Foggy Headlamps on your 02-06 Lade? Free fix

[Laker_Dynasty]

Originally Posted by Mobius

I'm no expert on this particular item, but I'll share my experience and maybe it will help explain? Maybe?

Shortly after I bought my 03, I switched the DRL's from stock to Silverstar Ambers. I did it because I liked the amber DRL's better than "white" and because it made the DRL's and the turnsignals the same irridescent color instead of yellow when they were off. Fast forward a year and the inside of my headlight lenses are fogging up. I did some research and found out that the Silver Stars are hotter than the stock since if I remember correct they operate at 30 Watts or so instead of 22 Watts. Anyway, they actually slightly melted the sockets so they had to go. I switched to LED DRL's and now I want to get rid of the fogging. I'm hoping that this is the issue.... I'm going to try it tonight.

good luck,,I was totally stoked when I saw the look of the ultra clear headlights after i washed them out. It was seriously driving my batty looking at the fogged up look.

[Mobius]

Sorry guys didn't get to yet. The wife took me and the family to a Christmas Craft show instead. Whoohoo!

Anyway, I'm staying home watching hockey tonight so I'll try it tonight. I'll even take pics.

[Mobius]

It works!! I'm amazed. I used hot water with a dab of soap. I used a hair dryer to make sure it was completely dry. Some things I learned: it's smoke from the DRL's it came off white on my finger. IT got all over the reflector too, which dims the lights a bit. I used a cotton ball and some water to wipe the reflector with my finger. It hurts like !@#$ but it worked. There is still a small amount of residue on the reflector that I can't get off. I might try using alcohol on that, but so far it looks good. Much better.

I have pics, but I don't have time right now. They are a bit fuzzy because my camera was fighting to find a focus point in the lens. But you can definitely see the difference! I'm VERY happy now. Only took about a hour from start to finish. Thanks guys!

[Stoneage_Caddy]

sorry ive been a ghost here , im not getting e mail updates for this thread ....no we didnt rinse them out after the alcohol soulution , seems like it was around 70% alco if memeory serves ....im glad to see you guys picking up on this thread tho , as the fogging is a real bad situation on these hotrods ....

[Laker_Dynasty]

this is the best thread ever,,I see lades every day that the lights look like total garbage, and now mine look like new. Thanks Stoneage!!!

[Stoneage_Caddy]

glad to help guys

[Mobius]

OK, got some pics. Here goes.

First two are befores, then afters. Then a shot of the LED DRL's that I have. I originally had the Matrix II from Autolumination, but they were weak. No where near enough light. I sent them back and replaced them with Lighttowers from Autolumination and they are much better. Sorry for the out of focus, as I mentioned before, my camera did not like trying to focus on these lenses. Enjoy.

[Povich]

mine arent real bad yet! How much of a pain in the arse is it to take the lenses out?worth doing now or wait till they get a lil more noticeable to others?

[Laker_Dynasty]

Originally Posted by Povich

mine arent real bad yet! How much of a pain in the arse is it to take the lenses out?worth doing now or wait till they get a lil more noticeable to others?

easy as can be, mine come out without removing my grill, some say to remove the grill, but I had no problem with that. Just remove the 10 or so plastic clips holding the radiator cover on, the remove the 2 pins that hold the headlight in, then pull out, easy as that. Good luck.

[BDuncan]

Procedure tips please - I pulled out one of my (foggy also) headlamp assemblies on my '03 to have a look. I see the wiring connector from the chassis and a 1/4" tube (drain ?) from the bottom of the unit.
Does the 1/4" tube pull off of the assembly?
Does the wiring from each bulb unit disconnect from inside the unit? I have change my DRL bulbs and Hi-Beams before but have never pulled the HIDs out of the housing, anything to be aware of in removing the HIDs. From reading this thread I assume all the bulbs & sockets and wiring disconnect from the housing so when you wash it out its just the bare plastic housing and lens, correct?

[Laker_Dynasty]

not sure about the '03, but my '02 just unplugged from a single harness, and each bulb socket is independently wired through the housing, of course yours would be different with the HID's

[Mobius]

Originally Posted by BDuncan

Procedure tips please - I pulled out one of my (foggy also) headlamp assemblies on my '03 to have a look. I see the wiring connector from the chassis and a 1/4" tube (drain ?) from the bottom of the unit.
Does the 1/4" tube pull off of the assembly?
Does the wiring from each bulb unit disconnect from inside the unit? I have change my DRL bulbs and Hi-Beams before but have never pulled the HIDs out of the housing, anything to be aware of in removing the HIDs. From reading this thread I assume all the bulbs & sockets and wiring disconnect from the housing so when you wash it out its just the bare plastic housing and lens, correct?

WARNING!!! That 1/4" tube is NOT a drain. It's also not a tube. It's the cable that connects the HID bulb to the ballast. It does not come out easily.

Here's what I did:

1) I removed the plastic cowl cover on top of the grille. Screw drive works perfectly.

2) removed the grill, all you need is a 10mm socket wrench. removed one bolt.

3) removed the lamp assemblies and disconnect the plugs.

4) remove the ballast from it's holder and unplug the connector. You should now have a free and clear headlamp assembly with a ballast attached.

I pulled out all the bulbs set them aside. Then washed the lens out and dried with a hair dryer. Works wonders.

Side note: I don't know if the HID bulbs are like Hallogens, but don't touch the glass just in case. I always handle the bulbs by the plastic and if I HAVE to touch the glass it's with a cotton cloth. Some of these high intensity bulbs will shatter if the oils in your finger get on bulb.

[trodder]

Originally Posted by Mobius

OK, got some pics. Here goes.

First two are befores, then afters. Then a shot of the LED DRL's that I have. I originally had the Matrix II from Autolumination, but they were weak. No where near enough light. I sent them back and replaced them with Lighttowers from Autolumination and they are much better. Sorry for the out of focus, as I mentioned before, my camera did not like trying to focus on these lenses. Enjoy.

where did you get the LED driving lights? Those look fantastic!

[trodder]

FWIW mine were really bad and I just yanked them out quick and just rinsed with hot water and viola!!!!! They look new again! I took before pictures and once everything is dry I will post pics of before and after. I also need to get some new bulbs while I am at it since I have one driving light out already.

[trodder]

Originally Posted by trodder

where did you get the LED driving lights? Those look fantastic!

***** EDIT ********

Nevermind.... I just reread the post where you mentioned where you got them. Anyone know if there are any local part stores that carry them like NAPA, Checker, Bumper to Bumper, Autozone etc...