Headlight Condensation

[steveway]

not sure if the lights are different but the wiring needs to be longer

[NeinFondue]

Probably a difference in the location of the (+)ve jump terminal.

[JohnV8V]

A wet, humid day today but look, my lights are clear. (I wiped the light dry so you can see)

[a98pmalcolm]

This this talk of the great bit of kit for the Vantage headlight, but no DB9 solution like this

[steveway]

I visited Ian Short, AM Upgrades today and he fitted the headlight kit to my V12V, took about two hours but that included lots of chat, reckon 1 hour should see it done. Will update the site to tell you if its all cured.

[Dave Aston]

a98pmalcolm said:

This this talk of the great bit of kit for the Vantage headlight, but no DB9 solution like this

My mate has just purchased the V12 version, he also has a DB9 so he asked if anything is available, the good news is a prototype is being sorted and will be tested and hopefully available for autumn, perfect time of the year.

[Pawpatrol]

bignoise said:

Hi

I think I have a fix for this issue

Thinking back to my old E36 which were notorious for condensation which was cured by removing the back cover

Now with the position of headlights on our cars being lower etc what I did was provide some ventilation by drilling 2 8mm holes in the flat rectangular area of each headlights access cover and then stick some Goretex over the holes

So basically remove wheel arch liner access

Remove headlight bulb access panel

Drill holes

Stick on goretex patch

Reassemble

The Goretex basically allows ventilation but keeps moisture out £6.43 from Amazon


I did my vantage a couple of weeks ago and have had clear lights ever since

Edited by bignoise on Wednesday 6th March 18:33

I am looking to fix this in my db9 headlights. I have a question though, on the other Aston Martin forum seven months earlier you posted the same solution using 18 holes in the headlight cover. Why just 2 holes now? What is wrong with your original solution - was it letting water in?

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/3...

[bignoise]

Hi

That isn't / wasn't me on that forum


Just looked at the link and he used a number of small holes where I used just a single larger hole which has worked fine for me

[laterontoday]

Is there a web site for AM Upgrades or is the only means of contact via a gmail email address?

Thanks

[JohnV8V]

laterontoday said:

Is there a web site for AM Upgrades or is the only means of contact via a gmail email address?

Thanks

Hi, there is an email which is [e-mail]

hope it helps.

[BMW-North]

Rather than owners paying more to get this factory defect fixed let's work on Aston Martin correcting their deficiency. It's not difficult. Just need each owner who has encountered this issue in either their headlights or tail lights to take 2 mins to complete the form:



Putting aside differences of opinion for a moment on what has caused this widespread issue, or remedies to correct it - the matter of the condensation can lead to failure of headlights, turning indicators, & brake lights - making this matter truly a safety related issue. The NHTSA (in the USA) is the most powerful of any national org to deal with these matters. If it has enough information and incidences it can conduct an investigation. It can also force manufacturers to correct identified safety deficiencies at no cost to the consumer. Given the low production volume of these vehicles, the complaint percentage thresholds to trigger further action would be relative.

To file a US vehicle safety complaint you need your VIN: If you have pics of the condensation in either tail lights or headlights you can attach them to the online form - but that is not necessary. The whole process takes under 2 mins.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/



In Canada you file the same complaint here:

https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/f...

Edited by BMW-North on Tuesday 25th June 12:22

Edited by BMW-North on Tuesday 25th June 12:38

Edited by BMW-North on Tuesday 25th June 12:52

[AstonV]

This problem really sucks. So far have never leaked, but I stress out now every time I wash it. I chose not to renew my warranty, but there is no excuse for AM letting this problem continue for all these years.

[Petrol Power]

Hi All,

I am new to PistonHeads but I have found it to be very informative, a real must for Petrolheads.

I spent the weekend (Literally) going through the Aston Posts and I came across this one so I thought I must let you know.
I plus a bunch of mates have just been over to Madrid (3 Vantages + 2 DB9's), a fab trip but the rain in Madrid was horrendous.I had fitted one of these venting kits about three months ago, I can be sceptical with unusual products however, due to the rain and temperature changes, all of the other 4 cars had condensation in the headlights, mine was clear, 1 of the Vantages still had misted lights when we returned to Britain on Monday (He is definitely buying a kit), I just need something for my rear lights now !!!

Hope it is of interest.

[Neil1300r]

Petrol Power said:

Hi All,

I am new to PistonHeads but I have found it to be very informative, a real must for Petrolheads.

I spent the weekend (Literally) going through the Aston Posts and I came across this one so I thought I must let you know.
I plus a bunch of mates have just been over to Madrid (3 Vantages + 2 DB9's), a fab trip but the rain in Madrid was horrendous.I had fitted one of these venting kits about three months ago, I can be sceptical with unusual products however, due to the rain and temperature changes, all of the other 4 cars had condensation in the headlights, mine was clear, 1 of the Vantages still had misted lights when we returned to Britain on Monday (He is definitely buying a kit), I just need something for my rear lights now !!!

Hope it is of interest.

But rules are rules pictures of your car

[TR-Spider]

Petrol Power said:

Hi All,

I am new to PistonHeads but I have found it to be very informative, a real must for Petrolheads.

I spent the weekend (Literally) going through the Aston Posts and I came across this one so I thought I must let you know.
I plus a bunch of mates have just been over to Madrid (3 Vantages + 2 DB9's), a fab trip but the rain in Madrid was horrendous.I had fitted one of these venting kits about three months ago, I can be sceptical with unusual products however, due to the rain and temperature changes, all of the other 4 cars had condensation in the headlights, mine was clear, 1 of the Vantages still had misted lights when we returned to Britain on Monday (He is definitely buying a kit), I just need something for my rear lights now !!!

Hope it is of interest.

Thanks for the encouraging report.
How were your headlights doing BEFORE the installation?
I'm asking as a part of the problem seems to be water ingress due to improper sealing.

[Petrol Power]

Hi TR Spider, I have had two Vantages, I love them, both have been very reliable apart from the lights, they have always misted up however, the current one I put on SORN at the end of last year plus it was parked outside, I would every other week start her up to running temp to keep things ticking over, I would switch off and go back in the house but when I went out later (15-20 mins), the lights would be totally misted up, this would stay like this for a few hours. One of them started to turn from mist to very small water droplets, this light unit indicators decided to fail in February this year so I had to replace it, they are ridiculous money so I bought one on eBay (£750, about half price). I saw info on the forum AMOC site about the venting kit so I bought one and since then, they don’t mist up. Sad to say I don’t have any photo’s but I filled the old light unit with water and fitted the rear inspection cap on it, water leaked in three places plus two places around the inspection hatch, not a good design.

[JohnV8V]

Petrol Power said:

Hi All,

I am new to PistonHeads but I have found it to be very informative, a real must for Petrolheads.

I spent the weekend (Literally) going through the Aston Posts and I came across this one so I thought I must let you know.
I plus a bunch of mates have just been over to Madrid (3 Vantages + 2 DB9's), a fab trip but the rain in Madrid was horrendous.I had fitted one of these venting kits about three months ago, I can be sceptical with unusual products however, due to the rain and temperature changes, all of the other 4 cars had condensation in the headlights, mine was clear, 1 of the Vantages still had misted lights when we returned to Britain on Monday (He is definitely buying a kit), I just need something for my rear lights now !!!

Hope it is of interest.

Good to hear, thanks for the report, mine have kept mine clear since installation, very worthwhile.

[TR-Spider]

Thanks for the valuable reports. The forced ventillation really seems to be the solution.
Out of curiousity: can one feel the flow on the outside (without wheelwell-cover), once the lid is mounted and running?

[Petrol Power]

TR-Spider said:

Thanks for the valuable reports. The forced ventillation really seems to be the solution.
Out of curiousity: can one feel the flow on the outside (without wheelwell-cover), once the lid is mounted and running?

Hi TR-Spider, yes you can feel the air movement, it isn’t like a hairdryer force as it isn’t required to be, the idea I was told, is to have a constant flow over a period of time (About one to two hours), this will give the internal components time to cool down and help remove the moist air, clever stuff.

[Mark6767]

Hi everyone,

I have a 4.7 V8 Vantage, I have owned her for about 4 years, two years ago I replaced one rear plus one front light due to LED failure caused by condensation, last year was an exceptional year with regards the weather, condensation was there but cleared in a few hours/overnight, but it is getting worst to the front lights. There was a guy at the SiIverstone Classic showing several other people this venting system, he had clear lights while two cars next to his had condensation, I didn’t get contact details however, looking at the pictures on this Post, it is the one so I have decided to buy a kit, I hope it is easy to fit, I will update you when I have completed the installation.