Vent Caps on Projector Headlights

MurderedOutHEMI · Jun 1, 2017

So I previously had a set of LED lights that wouldn't fit under my dust covers on my projector headlights, resulting in moisture entering the housing. I've since dried the lights out with a hairdryer. I'm going back to normal halogens in the mean time and am just wondering if I should leave the vent caps closed tight or leave one or all of them open in each projector?

Ram Man · Jun 2, 2017

This video will show you exactly what to do with the vents!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng5S8WmY6pQ

Sir John · Jun 3, 2017

all three on each projector as far out as possible without falling off

JavierMar7 · Mar 2, 2019

I’m having issues with my 13 headlight as well after installing LED lights they seem to create moisture, are the vents the problem just as explained in this video? Would appreciate a response, Thanks!

magician · Mar 3, 2019

JavierMar7 said:
I’m having issues with my 13 headlight as well after installing LED lights they seem to create moisture, are the vents the problem just as explained in this video? Would appreciate a response, Thanks!

I tried the whole vent cap procedure and still got moisture in my lights as well as my 2500 work truck. I fixed both by taking off the entire light assembly, opening up the back covers and sitting them on top of a transformer(housing is abut 85*) in my building for about 5 hours. Once they were dry, I ran a bead of clear sealant around the seam where the lens and the housing meet. Haven’t had any more moisture since.

Hope this helps.

GSchwizzy · Sep 7, 2019

What about for non-projector types? I'm only getting this on the drivers side...

MarineBSP · Sep 7, 2019

The theory of vents is that the lights create enough heat to reduce the relative humidity inside the headlight assembly, and the vents allow pressure equalization without sucking in droplets of water from the outside. That's theory. Adding LED's adds possible ways for that to go wrong - the seals may not be a match to factory, the heat needs to be dumped outside the housing (where it won't dry the assembly), and then any other mods to the light assembly itself . . . .

The >85 degree dry-out described above is a good way to get back to "dry", and the sealing technique probably caught some sneaky unsealed spots where liquid water was entering. I used to think that a guy could systematically solve all these things by just "doing it right", but reality is more that we share what worked for us, try it, and keep adjusting until it works.

That's why threads like this are so valuable !

GSchwizzy · Sep 7, 2019

Thanks. I would "think" it would happen on both sides though... I don't get the commonality with mostly being the driver's side. At least from what's reported.

I might put my old bulbs back in (don't want to though), and get the moisture out... and see if it comes back with those in there.

Vent Caps on Projector Headlights

MurderedOutHEMI

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Ram Man

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Sir John

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JavierMar7

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magician

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GSchwizzy

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MarineBSP

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GSchwizzy

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