Should You Replace or Repair Waterlogged Headlights?
1 Answers
In most cases, simply turning on the headlights and allowing the moisture to dissipate naturally is sufficient. However, if the water ingress is severe, it's necessary to visit a professional repair shop for treatment. More information about headlight water ingress is as follows: 1. Causes of headlight water ingress: Poor sealing design of the headlight itself, improper sealing between plugs and wiring harnesses, poor gap definition between the headlight and the vehicle body, or damaged vent holes can all lead to water ingress, especially during car washing or rainy weather. Typically, water accumulation inside the headlight can be visibly observed, and it does not disappear after 1-2 hours with the headlights on. 2. Distinguishing between fogging and water ingress in headlights: (1) First, check for water flow traces. Fogging usually forms a thin film or dew-like droplets on the surface of the headlight cover without any water flow traces. Water ingress, due to the larger amount of water, forms dew droplets that flow from the top to the bottom of the headlight, leaving distinct water flow traces, similar to a waterfall, much like the trail left by a snail. (2) Determine by whether it disappears on its own. When fog appears inside the headlight, it takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours with the headlights on to completely dissipate. In a static state, storing the vehicle in a dry environment with humidity <50% for 24 to 36 hours will allow the fog inside the headlight to disappear completely on its own—this phenomenon is considered fogging. However, if large areas of fog condensation appear on the inner wall of the lens, condensing into water droplets that flow downward and accumulate inside the headlight, and when the headlights are used for extended periods or multiple times, the fog reattaches to the inner surface of the lens as the temperature rises, this should be identified as water ingress.
