Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
Moisture in Headlight
My drivers side headlamp has gained some moisture in it over the recent Cold period. It is only on the silver bit below the main light but the dealer has already warned me this is an MoT fail (due in two weeks)?
As I don't particuarly wish to be replacing a whole xenon unit is there any safe way to dry the unit out or some drainage breathing holes that may be blocked?
Many thanks
Send of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
14th Jan 2009 11:45 am
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
Try a dessicant packet in the headlight, to draw out the moisture, obviously remove it before using it.
Or a hairdryer the morning of the MOT
14th Jan 2009 12:01 pm
blue meanie D3 Decade
Member Since: 04 Aug 2005
Location: Newbury
Posts: 6861
had this on mine, apparently not a warranty job as it's below the reflector and is deemed 'acceptable'
I just took mine out, removed all the bulb access covers and the HV ballast and then just dried it out with a hair dryer ( don't tell the missus ) . the mositure got in to mine via the seal around the xenon ballast cover after a reasonable dunking so it might be worth looking at that whilst you have it out ?
14th Jan 2009 12:01 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50947
MOT failure It depends where the moisture is.
You can dry it out though ....take the unit out ..take out the side light and indicator lamp units ..don't take out the zenon but take the cover off. set up a hairdryer about 6 \ 8 inches away from the back of the unit and put it on a medium heat... monitor it for 30 minutes or so. Then if you have any little bags of silica drop one into the housing via the indicator sidelight access hole ...this should help to keep the moisture to a minimum. 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
14th Jan 2009 12:03 pm
SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
Thanks chaps. i shall dry it out as suggested.....
yes the vehicle did do the Salisbury trip early ecemeber which may have had something to do with it...... I will check the seal thanks BM end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
14th Jan 2009 12:06 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
There is a post somewhere of different types of moisture/condensation in headlamps, and which are warranty failures.
I'd have thought that if it's not a warranty failure (like the lower reflector) then it wouldn't be an MOT failure Disco 5 HSE Lux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peyiqaJrmMU
Mine were both suffering from condensation after some rather deep wading recently, so I removed them at the weekend, took the Xenon and main beam rear covers off, and left them in the airing cupboard overnight. Not sure where the moisture got in, but didn't want it lingering in the housing and causing corrosion. I think there's a couple of breathers on the light assemblies, so wading with water at bonnet level will probably cause a few drips to enter.Previously:
2005 D3 2.7 TDV6 S
1984 90 2.25 Petrol CSW
1992 90 200TDi Hard Top
1995 Discovery ES 300TDi
2003 90 TD5 Truck Cab
14th Jan 2009 12:14 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
Member Since: 19 Aug 2007
Location: So. NH
Posts: 175
That TSB also outlines a repair procedure for non-warrantable repairs (light misting). The silica packet should be installed in the lower side lamp bulb area and can be left in-place. Cover rotates counter-clockwise to unlock.
Click image to enlarge
14th Jan 2009 11:31 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50947
DiscoStu wrote:
Can we sticky this bulletin somewhere? It keeps coming up.
In maint&mods 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
14th Jan 2009 11:55 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) . the mositure got in to mine via the seal around the xenon ballast cover after a reasonable dunking so it might be worth looking at that whilst you have it out ?
It depends where the moisture is.
I will check the seal thanks BM 
