Condensation in head lamps of my Cayenne (face lift)

[targa]

I picked up my new Cayenne facelift Diesel on 7th November. Same evening there was condensation in the head lamps. I parked the car in the garage overnight and condensation cleared. Next day I had the car in the drive for a few hours and big patches of condensation have re-appeared. Please guide me what to do. I know this is the type of problem Lotus Elise used to have and some old cars might get this damp in the head lamps. I am very surprised to see this in the brand new Porsche. I have a Mercedes and a BMW and never noticed this problem. Any views?

[Fickle1]

Hi, Sorry to disagree but there shouldn't be any moisture inside your headlamp units. If left unchecked it will cause water damage to the materials within these expensive units.

[David W.]

Has some moisture got in when they power washed it pre PDI? Just an idea.

[Helicopter123]

Units will be replaced under warranty for certain.

[majordad]

I had the same issue with my 7RS Gen 2 rear lights. Replaced under warranty first time, then the second time they would not do so. Where I live it would be an MOT fail ( Ireland ) but not it seems in UK.

[Technomad]

majordad said:

I had the same issue with my 7RS Gen 2 rear lights. Replaced under warranty first time, then the second time they would not do so. Where I live it would be an MOT fail ( Ireland ) but not it seems in UK.

^ this - seems to be standard on 997.2 cars. Replaced under warranty without quibble.

[IPK]

That certainly doesn't look right. I had to have a new rear light cluster on a 991 that was exactly the same from new. Replaced under warranty.

[Stevo2201]

Hi, I had exactly the same thing on mine. Spoke to the dealer and they said it will be a warranty repair.

[Blaster72]

dmcrobin said:

Cold ambient outdoor temperature and hot headlamps, nothing to worry about

Erm, no. They shouldn't mist up inside like that.

Is it a brand new car? If so I'd have thought a warranty replacement is in order.

[SkinnyP]

Got a 1300 mile 981 on my drive at the moment and yes you guessed it, headlights have condensation in them.

[Stevo2201]

Mine is new as well. Spoke to the sales person yesterday who said it would be taken back under warranty but has this response later "technical have said that there is a vent hole in the unit and if it goes through various changes in temperature it will fog and once the lights have been on and run the misting will go. If it gets excessive then they will need to book the car in and clean out the vent holes but it normally comes and goes off its own accord but generally only shows up if the car has been stood for a while in the rain or sudden changes in temperature".

Does this sound correct? I always thought lights were sealed units.

[sootyvrs]

I think it's normal... to some extent

I had condensation on my previous Cayman R on occasions and looking at this video of 981 Cayman... you can clearly see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgO0ir7DPLc

[sajafzal]

Stevo2201 said:

Mine is new as well. Spoke to the sales person yesterday who said it would be taken back under warranty but has this response later "technical have said that there is a vent hole in the unit and if it goes through various changes in temperature it will fog and once the lights have been on and run the misting will go. If it gets excessive then they will need to book the car in and clean out the vent holes but it normally comes and goes off its own accord but generally only shows up if the car has been stood for a while in the rain or sudden changes in temperature".

Does this sound correct? I always thought lights were sealed units.

I have the non facelift Cayenne 2012 never had an issue with condensation, if I did I would take it straight back to the dealers, its not a Cortina from the 70's, showing my age now

Saj

[Stevo2201]

It looks like the same issue. The weather conditions also looked similar to when I have noticed it.

Still not sure it should be there though. I have read about discolouration and problems with the lights being dimmed.