Do your headlamps look like this?!

[Michael 514]

Hi guys,

I brought in my car because I am getting some pretty annoying condensation in my headlights.

I got it back from the dealer, and in the rain yesterday, sure enough, there was no change. The dealer told me it's normal, and there is a TSB on this saying it's normal after a high-pressure wash, etc.

I did not wash my car with a high-pressure washer, and it wasn't even raining that badly.

This is what my headlights looked like afterward. Is this truly normal? I am a member of AlldataDIY and I don't see any TSB on this. I have to bring the car back next week for other repairs.

Before I escalate this to the GM District Manager, I hope to get some opinions, thoughts, and experiences from you guys, so that I can bring it with me to the garage next week.

Is this by design, or is there an issue here?

I look forward to your observations!

Thanks,

Mike

[Mbai2]

Mine definitely doesn't look like that even after high pressure washes. Not normal in my opinion.

[sbuscha]

No I have never had that. I never do a high pressure wash, that is bad for the paint (in my opinion). Anyways, I live in Arizona too, so it must be the dry heat.

[cts_mark]

I live in New England and it's been raining on and off here for what seems like weeks and mine have never looked like that.

-Mark

[crystal_red]

That is absolutely NOT normal and indicates either a break in the seal or a seal not properly installed. I would demand that both headlight assemblies be replaced. Eventually it will get worse and begin to damage components within the assemby itself. Of course, by then your CTS may be out of warranty and you will be stuck with the replacement cost which is probably why your dealer gave you the TSB B.S. I would also, if possible, find another dealer as yours is either ignorant or outright lying.
Also, high pressure car washes have been around for many years and will not dislodge lighting seals if they are properly installed in the first place. Were that the case, car mfgs. would be going broke replacing light assemblies up the wazoo!
Then again, they're already broke, so...

[cts_serenity]

Just go to the dealer and demand they replace it. If they still don't then go to another GM dealer and tell them of the situation - I am sure at least one of them will be in their right mind. Make sure you replace it before your warranty runs out!

[Gristle Boy]

Ditto. No condensation after pressure wash or rain.

[Bandit1]

Nope. Looks like you have a lense leak. Warranty time.

[C6Vette]

I'm going to have to disagree with everyone else. I occasionally get this but not from washing. It's usually if I cover the car over night and it's humid. The humid air works into the headlights and condenses. After I take the cover off it airs out and evaporates in a few minutes. There's a vent on the back of all headlights that allow this stuff to vent out.

[crystal_red]

Originally Posted by C6Vette

I'm going to have to disagree with everyone else. I occasionally get this but not from washing. It's usually if I cover the car over night and it's humid. The humid air works into the headlights and condenses. After I take the cover off it airs out and evaporates in a few minutes. There's a vent on the back of all headlights that allow this stuff to vent out.

That's not correct; the 'vent' is there to allow heat from the light only to escape. There should be no communication whatsoever between the whole assembly and the outside environment. See below...

All about headlight repair, restoration and cleaning

Now, beside the fact that worn or cloudy headlights need to be either replaced or restored as they are a major night time driving issue, there are a few other items to look at or that you may notice need fixing. On older cars and badly worn headlights there may be water inside the lens. In some cases it can be so bad the lens looks like a fish bowl – full of water. This can also happen on brand new lenses from a bump or similar as the seal around the lens may have become compromised and will let moisture in (evidence of this is condensation inside the lens). Condensation in the headlights due to hairline cracks and bad seals is much more common in newer vehicles. If there is water or condensation inside it must first be removed before any other repairs can be effective. This is accomplished by using a small drill bit and drilling a small hole in the bottom of the headlight assembly. It is easiest to remove the lens first and make sure the hole goes all the way into the headlight chamber. Do this in the grey headlight assembly, not the frontal clear plastic so the hole will later be hidden. A key tip is to wrap the drill bit with tape to the desired depth so you don’t protrude too far into the lens or make too big of a hole.

Allow the water and condensation to completely drain over a few days. It is a good idea to place the headlight assembly next to either a dehumidifier or air conditioner vent or duct as that will further remove and extract moisture from the headlight. Reseal the hole with silicone seal (at all automotive stores – do not use super glue or other glues as they will will crack and leak and then you will have the same problem all over again). It’s also a good idea to check the whole seal that attaches the outer globe to the headlight assembly – remember, if it looks iffy then coat and reseal it(especially on Ford, GM and Dodge headlights as these tend to leak very early - reseal it if necessary). Then reinstall.

[MoFex]

I do not thnk it is normal. And to be honest I have never had something similar on any of my cars.
As other stated, condensation (read moisture) is bad for internals. I would ask the dealer to show you the TSB and then ask for the lamp replacement. If you do nothing it cannot be good for lamp assemblies in a longterm....

[bobelew]

Time to change Dealers!!

[Northern SRX]

Originally Posted by crystal_red

That's not correct; the 'vent' is there to allow heat from the light only to escape. There should be no communication whatsoever between the whole assembly and the outside environment. See below...

All about headlight repair, restoration and cleaning

Now, beside the fact that worn or cloudy headlights need to be either replaced or restored as they are a major night time driving issue, there are a few other items to look at or that you may notice need fixing. On older cars and badly worn headlights there may be water inside the lens. In some cases it can be so bad the lens looks like a fish bowl – full of water. This can also happen on brand new lenses from a bump or similar as the seal around the lens may have become compromised and will let moisture in (evidence of this is condensation inside the lens). Condensation in the headlights due to hairline cracks and bad seals is much more common in newer vehicles. If there is water or condensation inside it must first be removed before any other repairs can be effective. This is accomplished by using a small drill bit and drilling a small hole in the bottom of the headlight assembly. It is easiest to remove the lens first and make sure the hole goes all the way into the headlight chamber. Do this in the grey headlight assembly, not the frontal clear plastic so the hole will later be hidden. A key tip is to wrap the drill bit with tape to the desired depth so you don’t protrude too far into the lens or make too big of a hole.

Allow the water and condensation to completely drain over a few days. It is a good idea to place the headlight assembly next to either a dehumidifier or air conditioner vent or duct as that will further remove and extract moisture from the headlight. Reseal the hole with silicone seal (at all automotive stores – do not use super glue or other glues as they will will crack and leak and then you will have the same problem all over again). It’s also a good idea to check the whole seal that attaches the outer globe to the headlight assembly – remember, if it looks iffy then coat and reseal it(especially on Ford, GM and Dodge headlights as these tend to leak very early - reseal it if necessary). Then reinstall.

Great post - thanks.

[Maeztro]

No, this is not normal. On another note, I hate when the dealers say something like this is normal and act like you are the crazy one for thinking it is abnormal. Had the same issue with my squeaky brakes. They look me dead in the eye and say its normal for a 45k luxury car to squeak.

[greyghost04]

I think that car was in an accident before it was sold to you.