fog light fogging up

[DeltaT]

My right fog light has moisture in it and is fogging up. It's hard to see on the picture but it is definitely not clear.

So I took it apart, cleaned and dried it and resealed it but apparently didn't do a very good job because there is still some moisture trapped inside.
The unit apparently should not be totally sealed because it has a vent at the back.
Has anybody been successful doing this? Any tips or should I just forget it and buy a replacement? If so, I am sure there are fellow Mudders out that that are willing to part from it after upgrading to an ARB bumper.

 

[mgilvan]

Sry to hear that
One solution : older Range Rovers (P38A)had 2 tube going to the fog light, one from the top and one to the bottom , the general idea was to circulate the hot air from the fog light by inserting colder air . the key to remember is to keep the temperature down inside the fog light .
So if you can achieve this cooling cycle by inserting/blowing colder air from the front bumper into the fog light from the opening into the back you solve this. Good luck

 

[2000UZJ]

What did you reseal it with? What was your method of disassembly? Fog lights are small, and generate a lot of heat, so a special glue is required. When you turn the fog light on the heat generated from the bulb drives out the moisture and when you turn it off it will pull in moisture. Make sure the drain tube is downwards. You can also cap it, just to play around.

 

[DeltaT]

I disassembled the light again and took my time cleaning it up the best I could.
I resealed it with regular silicone, white stuff that dries up clear. That might not have been a good idea but we will see. It is drying now and I will mount it tomorrow and see what it does.

I've made a couple of pictures for those who are interested:

 

[lakhum]

Any link for D.I.Y disassembly of the fog lights?

 

[DeltaT]

What did you reseal it with? What was your method of disassembly? Fog lights are small, and generate a lot of heat, so a special glue is required. .....

Dang 2000UZJ, I hate to admit it, but you were right. The silicone I used didn't work. I left it to dry overnight, but my wife needed the truck so I had to put the unit back in the next day. It started raining (of course) and the silicone started to run out. It made a big mess.
So today I took the unit out again and disassembled it (I have no DIY for it btw) and used proper professional (black) sealant.

I was a pita to make it look half decent. The tube I got was meant to be used with an air tool, but I didn't have one available. It wouldn't flow and It's very tough and sticky stuff. And almost impossible to get off my hands. I am sure it will do a better job at sealing the unit.

If this doesn't work, I will probably replace it with a new one I found these online.

 

[2000UZJ]

Dang 2000UZJ, I hate to admit it, but you were right. The silicone I used didn't work. I left it to dry overnight, but my wife needed the truck so I had to put the unit back in the next day. It started raining (of course) and the silicone started to run out. It made a big mess.
So today I took the unit out again and disassembled it (I have no DIY for it btw) and used proper professional (black) sealant.

I was a pita to make it look half decent. The tube I got was meant to be used with an air tool, but I didn't have one available. It wouldn't flow and It's very tough and sticky stuff. And almost impossible to get off my hands. I am sure it will do a better job at sealing the unit.

If this doesn't work, I will probably replace it with a new one I found these online.

I would look into a high temp black silicon that comes in a caulk gun. Cut the tip so it dispenses in a very small stream. You will want the bead to look like a weld (stacked dimes).You also need to clean all the old sealant out. I think I can get some Perma-Seal on my hands so I will let you know if I can source some for you, that will be your best bet and the stuff is very cheap. The issue with that is you have one shot to get it right...it doesn't come apart. Harbor Freight has really cheap Caulk guns, that would be enough to seal the fog light back up.


Funny, it looks like they used butyl glue from the factory...did you just bake them and peeled them open? If so, I'll send you some butyl glue and that will get you taken care of.

 

[DeltaT]

Thanks for the offer but it is all done now. The light is back in the truck.
Yes it looked like butyl glue to me too and it was very difficult to clean the unit. It took hours to pry it off. I heated the stuff up as much as I could without damaging the light.

 

[DeltaT]

It held up for a couple of weeks, but this morning it was foggy again.

There is no way I can get this fog light water tight. I am giving up.
If there is any out there that is willing to part from their passenger side fog light, let me know. In the meantime I will search the web for a decent replacement. There must be people out there with replacement bumpers.
These are only ones I can find so far. Ouch...

 

[DeltaT]

I've ordered a set of fog lights I mentioned in my previous post in Japan. I just can't stand looking at that fogged up lens. It will probably take a couple of weeks to get it here, I will post it when I have them. I am curious how the greenish lens looks on my truck.

 

[Tyler93]

I've got the same dilemma. P.S. fog light. keep us updated when you get the new lights. I might have to go that route unless I can find a used one.

 

[1loudLX]

You know, if you put a Slee bumper on you wouldn't have to worry about foglights anymore...

 

[DeltaT]

I've got the same dilemma. P.S. fog light. keep us updated when you get the new lights. I might have to go that route unless I can find a used one.

Okay, I will. I dealt with them directly without using eBay. They gave me a small discount on them. I will post when I get them.
Too bad is the passenger side. I have a perfectly good driver sight one for you.

 

[DeltaT]

Latest news:

Thank you for purchasing our item and easy, pleasant transaction with us.
We have just completed your shipment from Japan,
now traveling your important package to your Door-Step.

 

[2000UZJ]

Latest news:

I wonder what they say about floor mats...

 

[DeltaT]

I received the Fog lights today. It took just a week, amazing shipping time, I'm pleasantly surprised. And no duty and taxes so I am pretty happy. I mounted them and they look great:

 

[Tbay LX]

Glad to see you've got it all sorted. I'm having a similar issue, except that my light isn't just fogging up, it's filling with water to the point of shorting out the bulbs. I wrote a post about it a couple days ago. I'm stuck on removing the housing from the bumper, not sure how to disconnect the wiring, could you give me a bit of a walk though? I know it's probably dead easy. Do you still have that defective light, I may want to take it off your hands if so, I can deal with a little fog for now, as I'm planning to get a bumper in a couple months.

 

[DeltaT]

It was just a slight fogging but enough for me to replace it. Maybe I am too much of a perfectionist, ask my wife.

Removing the lights form the bumper is pretty straight forward. Three nut on the back. They should then just pop out when you push on the back of the unit. Thy can be quite sticky when they have been in your bumper for a long time as dirt builds up.
Once they are out, there are two plugs that you basically unplug. There are little lips that keep the plugs in place. There is also a little tab that holds the wiring in place. You can use a plier to work it loose form the unit.

Here a picture of the back. You can see one nut and those plugs

I can sell you both if you want. The driver side is good and like I said, the passenger side fogs up a bit. If not, I will keep them for spare parts, like the bulbs, glass, plugs etc...
I googled Thunder bay because I am heading your way tomorrow, well I am heading for Sault Ste Marie, so I guess not north enough.

 

[Tbay LX]

Awesome, I'm trying to figure out if your lights will fit my truck. I have a '98, as far as I can tell, they didn't change them, but I'm not sure. Anyone have an idea? How much would you'd be asking for the pair? Is this black knob the plug you are saying you pull out with pliers?

 

[DeltaT]

I don't think they changed the design so it should fit, but here is an idea.

You PM me your address and I will ship them to you. You can then try them out and see if they fit and work.
If you like them, let me know and pay me whatever you think is fair (+shipping). If you don't like them or they don't fit for some reason, just pay shipping and send them back.

And yes, that is the little knobby thing. Just push the two wider pieces in (blue arrows) with a plier and push up (red arrow)
You can do this while the unit is removed from the bumper. The wire should be long enough.