Car question

11BravoCrunchie

What is the best way to get moisture out of the inside of a headlight lens assembly that uses halogen bulbs (without removing the lens assembly from the car, if possible)?

11BravoCrunchie

For those who are disqusted and are already telling me to try a car forum. Did that, so calm down.
Anyway, I think ive fiqured out that I just need to clean the throttle body on my 03 Avalanche 1500 but Have no idea how its done. Ive looked up a couple of manuals and some seem simple and others overly complicated. Before I go to tearing my engine down just would like someone that may have done it to let me know if you were an amature ,at best, with engines would you even attempt it. Or should I just suck it up and pay someone?

11BravoCrunchie

I have a 2004 ford taurus that i parked over the winter now it wont move. Pulled it in my driveway ( very steap incline ) and it sat all winter. It starts just wont go anywere. I pulled the tranny dipstick and it looks like its way over full. I dont get what could have happened from just sitting over the winter. I'm thinking about draining and flushing the trans and trying it then.

11BravoCrunchie

2000 Honda Accord, parked outside for about two months. Started up and drove around today and I'm getting a scraping tick which speeds up as the car speeds up and stops when the car stops. I figured the brake rotors go mighty rusty but I drove around about about 10 minutes and put the brakes on pretty hard several times and it's still doing it.

Aside from the noise, no problems with how the car is operating.

Any ideas?

11BravoCrunchie

OK my car would not start up the other morning it would turn over but wouldn't start, so i went to work came home and tried it again and it took about 3 tries before it started. i don't think the battery is bad b/c i checked the battery, my lights and everything seem fine no dimming of any kind when trying to start it, even tried jumping it off. so i took the starter to a local shop and they replaced the solenoid on it. NOW the engine doesn't even turn over, the starter just clicks. tried the old tap with a hammer trick, did nothing, all i get is a clicking noise. what else is wrong with the starter? i payed 40$ to get the solenoid fixed, should i try a new battery cause i figure i can always take it back right. the battery is a few years old.


its a 99 pontiac grand am 2.4 litter 4 cylinder

11BravoCrunchie

Is there a car out there that's preferrably AWD, a 4cyl, gets decent gas mileage, and sits up higher than the normal rice rockets?

11BravoCrunchie

WIfe has a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. 3.3L engine. Went to take the kids to school today, backed out of the drive, put it in drive, and nada. Nothing. Went back and forth between P and D a couple of times and it went into gear. Went to pull out on the road, and again nada. Finally got it in reverse and parked it. Fluid is good. No strange noises or clunks or thuds. Fluid and filter change for starters? Or what???

11BravoCrunchie

Probably a can of worms but...

What do you guys think of the Hyundai Sonata as far as reliability, value and quality?

11BravoCrunchie

What other makes beside Subaru include a small tool kit?

Blade Slinger

Might try hair dryer, just dont get them to hot.

kidthatsirish

you might be able to remove the bulb and slide in a tube with atached trigger pump to get it all out...then leave the bulb out for a while so that it can dry out for a couple of hours.

Of course the most threw way would to remove the lens assembly, it honestly shouldnt be more than two bots...maybe none.

catpealer111

Remove the housing and bake it in the oven at 150 degrees for 5 minutes or so. That'll take are of the moisture and might help reseal the bond between the lens and bucket.

grumpygy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRSaHe78g4g

CaptFun

I had to drill a hole in my '89 Mustang lens, It was always filling up with water.

11BravoCrunchie

quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
Remove the housing and bake it in the oven at 150 degrees for 5 minutes or so. That'll take are of the moisture and might help reseal the bond between the lens and bucket.


Should I put it bulb openings up? Just set it on the oven rack, or put it on a baking sheet? More information is needed.

catpealer111

Marinade it in teriaki first and then baste every two minutes. Orientation doesn't matter, but I would put it on a towel or something so the plastic housing isn't sitting directly on the hot metal of the oven rack. Also, monitor it, don't just throw it in and walk away.

andrewsw16

Take it easy on the temperature. 100-150 MAX, preferring the lower end of the temperature range. You are just trying to get it warm enough to thoroughly evaporate the moisture. If you take it too high, you will get warping and eventually, melting. [:)]

select-fire

Silicone around the back of the housing where the bulb goes in.

Spartacus

agree with the low temp bake. had to do that on a RAM p/u. check it every 15 minutes. when the moisture is gone, turn off the oven and let it cool down with the oven door partly open.
than, as mentioned already get some clear silicon caulk and seal the bulb housing. just use your finger and apply a thin film so you get the bulb out w/o cracking the plastic housing. trust me on that point![B)]



tom

bartman45

Unless the area where the seal letting in moisture is fixed, the moisture will probably return.

fideau

Can't remember which car it was but I did the drill small hole thing one time and didn't have any trouble after that.

LaidbackDan

Hammer

jimdeere

Nitrogen

UNIVERSITY50

Check for an aftermarket replacement assembly. I bought a new aftermarket for my van and it is made by the same company that make the OEM one. $56 for aftermarket & $198 for OEM. The old one will continue to refill with moisture.[:(]

evileye fleagal

i heated a paper-clip up and just put a small weep hole in it,done was never any moisture problem again.

topdad

quote:Originally posted by CaptFun
I had to drill a hole in my '89 Mustang lens, It was always filling up with water.

have done the same thing many times with good results.

JnRockwall

drill a 1/8 inch hole in the lowest part of the cover. That way if there is water inside it, it will get out and allow it to dry out.

Warbirds

drill holes at 6 and 12 O'clock. Force acetylene in from the lower holes. Ignite the acetylene- this should clear up your water, if not repeat until the water is gone.



disclaimer- I have never ever heard of anyone using this technique

dcon12

quote:Originally posted by Dave W.
drill holes at 6 and 12 O'clock.


AM or PM? Don

bigoutside

First. Remain calm.

Second. Don't drill a hole in the lens.
The condensate is a function of relative humidity. Unless you are willing to pull a vaccum and maintain it in the lens assembly, you need a different solution.

Assuming that the void in the assembly is airtight, now would be a good time to pull out the lamp holder from the rear of the assembly. (assuming it is butt cold outside like it is at my house )

Or, if you must get out your drill, drill a hole in the lamp assembly that finds its home inside the engine compartment rather than through the lens. I sincerely doubt up down sideways or underneath will make a lot of difference. Because the hallogen is going to make things toasty inside. And condensation should be on the cooler outside.

BUT!!
if you make a hole where the automatic car wash can drive water into your lens assembly, you will be changing bulbs everytime you wash your car. And that gets expensive.

edit for clarity

11BravoCrunchie

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll just try baking it tomorrow.

LaidbackDan

quote:Originally posted by dcon12
quote:Originally posted by Dave W.
drill holes at 6 and 12 O'clock.


AM or PM? Don
digital or analog?

john w

depending on the car make it may be cheaper to replace it. Usually 35.00-40.00 for a repop replacement on e-bay or your local parts store. A good sunny day will evaporate it and then pull it and reseal it if you do not want to replace it.

bigoutside

quote:Originally posted by LaidbackDan
quote:Originally posted by dcon12
quote:Originally posted by Dave W.
drill holes at 6 and 12 O'clock.


AM or PM? Don
digital or analog?


Oh you think you are so clever.[:D][:D][:D]
The real question is 'standard' or 'day light savings'

wiplash

quote:Originally posted by Zulu7
What is the best way to get moisture out of the inside of a headlight lens assembly that uses halogen bulbs (without removing the lens assembly from the car, if possible)?


Another use for Blocks!

1. Throw Block at Headlights
2. Air out broken headlights for one hour.
3. Go buy new Headlights!

KEVD18

stay calm...