Moisture in Headlight?

[nickyreno]

Every time I wash my car or it gets wet the headlights get moisture in them. Has this happened to anyone besides me? How did you fix it..

[UberDave]

Search for 0-ring mod, it's been discussed many, many times.

[a62.7t4ceo]

Call AOA with your VIN. There's a TSB on it. Extensions have been given on some models.

[covertS4driver]

I am in the process of fighting this out with AOA. I will post the outcome when its done.

[B6JoeS4]

dude, everyone has this issue. it becaue audi decided it would be a good idea to put vents on the headlights. you can put silica gel packs near the headlights or you can do what i did which is seal everything with some rtv sealant

[SuperAvant]

dude, everyone has this issue. it becaue audi decided it would be a good idea to put vents on the headlights. you can put silica gel packs near the headlights or you can do what i did which is seal everything with some rtv sealant

Ugh... you certainly do not need to seal everything. Moisture is caused by water dripping down the adjustment screw past the crappy o-ring and then evaporating and causing condensation on the headlight. Like everyone has said search. Easiest and longest lasting fix for this is to get lithium grease take out that adjustment screw and put the grease all along the top of the screw above the o-ring. I did this fix 2 years ago and havent had a drop of condensation since.

[ClarkSJ]

I am in the process of fighting this out with AOA. I will post the outcome when its done.

You can fix it yourself pretty quickly for less than $2.00 in parts and a bit of time. Even if AOA replaces the headlights likely the new ones will fail in a short time also.

[akitamike]

I se

[covertS4driver]

You can fix it yourself pretty quickly for less than $2.00 in parts and a bit of time. Even if AOA replaces the headlights likely the new ones will fail in a short time also.

I've searched it, and I know exactly how to fix it. I paid for my car, and will pursue it with Audi.

Thanks for the input though, I know everyone is just trying to help. I just think Audi needs to step up to the plate.

[SuperAvant]

I've searched it, and I know exactly how to fix it. I paid for my car, and will pursue it with Audi.

Thanks for the input though, I know everyone is just trying to help. I just think Audi needs to step up to the plate.

I dont really think its a design flaw...O-rings wear out over time.

[mountainsnbirds]

I had my entire headlight assembly replaced by the Audi dealer in October which cost around $850 and there is moisture/fogging appearing already. I'm going to use the silicon grease method and hopefully that will fix both.
It is a very irritating problem that many of us seem to have.

[V8weight]

I've searched it, and I know exactly how to fix it. I paid for my car, and will pursue it with Audi.

Thanks for the input though, I know everyone is just trying to help. I just think Audi needs to step up to the plate.

ROTFL, Good luck with that! While you have Audi on the phone, see if they're ready to "step up to the plate" on my DRC failure along with all 800 other RS6's yet. Ha

[covertS4driver]

I dont really think its a design flaw...O-rings wear out over time.

Who cares what the prob is? If its under warranty, they should fix it.

So they should replace the o-ring.. no big deal

[covertS4driver]

ROTFL, Good luck with that! While you have Audi on the phone, see if they're ready to "step up to the plate" on my DRC failure along with all 800 other RS6's yet. Ha

I hear you on that.

They are replacing my headlight, but I'm sure it will happen again, as you all say.

[ahhhudi]

If it's the common issue of moisture in the headlights, Audi is quite a stickler on this and most dealers will not replace (even if you tell them that you are not concerned about replacing the whole fixutre.

Best solution is replacing the o-ring. I just replaced mine, dried out the entire fixture, and wall-ahhh, no more moisture in headlights as you can see in my new avatar. You need #6 o-rings which you can buy from Home Depot and some graphite powder to seal/lubricate. You should be good to go.

[ClarkSJ]

Who cares what the prob is? If its under warranty, they should fix it.

So they should replace the o-ring.. no big deal

Except that they won't replace the o-ring. They'll replace the entire headlight assembly, which will then fail in the same manner in the near future.

Yes, it's a warranty repair, and yes, Audi should step up to the plate. But why put yourself through the hassle, time, and aggrevation when you can fix it yourself for about $2.00 in parts and 30 minutes of time?

[akitamike]

Thanks.

[ahhhudi]

Can you post up a diy on this fix. Seems like the way to go and not have them replace the whole headlight assembly, which will have same problem? I apologize if someone already posted a diy, but I couldn't find it. Thanks.

This is the exact DIY link that I used as a guide.
http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/893818.phtml

However, I did not feel the need to shave/widen the grove at all as the link indicates. The #6 o-ring just fit nice and snug.

I hope this helps.

edit: here is another link that I found to be quite helpful when I was doing this.
http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1003411.phtml

[Celtic]

They are replacing my headlight, but I'm sure it will happen again, as you all say.

Had same issue on my '05 B6 S4 CPO. The driver side headlight would constantly fog up whenever I washed the car or nature did it for me. Called my dealer and surely enough they tried to wiggle their way out. "This is normal. Ventilation blah blah." Since I read the TSB and knew exactly what was stated in it, I called them out on it. They replaced the entire headlight assembly. I'd be happy to share more details if anyone is interested, just PM me.

I know the problem will happen again and when it does, Audi will have to put a new headlight in again.
I paid extra for the CPO and therefore I will continue to insist that these things are being taken care of, even if a simple DIY would fix it. Your engineering design team messed up, guess what, you'll be responsible for taking care of it. That's just how I see it, guys.

[wat2022]

Where do I find the TSB?

[Celtic]

Where do I find the TSB?

Check PM.

[drew]

Had same issue on my '05 B6 S4 CPO. The driver side headlight would constantly fog up whenever I washed the car or nature did it for me. Called my dealer and surely enough they tried to wiggle their way out. "This is normal. Ventilation blah blah." Since I read the TSB and knew exactly what was stated in it, I called them out on it. They replaced the entire headlight assembly. I'd be happy to share more details if anyone is interested, just PM me.

I know the problem will happen again and when it does, Audi will have to put a new headlight in again.
I paid extra for the CPO and therefore I will continue to insist that these things are being taken care of, even if a simple DIY would fix it. Your engineering design team messed up, guess what, you'll be responsible for taking care of it. That's just how I see it, guys.

hey this is good stuff. this has been driving me nuts since i purchased the car. i have the CPO warranty as well...

[B18b1ex]

My dealer will replace it if I take pictures of it fogged up, I was once told if the moisture goes away after 10 min. of operation then the will not AOA will not authorize the change.

[Celtic]

My dealer will replace it if I take pictures of it fogged up, I was once told if the moisture goes away after 10 min. of operation then the will not AOA will not authorize the change.

Very correct, Sir. That's stated in the TSB.
In my case 10 minutes took actually some 2 days. I, too, provided pictures via email showing the passenger side to be perfectly fine and the driver side fogged up. Plus, they day I took the car in I made sure that the headlight was fogged up so they could see it for themselves. It worked out for me - until the next time.

[tomazo777]

I can not take out the headlight. there 2 bolts on the top. After I take'em out the headlight still does not come out. Can someone help/guide me to how take the lights out so that I could replace the o rings?

thank you.
T

[EssPhore]

I can not take out the headlight. there 2 bolts on the top. After I take'em out the headlight still does not come out. Can someone help/guide me to how take the lights out so that I could replace the o rings?

thank you.
T

There are more bolts on the bottom rear of the headlight assembly. You do not need to remove the bolts completely. Loosen just enough so the assembly will slide out. Take your time and you will figure it out. The driver side is easier than the passenger side. I removed the forward part of the intake duct for easier access.

[tomazo777]

thanks again EssPhore!!
T

[dantm]

PM-ed you; can you please send me the TSB as well?

Thanks!

[Celtic]

PM-ed you; can you please send me the TSB as well?

Thanks!

Check PM.

[sakimano]

Call AOA with your VIN. There's a TSB on it. Extensions have been given on some models.

expand on this...

Audi seems to have adopted a 'fuckyou' attitude about the condensation.

p.s. OP...this is now officially the most reposted subject in the B6/7 S4/RS4 forum! I ran a poll on it earlier in the month to see how prevelant the problem is in order to show Audi.

[2007RS4]

Ditto. I have a 2007 RS4 with the same annoying problem. Add me to the list if it will help. Here's a pic...


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[2007RS4]

If I have to replace headlights, does anyone know where I can find these?


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[FastEddie]

O ring mod. Also, open the vent to the light and let it air out for a day or two. You may need to joey mod it with knew sealant. I get condensation like that too. I plan on buying new lenses and replacing the lenses on my soon. that should fix the issue.

[s4ski]

The O ring mod didn't do it for me. Had cracked housings, so used sealant to plug them. Worked well for one, still condensation after car wash with other.