Add me to the condensation in the headlight list

[mitchflorida]

I am late to this discussion, but is this strictly a GS issue? Why isn't it affecting all Regals from that year?

 

[anon242]

I bought new butyl and a new ballast since mine got fried due to the water leaking into it. Going to put them in the oven once I get the ballast and re-seal the headlights. The whole top part of the lens is no longer sealed at all, but the bottom is fine. The top of the headlight (between the lens and assembly) is actually a water egress track so there's been water pooling in mine.

edit: I have projectors

 

[CAROL BAUMANN]

MY 2013 BUICK REGAL WHICH I JUST PURCHASED AT RICE BUICK IN KNOXVILLE TN HAS HAD BAD CONDENSATION IN THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) HEADLIGHT AND LASTS A LONG TIME SOMETIME WEEKS AT A TIME. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND AS OF NOW I CAN FIND NO KIND OF RECALL WHICH I THINK IS STRANGE. IVE ALWAYS TRUSTED GM AND MY FATHER USED TO PURCHACED GM VEHICLES AND HAD NO ISSUES. WAS YEARS AGO? IS THERE STILL NO KIND OF RECALL SOUNDS LIKE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I NEED SOME HELP PLEASE. THANKS CAROL BAUMANN ( VOL3CB@GMAIL.COM)

 

[bugspop1]

Still a problem and Still No Recall!
I have the Halogen Projector Lights and I do have occasional condensation.

I find that on really Humid Days I get a buildup inside.
I also have the problem when the Hot Sun is Baking the Headlights and then I
spray Cold Water on them while Washing the Car.
I have tried Covering the Headlights with plastic to make sure water wasn't
getting in while washing the car, but it didn't help, still got the condensation.

I have changed all the Bulbs in mine to LED a couple of year back, not that
it helps with the condensation.

 

[Sam14GS]

Condensation can also occur in headlights due to an issue with the headlight vent.
Now if you have a fish bowl in the housing its obvious water is getting in from a crack or seal, but slight condensation could be the vent. I resealed both housings a while back and everything was fine except recently I'm getting slight condensation in the drivers side at times. I did some research about the vent on this headlight but couldn't find much except the gray sticker that is back there that supposedly acts like a vent, but maybe they go bad. There a small holes in the housing behind it. I can't find replacement ones.

3 Causes of Moisture in Headlights (and How to Fix the Problem)

Condensation and moisture in your headlight may not seem like a big deal, but it can easily turn into one. Here's how to fix the issue permanently...

cartreatments.com

 

[bugspop1]

Sam14GS,
After looking at your Link, I noted there's supposed to be a Vent somewhere on the Headlight Assembly.
I went out to my car and searched for a Vent, couldn't find anything other than what I've circled in my
Photo below.
I thought that maybe it was a Screen over an opening to vent the Headlights, so I got out my Small Shop-
vac to try and clean the screen.
The Shop-Vac was unable to pick anything up off of the screen, so I looked at it a little closer.
I ended up taking my Utility knife and lifted a corner, then decided to pull it off.
It actually was just a piece of Tape over what looks like a Vent.

After looking online at the different Headlight Assemblies available for the Regal, I noticed that they all
have that piece of tape over that vent!
The Holes in this vent are too large to leave as is IMO, so I'm going to find some Screen to cover the vent
to keep larger objects out of the Headlight Assembly.
No, it won't keep water out and maybe that's why they have it taped?
It could be that this vent was their attempt at exhausting the condensation and it failed, who knows?
But why else would it be there?

I'm going to give it a try by leaving the Vents Open with a piece of screen over them!
This should still allow air to circulate but keep bigger objects (like bugs and spiders) out of the headlight assembly.
Only time will tell, but I'm willing to give it a try.
I can always put a piece of tape back over the Vents!

 

[Sam14GS]

Sam14GS,
After looking at your Link, I noted there's supposed to be a Vent somewhere on the Headlight Assembly.
I went out to my car and searched for a Vent, couldn't find anything other than what I've circled in my
Photo below.
I thought that maybe it was a Screen over an opening to vent the Headlights, so I got out my Small Shop-
vac to try and clean the screen.
The Shop-Vac was unable to pick anything up off of the screen, so I looked at it a little closer.
I ended up taking my Utility knife and lifted a corner, then decided to pull it off.
It actually was just a piece of Tape over what looks like a Vent.

After looking online at the different Headlight Assemblies available for the Regal, I noticed that they all
have that piece of tape over that vent!
The Holes in this vent are too large to leave as is IMO, so I'm going to find some Screen to cover the vent
to keep larger objects out of the Headlight Assembly.
No, it won't keep water out and maybe that's why they have it taped?
It could be that this vent was their attempt at exhausting the condensation and it failed, who knows?
But why else would it be there?

I'm going to give it a try by leaving the Vents Open with a piece of screen over them!
This should still allow air to circulate but keep bigger objects (like bugs and spiders) out of the headlight assembly.
Only time will tell, but I'm willing to give it a try.
I can always put a piece of tape back over the Vents!

Yes, that's the gray sticker that I was referring to. It supposed to let heat vent out without letting moisture in, something like gore-tex I guess. I already tried putting a piece of screen over it instead of the gray sticker and also put a piece of a/c tape over it, but it did not help. It could be that they fail, IDK...

 

[bugspop1]

It definitely looks like a Vent once the Sticker is off.
The structure they put in it makes it look like a vent.
I'm going to mess around with it and see if I can't build
a shield to put over the top so water can't find its way
into the housing.
I also still think it needs some kind of Screen or a Coarse
Filter over it to keep the bugs out!

My Home Personal Computer has thin Foam Filters over
the Intake Vents.
It helps to keep Dust and other particles out of the computer.
Something like these Foam Filters might just work?
I will have to search to see if I can find something similar.

 

[bugspop1]

It's pretty sticky outside today, current temp 77°, Humidity 89% and Dew Point 72°.
I do have Condensation Buildup on the Driver's Side Lens this morning.
Ended up putting those Vent Stickers back on the Headlight Assemblies this morning,
taking them off didn't work!

I may still try other things, not sure what yet?
I have this feeling that those Vents have something to do with this problem.

 

[Sam14GS]

It's pretty sticky outside today, current temp 77°, Humidity 89% and Dew Point 72°.
I do have Condensation Buildup on the Driver's Side Lens this morning.
Ended up putting those Vent Stickers back on the Headlight Assemblies this morning,
taking them off didn't work!

I may still try other things, not sure what yet?
I have this feeling that those Vents have something to do with this problem.

Yeah, I tried a few things too but no luck. Maybe those stickers just go bad....

 

[bugspop1]

That's what I'm thinking too!
There's around a Quarter Inch Boarder on this that's sticky.
I think the Middle Portion is some kind of Breathable Material that gets clogged
over time and is unable to let the proper amount of Air In and Out.

 

[camaromike]

If anyone has a set of headlights for a 2014-2017 GS that get water in them and they replace them I’ll buy the set that gets water in them. I need a set to rip them apart and do some custom work on the inside anyway. If anyone is in the Chicago area and wants to get rid of the ones that leak let me know. Mine leak also but I can’t take mine apart. I drive my car in the dark a lot and need my lights and this project is going to take a few weeks. I’m not exactly sure why everyone is getting condensation but that’s something I want to find out also with this project. I have a idea but I don’t think it’s it. I need another set to find out

Edit!! Please don’t drill a hole if you want to sell them. Drilling holes doesn’t help anyway. I’ve noticed on mine if I let water sit under the hood on top of the headlight I end up with moisture.. it’s one of the seals and I highly doubt it’s the perma seal on the lens where it meets the housing. Drilling a hole would make it 10x worse if it’s just one of the replaceable rubber gaskets.

Hello JacupV. I know this post is a few years old, but are you still interested in buying OEM Regal HID headlamps with condensation in them? I have a set and I’m in the Chicagoland area.

 

[G-665502]

Are the Halogen Assemblies a direct replacement for the HID one or is there some modification that has to happen?

 

[marquis85]

For anyone that's dealt with Buick's terrible manufacturing of the Regal GS's HID headlight assembly (2012 for me), below is a company in Cali that sells a more robust version. Basically identical and for right around $200. I emailed them to confirm validity, got a response same day. READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY. YOU WILL NEED FROM YOUR ORIGINAL HEADLIGHT OR BUY REPLACEMENT:

1. Original HID D1S bulb (if blown, you'll have to buy another, I was lucky)
2. Ballast (eBay has them from $20- $50+) I was able to dry mine out, shaking water out then blow drying.
3. Ballast Harness (this is the wire/cable that plugs into the D1S bulb from the ballast)

The headlight comes with DRL and side marker(turn signal bulb) already installed. There is a silicon absorbent packet glued to the inside of the housing as well. All this info is on the page and if you email DTMoto you concerns, they'll get right back to you!

2012-2013 Buick Regal HID/Xenon Type w/Blue Ring Projector Headlight - Driver | Left | Clear | Chrome | Private Label DTMOTO 2012-2013 Buick Regal HID/Xenon Type w/Blue Ring Projector Headlight - Driver | Left | Clear | Chrome | Private Label DTMOTO