp.

Damage to Headlight

Finally, a broken or shattered headlamp assembly can be the last potential culprit. If this is your situation, you’ll have to either be inventive with fixes or, more likely, buy another headlamp unit.

How Moisture Affects Your Headlights 

Condensation can be problematic, especially while driving in the dark. Moisture stuck within the gasket, along with dirt and dew outside your headlamp housing, can dull your headlights or even develop blind patches.

Headlight condensation will prevent you from passing your car check in several countries. This might be due to a breach in the gasket surrounding your headlamp, allowing moisture to penetrate the area behind the lens.

How To Get Moisture Out Of Headlights

You must remove any dampness from your headlamp unit. There are several approaches to this, and it all relies on how the moisture enters and the amount of water that gets in. 

Cracked Headlight Assembly

To begin, consider the worst-case situation: a broken headlamp unit. We’re not discussing a broken gasket or a clogged valve here, but rather a complete crack. In this situation, you’ll have to change the whole headlamp unit to keep moisture out in the future.

You could use a hairdryer to dry it all out (this is how to remove moisture from car headlight without opening). However, this method is 50/50 – we can’t tell if this succeeds or not. Even if it works, you’ll find yourself struggling with the same issue the next time there’s early fog, drizzle, or other moisture.

Bad Seal

This is noteworthy because repairing the seal is not always simple. To begin, remove the headlamp unit and carefully pull the unit away from the gasket.

Begin by drying everything within. Then, either obtain a hot glue machine and apply a thin glue layer around the whole unit, or, if the problem is too severe, buy another headlamp gasket from an auto parts retailer.

However, most headlamps don’t come with gaskets, so you’ll have to install them yourself. Give it your best shot and perform everything correctly the first time if you want a sealed closure.

Blocked Moisture Vent

If this is the case, try removing the dirt from the headlamp rather than shoving it inside. You’ll have to remove your gasket to clear it all out if anything is trapped within the headlamp unit.

How To Prevent Further Moistures  

It is impossible to avoid it completely. In fact, most car handbooks state the same thing. Humid summertime and cold wintertime nights offer ideal settings for this problem, which many car drivers dislike. However, you can still lower the risk.

The best way to stop extra condensation is to have a decent gasket. Various materials are available to assist you in DIYing a watertight gasket. Firstly, look for any crack or dirt on the gasket.

If required, apply a layer of adhesive glue surrounding the manufacturer’s seal position to prevent moisture from entering the system. Change the gasket if your housing has an interchangeable gasket. Examine the O-rings that cover your headlamp unit’s wiring contacts, bulbs, vents, and critical parts.

Consider getting a few products to help develop a tight gasket. Silicone spray is excellent for safeguarding your O-rings, and you may apply silicone sealing gel to fix any cracks or broken areas of the gasket between the lens and the headlight casing.

It’s time to replace your headlamp once you’ve thoroughly examined and sealed everything. Ensure that the angle is correct and that every fitting and wiring contact is securely fastened.

Check that your light is operating correctly and shining effectively. Examine your headlamp regularly for symptoms that it has not been securely sealed.

Are Fan Or Fanless Led Headlights Better In Reducing Condensation?

Fan headlamps are better. As mentioned above, trapped heat meeting rapid cooldown is the most common reason for condensation in headlights. Using a Fan headlamp, the fan quickly removes heat from the lighting unit, reducing trapped heat.

Is It Time For A Replacement?

It depends on where the problem lies.

If you notice extra humidity in your headlamps than usual, or if you find more moisture within the casing after a downpour, you may have a broken headlamp. In this scenario, it’s a must to replace your headlight. 

Another case is that you have an issue with the rubber seals that secure it to the body. You can change these gaskets in most cases separately, but if your headlamp casing is cracked, you’ll probably need to change the whole assembly.

How much do headlights cost? If you change the complete headlamp unit, the components typically cost $75 to $200. And, if you drive your vehicle to an auto repair facility, you’ll most likely spend from $250 to $700 in total.

Wrapping Up 

Now you know how to get moisture out of headlights! Not only does condensation in headlamps affect your driving safety, but it also harms the lighting assembly in the long run. Thus, it’s advisable to deal with the problem as soon as possible and take preventive measures to prevent that phenomenon in the future!

For more car maintenance advice, refer to our Fun Driving section! Good luck!