I got some moisture inside the passenger side headlight during recent cold weather. I bought the new car two weeks ago. Not sure whether it is normal or not. Anyone has solution?
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Moisture in the headlight
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- 2020 hybrid headlight moisture
MunanuM
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I’d call the dealer and ask. May need a replacement. I’ve never seen this in mine.
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Condensation in your headlight means a faulty seal - either where the bulbs fit in at the wiring harness or the seal where the plastic lens is attached to the housing.
On my previous car I had the same thing happen as you pictured. They replaced the whole headlight assembly.
On my previous car I had the same thing happen as you pictured. They replaced the whole headlight assembly.
And DONT let them try to convince you otherwise.
Looks like I have the same problem. I don't think there is a removable bulb in this set up is there? I already know what the dealer is going to say.
Hmmm that's "perfectly normal"
This is the first time this has happened. Washed the car about 9 days ago. We had a fairly sudden temp drop over the last couple days from +2C to -26C.
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Hmmm that's "perfectly normal"
This is the first time this has happened. Washed the car about 9 days ago. We had a fairly sudden temp drop over the last couple days from +2C to -26C.
This is one of the things mentioned on the Japanese site that tracks Rav 4 issues, Chrome has a translator,
トヨタRAV4のトラブル事情、未リコールの故障事例まとめ | CARTUNEマガジン
トヨタRAV4のトラブル事情、未リコールの故障事例まとめ | CARTUNEマガジン
Not gonna lie, I have seen this being posted heavily for over a year on that JP site @Variman posted above... I elected not to bring light to it since no one has ever complained here in NA, and I thought it was mainly due to the modifications those JP users were doing in and around the lamp assembly. Silver lining is I’ve heard no issue users getting it handled under warranty.
Have to take a break from GME. Here's the hashtag search of 'some' cases (there are others, but most posts don't include the proper tags for convenience) about the problem on the JP forum if anyone wants to see. It's not a 100% sealed unit like older cars, and mostly happens if water gets trapped where the lens binds to the housing with drastic temperature swings where condensation can occur:
My confusion on these leaks came from people cracking the headlight open to replace the parking light reflector and then complaining of leaks and getting it covered under warranty. In Japan, they don't have our orange parking reflector, instead it's white with no light passthrough. The problem happens on both lens styles, but here's a teardown of the LE lampstyle:
Also, the same can happen on the rear lenses but I've only seen it popup 2-3x:
cartune.me
My confusion on these leaks came from people cracking the headlight open to replace the parking light reflector and then complaining of leaks and getting it covered under warranty. In Japan, they don't have our orange parking reflector, instead it's white with no light passthrough. The problem happens on both lens styles, but here's a teardown of the LE lampstyle:
Also, the same can happen on the rear lenses but I've only seen it popup 2-3x:
RAV4のKJさんが投稿したカスタム事例｜車のカスタム情報はCARTUNE
☔️後テールレンズ内汗かいてました💦いろいろみると左右テールレンズフチは緑で囲ったような接着不良なようなものがいっぱい…今度の1年点検時に聞いてみよう！
cartune.me
Interesting. Well I certainly haven't taken the lens off to do any mods in there. We did just experience a fairly good temp drop, so I'm thinking that must it it. Both happened at exactly the same time. Both sides are affected. Both look to have about the same amount of moisture. I will call the dealer today and see what they say.
Do it up! The only annoyance I gathered from the other site is the staining/streaking that occurs inside the lens when the moisture evaporates. I have seen users just seal the crap out of it with clear RTV silicone and call it day, but it really depends how much it'll bug you in the long run...
The condensation won't affect operation of the lamp, and there's no risk of rust or electrical damage. The sad thing is, users that had it replaced still experienced the problem with the new unit afterwards because of their location seeing those temp differences and the headlamp not being a 100% sealed unit. For example altitude difference in mountainous regions of Hakuba, similar to you and BC coast/okanagan @The Falken.
I've seen a few people in a RAV4 Prime QC FB group having that issue with some having the headlight replaced under warranty.
That's exactly what I was just thinking.....sealed unit with temp variations like we get up here may just cause this again.
Anyways I did call the dealer, and I have to eat my words. Sorry Peace Country Toyota.
They asked me to send pics of both headlights, VIN and odometer and said it is NOT normal and they are going to look after it.
So...hopefully it wont happen again.
NC '19 Rav4 Hybrid Limited, Entune 3.0, Adaptive Headlights, Advanced Technology Package
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I would think that with the heat from the LED bulbs, there would have to be some means of evacuating the heat from the area between the bulbs and the lens. Which would imply an opening or is there a fan? Does the condensation go away with the lights on?That's exactly what I was just thinking.....sealed unit with temp variations like we get up here may just cause this again.
Anyways I did call the dealer, and I have to eat my words. Sorry Peace Country Toyota.
They asked me to send pics of both headlights, VIN and odometer and said it is NOT normal and they are going to look after it.
So...hopefully it wont happen again.
Let us know what you find out.
Will do. The dealer told me it was a sealed unit. Now thinking about it I agree, you would think there must be something in there to allow venting? Nothing can evaporate out yet as it is frozen to the lens. Well I guess it could sublimate out of there lol. I will keep you in the loop.
Sunny here today but -25 this morning. Ill go for a drive into the sun for awhile and see what happens.
Tomato, toma-toe, it is sealed per-se, but that's a loose definition in itself. If I can pry open a couple of clips to separate the lens from the housing like some dashboard trim that's not sealed by my definition. I'm talking heat-sealed edges watertight sealed like in the past, which this is not, looks like we got another "gasket" seal. Gasket + RAV4 is quickly becoming a meme in itself 😂
I also have a 2021 in the US and just had this happen after a big rain storm on both head lights I just passed the 3 year warranty on the vehicle is this covered after that passes?
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