No more headlight condensation

[andrew]

I figured id share my experience with how I was able to rid my headlights of the common fogging or condensation along the bottom lens. my quads are oem and are retrofitted. I have always had the problem of the bottom inside of the lens fogging all the way across the bottom from the turn signal to the high beam area. I first pulled off the 2 grey oem vent caps on each light and reinstalled them just barely on their post. (this way allows them to breathe the most) then i masked off and ran a bead of black Permatex silicone around the entire light where the lens meets the housing. this step was probably unnecessary, but I wanted to rule out any chance of a spot where moisture could seep in. I then applied the same black silicone around the reddish orange rubber gasket at the bottom of the lights where the headlights control wires exit. I also added silicone to the bulb grommet exiting the low beams access cover.

after I had allowed the silicone to dry over night, I threw the lights back on the truck only to find they still had condensation in them after a short use, but not as bad. this still wasn't good enough for me, so I went to the retrofit source and amazon for a few goretex vents and some silicon packets. I've had good luck in the past with the stick on goretex breathers for a few other retrofits I've done, so I figured id try them here. since the problem area of condensation is in the bottom of the headlight, (makes sense as heat rises and there is little to no heat down low) I drilled 2, 5/16" holes close to the front of the headlight along lens as this should be relatively close to the area that holds the most condensation. the goretex vents have a self adhesive backing so they apply just like a decal. line the center area up with the hole and press on. very easy.

I then added a third vent to the vertical area next to the turn signal socket.

I should also note that when I was drilling the holes in the headlights body, I made a "stop" out of a piece of metal tubing and placed that around the drill bit to not allow it to penetrate past a certain point. i didn't want to run the risk of drilling into the chrome reflector are as I wasn't sure how much of a gap was between that and the headlights body.

 

[andrew]

im not sure how effective this next step will be, but I went ahead and did it just to be safe the same time I added the vents. (I was tired of removing my grill and headlights to deal with this fogging issue) last thing to do was add silicon desiccant packs. I had heard of this being done before to rid headlight moisture issues so I figured what the hell. I bought a bag of them on amazon and stuffed as many as I could down low around the high beam area. I just took off the cap and stuck them wherever they fit. I figured they couldn't hurt and better to be safe than sorry.

and that's it. from all the silicone around any sealing surface, to the goretex vents and silicon packs, my headlights are now 100% fog free! I drove with them after leaving my shop that night after reinstalling the lights for about 30-45 mins of use and when I got home there was no fogging or condensation in either light.

.

I was beyond thrilled as my the fogging really go to my OCD. I'm just posting all this rambling as maybe it will give someone else with similar issues a couple ideas how to fix their foggy lights. although I haven't had a set of oem projectors in my hands to see how they look inside, I am willing to bet that the vents and the silicon packets (if there is room inside) would really help with their fogging as well.

 

[tidefan1967]

Are those factory headlights? If they are there should be some brown or gray caps that cover two vents on the backside. Make sure that they are adjusted about as far out as they will go without falling off and you shouldn’t have any more condensation problems. Sometimes they get pushed into far for whatever reason and the condensation that does build up in there is not allowed to escape like it’s supposed to. I had the same problem on my 2015 RAM. Once I got all the condensation out I made sure that they were adjusted as far out as they would go and there is still no condensation in those lights to this day and that was at least four years ago.

 

[cwendel]

Had the same issue on one on my 2013 2500. Tried all that stuff, didn't help it. I had even extended the vents using rubber vacuum hose. The cause was the rubber seal on on the top adjuster screw. The rubber washer was leaking into the light. I sealed it with some silicone sealer and all has been good. Just wish the water spots were not on the inside.

2013 2500 6.7 cummins crew cab. white and stock as can be
using Tapatalk

 

[spoon059]

cwendel, could you post a picture of the rubber seal you sealed? I have a 2015 with a very foggy passenger headlight. I took it apart, dried it thoroughly and pulled the vents out as far as I could. It stayed dry for about a week, now it's soaking wet again...

 

[cwendel]

The rubber seal sits between the housing and the headlight adjuster screw. It is more like a big rubber washer than a seal but that is ram for you. It is hidden while in the truck so I can't get you a picture, but it was the last item I sealed and it stopped the water. I had about an inch of water in the bottom of the housing from it.

2013 2500 6.7 cummins crew cab. white and stock as can be
using Tapatalk

 

[cwendel]

Are those factory headlights? If they are there should be some brown or gray caps that cover two vents on the backside. Make sure that they are adjusted about as far out as they will go without falling off and you shouldn’t have any more condensation problems. Sometimes they get pushed into far for whatever reason and the condensation that does build up in there is not allowed to escape like it’s supposed to. I had the same problem on my 2015 RAM. Once I got all the condensation out I made sure that they were adjusted as far out as they would go and there is still no condensation in those lights to this day and that was at least four years ago.

View attachment 199445

If you look at the picture in this post, the item that looks like a gear at the top between the two yellow circles in the adjuster screw. There is a seal between the housing and the screw and this was my leak. And I no longer have the gray caps, just rubber line that points downward.

2013 2500 6.7 cummins crew cab. white and stock as can be
using Tapatalk

 

[tidefan1967]

If you look at the picture in this post, the item that looks like a gear at the top between the two yellow circles in the adjuster screw. There is a seal between the housing and the screw and this was my leak. And I no longer have the gray caps, just rubber line that points downward.

2013 2500 6.7 cummins crew cab. white and stock as can be
using Tapatalk

Glad to hear you figured out the issue. Personally I only had an issue with the caps on my previous ram. So far on my 2017 I haven't had in any issues in 3.5 years of ownership and a good three years of running HIDs.

 

[ArmyGrunt66]

Interesting about this issue, I recently replaced a set of Chinese aftermarket lights with new condition OEM lights, I siliconed around the seam where the lens and black plastic meet, then I wrapped that with a strip of gorilla tape, no leaks or condensation after quite a bit of rain and humidity, didn’t know about the other areas of potential leakage, good to know for the future.

Kevin