Lights misting / fogging up / vapor / condensation / water

[Maverick]

Thanks for that Coreying. I noticed this on Saturday and now its Tuesday and it has not disappeared or seemed to have changed. I have been driving around alot at night, so the lights have been on. Which I would have thought would have heated the interior of that light cluster up and the water droplets would disappear.... they havent.

Im thinking of even getting a hair dryer and leaving it aimed at the light cluster for a good 30mins or so to see if this changes it.

If you want to melt it and have to fork out $4-500 for replacement lights by all means try that but I'd leave it as coreying said. The dealer won't do anything as the car is so young and Volkswagen won't look at it as a fault unless there is a build up of water in there. Some sun is the best thing for it.

If you wanted it to clear up quicker you would have to do the same as for a bulb replacement and take the light off the car and put some warm air from the hairdryer into the hole on the rear where the bulb goes in.

[MIRSAD]

I'd be careful of leaving a hair dryer pointed at it for 30 minutes. Sunlight on a semi-warm day would be enough... if it doesn't clear up on its own, then get a dealer to look at it.

agree with coreying.

5 years ago light cluster on my Golf was replaced ... same problem like yours sharkablue (only it was not $50K but - $28K 1.6L Golf)... Perth's somer and droplets where still there (for few weeks) - until cluster was replaced.

According to one of German forums there is different - fogging issue and this is from that website:

"fogged headlights - Depending on the weather, the fog lights from the inside A light mist ... It precipitates harmless condensation that evaporates at the latest when switching on the headlights."

[sharkablue]

Yeah its not fog on the inside of the cluster it actual water droplets and alot of them.

The indicator section across the bottom of the cluster is full of water droplets. and there is water vapour (fog) around the red section of the brake lights.

So its not really what I would call just mist or fog on the inside of the cluster, its actual droplets.

I have Emailed the manager at my dealer and he said to bring it down so they can take a look.

I have left my car in a underground carpark today and its very warm down there, compared to the crappy cold Melbourne Weather we have been having for the past couple of months. So im hoping it may have changed when I see my car tonight.

Although im not very hopeful.

[HY001]

Water in Fog Lights - MK6 GTI

Hi guys,

Not sure if anyone has also experienced the same problem. I have about an centremeter of water in my fog lights.. they are always 'fogged' up - yes i know they are fog lights


Its more annoying than anything. Does anyone know how i can drain them? its been more then 3 weeks...

cheers.

[ian]

Did you drive through deep water,normally water shouldn't get in,to remove first remove the light and either use a cloth attached to a wire to soak it up ,or leave them in the sun.

[Pepe]

Take it back to the dealer. The lights should be a sealed unit, other than where the bulb goes. If it's happened once, even if you drain it, it'll happen again. If it's fogging up on the inside, then it'll end up leaving residue that will mean the lights will not be as effective or safe in the longer term. They'll need to replace them.

[HY001]

hi guys.. thanks for the advise.. i ended up getting a few straws and sucking up the water..

all good now..!

[Pepe]

Good work McGyver! I'd say it'll still probably happen again unfortunately. Pop into your service dealer a month or so before your actual service and show them, so they can order the replacement parts in time for your 15k service rather than having to bring it back again some other time.

[triode12]

hi guys.. thanks for the advise.. i ended up getting a few straws and sucking up the water..

all good now..!

Not with your mouth we hope...God know what microbes could be in the water.

[vwcabriolet1971]

I've had heavy headlight condensation which affected light output/beam focus in both headlights after driving for 2 hours at night in heavy rain ( with standing water & puddles) with headlights full on for most of the time.Complained to dealer who then read a VW pre-prepared statement about headlight condensation . Why would they have prepared a statement on headlight condensation ? After some investigating I found that by applying a low pressure hose into the wheel arch at various angles , a water spray issued out of the wing vent (?) holes just under the sides of the bonnet . This water spray entered the engine compartment and also could also issue outside the car at the bottom of the headlights with a different hose angle.Further investigation revealed that the cause was large gaps between the wheel arch liners and the bodywork. I could get 3/4 of my big fat hands into the gaps. This is the first Golf I've had that has had these large gaps. I assume at some time VW will correct the liner form to eliminate the gaps. I'm amazed that the gaps got thro' the engineering/inspection checks . If the liners are vacuum formed it would be a simple cheap tooling change. But how did these liners get into production when a cursory glance reveals all ?

[Corey_R]

I've got a Golf R and I've tried looking for this gap that some people are talking about but I don't see it. Maybe on mine they're already made the change. Or maybe the Golf R has different liners? Or maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? lol

Pictures really help explain things better than words

Having said that, even if water was able to get into the engine bay from the wheel arches, the headlights and fog lights should be sealed right? I have Xenon's and no foglights so I'm not much help here again - but my Xenon's have rubber caps over the openings and look pretty water tight...

[SilverBug]

Bi Xenon Condensation

Hi All,

Hope you can help me with a question around my Bi Xenon headlights. I picked up my Golf R on Wednesday night (lots of rain and cold) and when I got home I noticed that there was condensation in each headlight. At first I thought they must have a seal problem, but after dropping into a VW service centre this morning I have just received a call advising that due to the heat the Bi-Xenon's create the lights have areas where they draw in the air to cool the lights. Therefore when you stop the cold air forms condensation within the headlight. Once the lights are running again they generate heat to remove the
existing condensation that has formed.

Does this sound right? Will the condensation be "burnt" onto the inside of the plastic leaving marking?

Love some thoughts around this and are other drivers with Bi-Xenon's experiencing the same thing?

Cheers,
Andrew

[Glennb]

I've had this happen to mine as well within the first month of ownership. Was after a night of heavy rain.
My understanding is that they are a sealed unit, and the VW dealership said to keep an eye on it to see if it happens again, and they would replace the units if it did. So far i haven't noticed it happening again though.

[dny]

When I picked up my car the light had condensation in it from what look like a high pressure hose.
I pointed it out and the dealer said its normal in extremely wet conditions and that if it becomes a problem to let the service dept know.

[SilverBug]

Well guys the dealer gave me a TPI that advises them on the nature of customer complaining with Bi Xenon lights where some condensation has occurred. I will scan on Monday and load it into this thread but bottom line I am being told this is normal in certain weather conditions as the bi xenon draw air in to cool and sometimes condensation will form. They explained it will disappear when lights are running and that due to material used their will be no marking from condensation. Next time I will take pics..... Let you all know if this becomes an issue.

On a side note rediscovered "S" on the DSG this afternoon -OMG can't wipe the smile from my face !!!