V12V - Front light unit condensation
Discussion
Hi All,
Great news is that I just picked up my first AML - a V12V ('10 plate). Super happy with it and very different from my C63.
Frustrating news is that when I got home I noticed that both front headlamp units have condensation build-up inside. Is this common on the Vantage? If its not, is there a Technical Bulletin I can reference with the garage? Any other thoughts and opinions would be greatly received.
Cheers, Andy
Great news is that I just picked up my first AML - a V12V ('10 plate). Super happy with it and very different from my C63.
Frustrating news is that when I got home I noticed that both front headlamp units have condensation build-up inside. Is this common on the Vantage? If its not, is there a Technical Bulletin I can reference with the garage? Any other thoughts and opinions would be greatly received.
Cheers, Andy
Great choice. Am sure you will enjoy.
I have an MB as well as an Aston so not being unkind when I say, a C63 is great fun to drive, but nobody gives a second look because there are so many C-Class cars on the road. A Vantage seems to be liked by everyone, especially useful when waiting to pull out of a side turning.
The condensation issue is widespread. I was not getting it in the summer, but now it is back, even when no lights have been switched on. Mention it to your dealer. He might say 'they all do that', but I am sure you won't accept that as a reason for them doing nothing.
Some on here have tried silica gel bags, but I have not attempted that.
Yes same for me, especially after having washed the car. It doesn't bother me too much as it goes away quite quickly, we do have a milder climate though which certainly helps! Edited: I forgot to add: congratulations with your purchase and yes, do let us have some pictures when you get the chance.
Edited by CSK1 on Sunday 29th November 07:08
I'm not quite up to speed on the spec options / names just yet ... but found this from the dealers sheet:
- B&O Stereo
- piano black facia
- lightweight seats
I believe the colour is <something> silver (other brands might call is gun metal)
I'll take some interior shots when is stops tipping down with rain.
- B&O Stereo
- piano black facia
- lightweight seats
I believe the colour is <something> silver (other brands might call is gun metal)
I'll take some interior shots when is stops tipping down with rain.
Congrats on the V12 - but with regards to your lights - keep a close eye on them - especially the LED side lights. At the first sign of trouble - even a slight flicker - i'd have it straight back whilst still under warranty.
I had this issue with my V8V and around 6 months after the warranty expired - both sets had condensation and both sets of sidelights failed within a week of each other which basically means an MOT failure and two new headlight units at over £1500 a pop. I suspect the condensation is the cause - getting into the LED driver circuit (which is apparently situated where the condensation run off would fall).
Ridiculous design and IMO a serious design flaw - one that AM unfortunately will not acknowledge.
I had this issue with my V8V and around 6 months after the warranty expired - both sets had condensation and both sets of sidelights failed within a week of each other which basically means an MOT failure and two new headlight units at over £1500 a pop. I suspect the condensation is the cause - getting into the LED driver circuit (which is apparently situated where the condensation run off would fall).
Ridiculous design and IMO a serious design flaw - one that AM unfortunately will not acknowledge.
andymcmanus said:
..both front headlamp units have condensation build-up inside. Is this common on the Vantage? If its not, is there a Technical Bulletin I can reference with the garage?
Yes and yes, i.e. it does seem quite common and the service Bullitin is SB-17-0298.It goes somthing like: Raise car, remove headlamp access panels, ventilate with dry, oil free air (2 bar max) untill clear plus 20 mins, then pop a couple of silica gel bags in and promptly refit the access panels.
I think this can only be a temporary treatment as the headlamps are evidendtly not fully sealed and will breath in fresh moist air each time they cycle from warm to cold.
I just live with this occasional condensation. A proper solution might be to drill a couple of small holes to enable convected ventilation, with some provision to prevent the ingress of dirt.
Moonhawk said:
Ridiculous design and IMO a serious design flaw - one that AM unfortunately will not acknowledge.
My V12VSR is booked in this week for new headlights because of water.The car is 7 months old although I only bought it 3 weeks ago.
Upon collection the lights looked like they were missing a goldfish each so I contacted the supplying dealer and was told there are 3 fixes.
1. Put silica gel packs in headlight unit.
2. Drill back of units and connect tubes linked to the interior heater system.
3. Replace headlights with brand new units that dont steam up.
Having only had the car 24 hours at the point of that conversation I didn't waste any more time and contacted AM directly who instantly agreed to replace the units.
Flugplatz said:
My V12VSR is booked in this week for new headlights because of water.
The car is 7 months old although I only bought it 3 weeks ago.
Upon collection the lights looked like they were missing a goldfish each so I contacted the supplying dealer and was told there are 3 fixes.
1. Put silica gel packs in headlight unit.
2. Drill back of units and connect tubes linked to the interior heater system.
3. Replace headlights with brand new units that dont steam up.
Having only had the car 24 hours at the point of that conversation I didn't waste any more time and contacted AM directly who instantly agreed to replace the units.
AFAIK there is no revised part that solves the problem, the new ones might be better than the old ones but they will almost certainly steam up.The car is 7 months old although I only bought it 3 weeks ago.
Upon collection the lights looked like they were missing a goldfish each so I contacted the supplying dealer and was told there are 3 fixes.
1. Put silica gel packs in headlight unit.
2. Drill back of units and connect tubes linked to the interior heater system.
3. Replace headlights with brand new units that dont steam up.
Having only had the car 24 hours at the point of that conversation I didn't waste any more time and contacted AM directly who instantly agreed to replace the units.
Front lights on my old V8VS used to mist up constantly. The V12VS has had no front light misting issues in almost a year.
Not so at the back though. Nearside rear filled with water after a 50 mile rainy drive. I sent a pic to the dealer and they arranged an immediate warranty replacement.
Sounds like a random manufacturing fault to me, and rather than deal with the issue with the supplier, AM probably just stack up big supplies of them for the inevitable warranty replacements.
Aside from that I had a sticking filler cap and three erroneous error messages when I first picked the car up, and no other problems in the last 12 months and 6,500 miles or so.
Not so at the back though. Nearside rear filled with water after a 50 mile rainy drive. I sent a pic to the dealer and they arranged an immediate warranty replacement.
Sounds like a random manufacturing fault to me, and rather than deal with the issue with the supplier, AM probably just stack up big supplies of them for the inevitable warranty replacements.
Aside from that I had a sticking filler cap and three erroneous error messages when I first picked the car up, and no other problems in the last 12 months and 6,500 miles or so.
Flugplatz said:
3. Replace headlights with brand new units that dont steam up.
Take this one with a pinch of salt. I had my units replaced around 12 months ago, and they had begun to steam up again after a couple of weeks.Unless AM have radically redesigned the headlight units in the last 12 months - any replacements will also steam up pretty quick.
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