Headlight condensation

[joshb003]

I just got a car wash and noticed a bunch of condensation under drivers side head light. Anyone else having this trouble? I haven't installed any HID or messed with them at all so it's gotta be a warranty issue I'm assuming.

I've set up an appt for the 20th to get it checked out (I'm going on vacation). How big of a deal is it to have condensation under your headlight? Why does it happen, and how do they fix it?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[JoeSakic19]

You can re-seal them. That's what I did since my dealership said it wasn't under warranty...

No more problem

 

[joshb003]

Hey Joe, I've been googling it and I guess it's a bit of a toss up based on the dealership whether or not they will fix it. I've heard sometimes they argue that there's a vent and that condensation is normal etc... well if it's normal how come it only happens in one of my head lights?!?! lol.. I'll be persistent and make the bastards replace it or fix it.

 

[dsgrey]

Interesting topic though I don't have the issue. Searching the NHTSA DB, lots of complaints for different brands including Mazda (but none on M2). I see TSBs on many various brands/models but that does NOT imply it's covered under warranty or free. I also see it varies by dealer whether it's a warranty item or not across the board.

So it's a roll of the dice. If you have opened up the lights or modified them, I'm sure they'll smile and say not covered. Personal opinion, it should be covered but that doesn't count. I'd ask them to pull a lens from stock and show me where the vent exists. It could be a faulty gasket/seal and if an obvious vent does not exist then you have a case. I'm not sure why the M2 lights would have a vent. This is one of the lowest light cars I've owned. I commute from the country (animal hazards in the dark) and I could swear the lows on my 02 Miata are 2 or 3 times brighter than the highs on the M2. So I'm not sure why a vent is needed on the M2 because it's not due to bulb heat from the extremely bright lenses.

Let us know how it turns out. I'd prefer to seal my lenses if a vent exists. I would at least log a complaint on the NHTSA website stating it's a safety hazard (1) condensation reduces visibility and (2) it could blow the bulb. I see they have a TSB on several models including the 2012 M5 for condensation per NHTSA.

 

[PGTBrow]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123811849-condensation-in-Headlights............

More on this topic

 

[MacAttack7]

There is a TSB (technical service bulletin) out on this issue.
Found it on mycarstats.com.

SERVICE BULLETIN:SB-09-057-10 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER:10037655
MFG Bulletin Date: 12/23/2010
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Bulletin Summary: MAZDA: THERE IS CONDENSATION AND FOG IN THE FRONT AND REAR COMBINATION LIGHTS. *RM
Date added to database: 06/01/2011