Aratinga

I know lots of folks here have had their headlamp lenses get fogged and clouded on the inside surface, and the dealer replaced the headlamps under warranty. Is there a TSB for this? I couldn't find one on Rosenthal's site. My car's going in for the broken heater control **** and I figured I'd ask for the headlamp replacement too -- the fogging inside mine is getting worse with age.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

just ask and tell them to replace it, it's a warranty item, don't really need a tsb for it

demob05

I've also noticed this... is the cloudy buildup due to the HID lamps (maybe heat and condensation), and are those experiencing this also equipped with HID Xenons??

Nubo

it is a safety item as well as a cosmetic one. HID are out-of-spec when the glass is dirty and can throw too much light into oncoming eyes.

demob05

Curious how this works.. so it is designed to cloud up to prevent too much exposure (to oncoming traffic)? HIDs seem pretty bright from the get go.

cgrx

he is saying it is dangerous

Tigster

I just brought my car in and showed it to the dealer and they replaced them. At first my dealer tried to say there was nothing wrong with them, after I showed them in person they ordered new lights.

Aratinga

Thanks everybody! Yes, I've got the Xenons on a very early-build '04. Tigster, have your new replacement lenses stayed clear?

Tigster

Not totally, they have clouded up on the inside of the lens (closest to the hood ordnament) But the old headlights were totally covered. I wasnt going to worry about it unless it starts to go towards the center of the light where the bulb is.

Nubo

No, I am saying that a cloudy lens makes the light more dangerous. HID are designed with a very well-defined cutoff. This is because HID light tends to "dazzle", and appear extremely glaring to other drivers. If the lens gets dirty, the light is scattered and gets in peoples' eyes. When the lens is clear, very little shines above the cutoff line. This is why some countries mandate headlight washers for HID - to keep the lens clean so the light isn't scattered.

MintyFresh

Mine was imported from Japan so i doubt i will be able to claim anything under waranty, so if there's no recall i guess i'm screwed

Aratinga

I took my car in to the dealer today and they've ordered new headlamps. Should be in in a few days. Got a new heater **** too, to replace the one that broke off. Gotta love a 4-year, 50K mile warranty!