My 5 1/2 years old Toyota Corolla's headlight lens

Sosie

Sosie

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The question is: How do you remove the headlight lens to clean the inside due to fogging???

Should I bring it to the body shop and let them cleaning them for me? Or can I do it myself? (with what?)

Any thoughts???

:ty:,
Sosie
 
Sounds like there may be a chip or a sealing issue. It shouldn't fog up unless there's a hole in it.
 
if your headlight glasses is made of plastic - you're screwed. you'll need to get new one.

if it's made of real glasses, it is a bit quite a hassle to take it apart and back on especially with a sealing rubber (it's suggested that you get a new one) but it's not hard.
 
Hubby says it depends on the kind of fixture it is.

If the bulb can be removed from behind the bumper, then it can be taken out, and use a warm hair dryer to dry out the moisture. Then, replace the bulb, and make sure it seals properly.

If it can't be removed from the back then, sadly, you probably need to replace the unit.
 
Reba said:
Hubby says it depends on the kind of fixture it is.

If the bulb can be removed from behind the bumper, then it can be taken out, and use a warm hair dryer to dry out the moisture. Then, replace the bulb, and make sure it seals properly.

If it can't be removed from the back then, sadly, you probably need to replace the unit.
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yea I was in middle of looking up for a diagram of its headlight lens assembly. still looking.
 
2006-toyota-corolla-4-door-sedan-le-auto-natl-headlight_100299141_m.jpg


Like that? Replace a new one.
 
Lot of work. I still have tools for that. Hey The Highlander.... I love ur work. Hey, Sosie, mind if you come to my work, do the headlight len replacement for 2 hours labor? My trick work is about 15 minute to replace a headlight len without remove front bumper. Big money. I can't wait. Lol
 
Jiro said:
wow.... what a poorly designed headlight. It's very easy to remove headlight from my 1999 Saab.

removing bumper just to remove headlight? get outta here. I'd fire design team.
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Same thing with my Subaru and almost all GM at work that I know so far.

Bad Toyota design for electric accelerator pedal too.

toyota_accelerator_recall.jpg
 
:lol:

Thanks, everyone!

My car's headlight lens are made of polycarbonate plastic.. I like the glass lens better because they never get fogged. I like old days better. Well, I guess I am kind of an old-fashioned lady. :lol:

Alright, I will bring my car to the shop as same time as the maintenance light comes on every 10,000 miles to remind me to change the oil and other required service. (Which is due next week.) There is a procedure to reset the light. I still have a 7 year warranty. (One year and half left.. I was thinking of extending my car coverage or buy a new car. I haven't decided yet.. )

Thanks again!
 
I forgot to add that I agree with you, guys that it's a lot of work to replace the lens. Let the mechanic to do all the work for me but I will ask him to see if it's worth to replace the lens.
 
Sosie said:
I forgot to add that I agree with you, guys that it's a lot of work to replace the lens. Let the mechanic to do all the work for me but I will ask him to see if it's worth to replace the lens.
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Ok, I have one question for you.... Was any repairs that involved with headlight bulb replacement? If so, it is mechanic's fault for not secure the headlight bulb socket in, that caused poor sealing like banjo mentioned.
I hope you can be pretend to ask a mechanic to see if he can wipe the fog off inside with a ramrod with a soft towel wrapped. Or you request maintenance service on your car and try to ask them to see if they can fix fogged headlight len. Maybe no charge for it. Hope that help. Dst
 
deafsmogtech said:
Ok, I have one question for you.... Was any repairs that involved with headlight bulb replacement? If so, it is mechanic's fault for not secure the headlight bulb socket in, that caused poor sealing like banjo mentioned.
I hope you can be pretend to ask a mechanic to see if he can wipe the fog off inside with a ramrod with a soft towel wrapped. Or you request maintenance service on your car and try to ask them to see if they can fix fogged headlight len. Maybe no charge for it. Hope that help. Dst
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Shoot, yes, they did replace the bulbs in the past. Maybe you and Banjo two are right. I will have to talk with the mechanic about this when I bring my car to the shop next week. I am sure they will fix them at no charge because I still have a warranty. Keep you guys posted.
Thanks for your advice!!! :)
 
Sosie said:
Shoot, yes, they did replace the bulbs in the past. Maybe you and Banjo two are right. I will have to talk with the mechanic about this when I bring my car to the shop next week. I am sure they will fix them at no charge because I still have a warranty. Keep you guys posted.
Thanks for your advice!!! :)
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welcome, not me. I thank to Reba's hubby and Banjo. Somehow my brain pop out that I ve seen some headlight sockets in the vehicles, were not fastened proper, some of them were fall out that explains poor sealing.
Hope they fix it for u at no charge.
 
Are your headlight lens "yellowed" and hazy?

If yes, you are one of the millions of us that have this problem. It is not condensation inside the lens. The plastic surface on the outside is oxidized and has UV damage. My 7 year old Accord has it.

You will have to sand it down in steps and buff the plastic. There are many "headlight restoring kits" out there. If you take about 1/32" of plastic off the surface, it makes a big difference.

BUT, if you are 100% sure there is moisture inside your headlight, that is a different issue. All headlights come with vent holes, when your headlight is on, it generates a lot of heat and the condensation evaporates through the vents.
 
deafsmogtech said:
welcome, not me. I thank to Reba's hubby and Banjo. Somehow my brain pop out that I ve seen some headlight sockets in the vehicles, were not fastened proper, some of them were fall out that explains poor sealing.
Hope they fix it for u at no charge.
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I don't think this one because they are tighten well enough.
I am sure they will fix it for me at no charge. Thanks. ;)
Thanks, everyone, just the same.
 
green427 said:
Are your headlight lens "yellowed" and hazy?

If yes, you are one of the millions of us that have this problem. It is not condensation inside the lens. The plastic surface on the outside is oxidized and has UV damage. My 7 year old Accord has it.

You will have to sand it down in steps and buff the plastic. There are many "headlight restoring kits" out there. If you take about 1/32" of plastic off the surface, it makes a big difference.

BUT, if you are 100% sure there is moisture inside your headlight, that is a different issue. All headlights come with vent holes, when your headlight is on, it generates a lot of heat and the condensation evaporates through the vents.
Click to expand...

Yes.
Yeah, I have seen other cars have similar problem, too, like mine. You mentioned that the plastic surface on the outside is oxidized and has UV damage. I didn't know that. Interesting. Well, I guess I am still learning every day. OK, I will ask the mechanic to have a look at them. (I don't want to do it myself.. Let the mechanic to do his job... )
Thanks so much, Green427!!!
 
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