Why headlights sweat from the inside and what to do about it
Content
Many motorists are faced with the fact that headlights begin to sweat during the cold season. This negatively affects the quality of the light and also reduces the life of the bulbs. Why headlights sweat and how to solve this problem?
Why car headlights can fog up
If the headlight is in good working order, then the glass in it should not fog up. There are several reasons why moisture builds up inside the headlight, causing it to sweat:
- marriage. A serviceable and correctly made headlight should have a closed design. If a defective element is caught, then moist air and moisture get inside, and this leads to fogging of the glass;
If the headlight is defective and its elements do not fit snugly together, then moisture gets inside - damage. During the operation of the car, situations may arise when the plastic or glass of the headlight is damaged. In addition, the glass can detach from the body. Moisture will enter the resulting hole;
- breakage of the hydrocorrector. In some cars, a hydrocorrector is provided in the headlight design. With it, you can adjust the light level. When it breaks, liquid gets inside the headlight and the glass starts to sweat;
- breather clogging. Since the air inside heats up and expands during the operation of the headlight, it needs to go out somewhere. There is a breather for this. After the headlight cools down, the air is sucked in. If this process is violated, when the breather is clogged, moisture cannot evaporate from the headlight, accumulates there, and the glass begins to sweat.The breather serves to ensure air exchange inside the headlight, with its help it "breathes"
Video: why headlights sweat
Why is fogging headlights dangerous?
Some people do not pay attention to the fact that the headlights began to sweat in the car, but this is wrong. If such a problem appears, then it can lead to the following consequences:
- deterioration in the quality of lighting. When light passes through a layer of condensation, it loses some of its power and the quality of road lighting deteriorates. This causes discomfort while driving and can lead to an accident;
- deterioration and loss of performance of the electrical network. Contacts and connections are oxidized in humid air. This leads to a disruption in the power supply process, so the light can disappear at any time;
- destruction of metal elements. Under the influence of moisture, metal parts begin to rust, the condition of the reflector worsens, and the quality of light suffers from this;With constantly high humidity, the headlight reflector loses its quality.
- reduced lamp life. Even the highest quality lamps in permanently humid conditions have a shorter lifespan.
How to solve a problem
If a non-original part was installed after the headlamp was damaged, it may be of poor quality, as a result of which the glass constantly sweats.
When the headlight is original and there are no external signs of damage, and the glass is fogged up, you can use the following recommendations:
- dry the headlight. If moisture gets inside the headlight while washing the car, then it must be well dried. When the lamps are halogen, it is enough to turn them on, and they will dry the headlight on their own. LED and xenon lamps heat up slightly, so a hair dryer is used to dry such headlights. Some motorists put silica gel in the headlight, which absorbs moisture well, but when it swells, it can damage structural elements;Some motorists put silica gel in the headlight, which absorbs moisture well.
- solder the damage to the case. If they are found, then glue or tape will not help. To do this, use a special soldering iron;
- clean the ventilation duct. It is usually located at the back of the headlight;Air vents are located at the rear of the headlight
- restore tightness. The glass is attached to the body with a sealant. If it becomes unusable, you must carefully remove the glass and install it on a new sealant;
- check the light bulb attachment. It must be installed in the headlight housing through a rubber or plastic gasket. In the case of poor quality gaskets, moisture from the street will get inside the headlight;
- replace glass. If it is damaged, then you need to buy a new one and install it in the headlight. If this is not possible and the crack is small, you can stick a transparent tint film that will close the hole and the glass will not crack further.If the crack is large, then the glass must be replaced.
Video: how to solve the problem of fogging headlights
If condensation sometimes appears in the headlamp, then there is no particular cause for concern. In the case when drops of moisture constantly form inside the headlight, it is necessary to find the cause of such a problem and be sure to eliminate it.
