water in headlight

Try googling for 'water in headlight' and see if anything there is of help. It is apparently a widespread problem in all manner of vehicles. I guess this is one area in which ancient sealed-beam lights had an advantage. I'd be just as concerned to find out _how_ the water got in there in the first place if it were mine-- usually these things are pretty well sealed.

It looks like I have to dissemble the who front of the car!

On the old starlets (KP10) and several other models I used to drill a couple of small holes in the bottom outer edge of the lens to let the water out. Solved the tail-light bulb and socket problems.

As long as the mud does not plug the holes it will all run back out again.

On the KPs I never found the hatch seals to contribute to the problem or the solution. Had the same problem on the TE and AE 70 series Corollas and the KE and TE 50 and 30 series as well on occaision.

And Toyota was far from the only manufactiurer that had the problem. GM headlights in the 90s were common.. I know guys who would slop silicone sealer all around the joint between the lens and the body and STILL get water in them. (secret appeared to be dialectric grease on the rubber boot over the bulb socket, and make sure the vent tube went DOWN!!

How would you change a light bulb? Wouldn't the same process serve to drain the water?

Nope, the bulb comes out of the reflector without removing it (the reflector assembly). Getting the reflector out can be a few hours work on some vehicles.

Doesn't work even in the summer time.. The moisture left in the headlight evapourates and raises to the top of the headlight - it does not go out the hole for the bulb.. And next time it rains or whatever, it fills up again.

I wonder if you can't just aim a hairdryer in there (with a tube) to dry it out completely? Or just leave the bulb hole open overnight and let the water just evaporate naturally? Indoors, if possible.

Yousuf Khan