| Are the small lights (not popup ones) a sealed
unit? I have moisture in one of mine that I'd rather like to get
out. I was thinking of taking it out and cleaning the thing but
realised that the light is probably a sealed unit. I have an import.
If it is sealed, anyone successfully pulled one apart and put back
together? (2/00) |
| It's not completely sealed, there's a couple of holes where the
bulbs go in! Might be an idea to remove it (two screws in the front)
and leave it in a warm place for a while to dry. (2/00) |
| I'm surprised though, the moisture has never evaporated. When
the bulb is in place, does it make an airtight seal? I would have
expected the moisture to have gone over time otherwise. It's been
there for at least 6 months. (2/00) |
| Yes, there are rubber seals on the bulb holders. (2/00) |
| I've pulled one apart and managed to put it back together. I have
a '92 Miata and noticed that one light had an orange blinker bulb
(American style) and the other one had an orange plastic cap in
front of a white bulb (European style) I placed the light in an
oven and warmed it up to soften up the black goo so I was able to
separate both pieces. After I had put everything back together again
it also got moisture in it. Used some clear silicone and applied
it onto the housing where the two pieces meet, no more moisture
after that. (2/00) |
| My solution was to take out the assembly and separate it from
the bulbs then set the electric fan oven in the kitchen to 60 -
70 degrees C (dont know what the gas mark equivalent is !) and dry
out all of the condensation - take care to keep the assembly clear
of any heating elements in the oven. Cook for 10 -15 minutes and
serve. If necessary re-seal with a smear of petroleum jelly around
the light fittings and then the condensation should not return.
(4/00) |
| I was wondering if anyone has found a way of keeping
the front indicator units in mk1 cars condensation-free I can dry
them out ok, but the condensation keeps coming back after a few
weeks. I dry them out thoroughly (in a low oven for a couple of
hours, then keep them indoors for a few days, and I have sealed
around the lens/body seam with mastic, and I Vaseline the rubber
gaiter round the bulb-holder, but no joy. This is more than just
a cosmetic problem as the bulb sockets are corroding! (5/01) |
| However, if the lamps are large enough, you could try one of those
little sachets of silicagel that come with cameras. Tie on a thread
so you can get it back, and dump it into the lamp. It will dry the
lamp out. Lamps should have some sort of ventilation, usually at
the lower part to act as a breather and a drain. (5/01) |
|
I have a solution which isn't particularly tidy but it does work
well - drill a row of small holes thru the bottom of the lamp
body so that they are just behind the lens, I think mine were
about 2 or 3mm and there is 5 holes. Ever since I have had no
condensation in the lamp and its cheaper than a new one.
I don't know how the water gets in as I also tried the silicon
treatment first and it made no difference at all, the problem
is that the bulb doesn't actually go into the main part of the
lamp, its behind the yellow lens which effectively seals the lamp
up which is possibly means that the moisture cant escape when
the lamp is in the oven. (5/01)
|
| |