Lighting - Headlamp Moisture Condensation
No.: LTB00054Issue: 1
Date: May 25, 2007
SECTION: LA417-01
Headlamp Condensation
AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:
Land Rover LR3 (LA) VIN: All
THIS BULLETIN REPLACES LA417-001. CHANGES ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH GREY BACKGROUND AND ASTERISKS.
CONDITION SUMMARY:
HEADLAMPS HAVE CONDENSATION FORMING INTERNALLY
NOTE:
Normal condensation is a natural process. Headlamps are vented with special Gore-Tex vents to alleviate changes in pressure. Atmospheric air contains water vapor or humidity. When this air enters the headlamp through the vents there is a possibility that condensation can occur if the temperature is cold enough. When normal condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the inside surface of the plastic lens.
*The thin mist will clear and exit through the vents during normal operation. During a 30 minute period of normal headlamp operation (low beam) the condensation should dissipate as the lamp heats up.*
Internal "misting" is generally caused by natural condensation and can be expected under certain atmospheric conditions. Vehicles that have been pressure washed may have had water forced into the headlamp via the headlamp vents, resulting in condensation forming inside the headlamps. Water may also migrate in to the headlamp assembly following bulb replacement if the bulb covers have been installed incorrectly
Should a customer express concern regarding headlamp condensation, refer to the Repair Procedure detailed in this Bulletin.
PARTS
WARRANTY:
NOTE:
Headlamps with the following conditions should not be replaced under warranty:
^ Headlamps with no visible condensation.
^ No drip marks/streaks in the finely condensed film on the interior side of the clear plastic lens. Refer to Attachment 4
^ No visible water droplets in the thin mist. Refer to Attachment 5
^ The fine mist does not obstruct the view of the interior of the lamp. Refer to Attachment 6
^ Condensation covers less than 50% of the interior side of the lens. Refer to Attachment 7
DDW requires the use of causal part numbers. Labor only claims must show the causal part number with a quantity of zero.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
INSPECT FOR WATER CONTAMINATION AND REPAIR
*NOTE:
If after the 30 minute operation time considerable water droplets still remain on the inside of the headlamp glass (refer to attachment illustrations), the lamp should be replaced. If there is evidence of standing water within the headlamp unit, the unit will also need to be replaced.*
1. Inspect headlamps for warrantable repair conditions *after 30 minutes of operation on low beam:*
^ Large apparent visible droplets of water on the interior side of the clear plastic lens. Refer to Attachment 1.
^ Drip marks/streaks in the film of condensation on the interior side of the clear plastic lens. Refer to Attachment 2.
^ Thick mist covering a majority of the interior side of the clear plastic lens. The thick mist also obstructs the view of the interior of the lamp. Refer to Attachment 3.
^ Puddles/pools of water in the interior of the headlamp.
2. If a headlamp unit meets the above conditions, replace the headlamp with a new unit.
SILICA GEL PACK *REQUIRED* TO IMPROVE 'NON-WARRANTABLE' CONDITIONS
NOTE:
Headlamps with the following conditions should not be replaced under warranty *but the silica gel packets MUST be installed:*
^ Headlamps with no visible condensation.
^ No drip marks/streaks in the finely condensed film on the interior side of the clear plastic lens.
^ No visible water droplets in the thin mist.
^ The fine mist does not obstruct the view of the interior of the lamp.
^ Condensation covers less than 50% of the interior side of the lens.
1. Verify that the lamp meets the "non-warrantable" conditions in Attachments 4 through 7.
2. Remove the affected lamp from the vehicle.
CAUTION:
The work surface must be protected with a soft covering to prevent scratches or damage to the headlamp lens.
3. Place face down on a flat protected surface.
4. Rotate the lower side lamp bulb cover counter clockwise and remove to expose the void in the back of the lamp assembly. (Figure 1 and Figure 2)
5. Scrunch up the Silica Gel packet. (Figure 3)
6. Insert the packet into the void ensuring it is pushed fully forward and that it does not obscure the bulb holder. Push firmly in place. (Figure 4)
*CAUTION:
Incorrect replacement of bulb-covers can lead to condensation forming Ensure bulb-covers are correctly installed. If a loose cover is determined to be the cause of the condensation, measures should be taken to dry out the lamps and to ensure that the bulb-covers are installed correctly. Condensation levels should be monitored to allow natural dissipation of the condensation.*
7. Install the side lamp bulb cover as follows:
^ Align the two arrows, one of which is on the lamp body the other is located in the moulded finger depressions of the bulb cover.
^ Rotate the cover clockwise until it latches into place, a firm stop can be felt.
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