Lights misting / fogging up / vapor / condensation / water

[AdamD]

I have noticed that my rear left light cluster with the indicator and brake lights has water vapor in there. I was thinking that it was just due to a cold morning a couple of days ago, but it has not disappeared.

It's possible that a small amount of water leaked past the seals when the car was being washed and detailed pre delivery?

As far as I know the tail light clusters are sealed self-contained units; the dealer may just replace the entire cluster for you if the seal is faulty. I wouldn't be too concerned.

[sharkablue]

Wow, reading the title of the thread I was expecting something more serious or at least a number of issues.

Sorry to hear about it, however going by the the nature of the problem it should be a real easy fix. How's the rest of the car? Does it put a smile on your face?

Yes it does. However having water droplets on the insides of my lights just makes the excitement wear thin. on a 50K car you do not expect water droplets to be forming anywhere near electrical components.

So as far as im concerned, it is rubbish and needs to be replaced.

Very annoyed by it.

[Corey_R]

As the title states.

I have noticed that my rear left light cluster with the indicator and brake lights has water vapor in there. I was thinking that it was just due to a cold morning a couple of days ago, but it has not disappeared.

I merged your thread into an existing thread on the same topic. Please try and use the existing threads. If you can't find an existing thread, please at least give your thread a useful and meaningful name which relates to the specific topic/problem/issue. I appreciate that you've just spent considerable money on a new car, but this isn't a personalised service where everything is about the customer - it's a community forum, and as such things need to be organised.

Anyway - as you can see from the responses previously in this thread, sometimes due to whatever reason with new cars, moisture can be within the "sealed light enclosures" on new cars. Take a photo and record the date, and if it continues or comes back, then go to your dealer and show them the photo and the taillights (if it still has the vapor by the time you get to them). However, it's likely that it will "burn away" and not return.

[sharkablue]

I merged your thread into an existing thread on the same topic. Please try and use the existing threads. If you can't find an existing thread, please at least give your thread a useful and meaningful name which relates to the specific topic/problem/issue. I appreciate that you've just spent considerable money on a new car, but this isn't a personalised service where everything is about the customer - it's a community forum, and as such things need to be organised.

Anyway - as you can see from the responses previously in this thread, sometimes due to whatever reason with new cars, moisture can be within the "sealed light enclosures" on new cars. Take a photo and record the date, and if it continues or comes back, then go to your dealer and show them the photo and the taillights (if it still has the vapor by the time you get to them). However, it's likely that it will "burn away" and not return.

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.

[Corey_R]

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.

[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]

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.