Head Condensation Test?

[Stingray69]

So like others I have a headlight condensation problem. Just before 36k I took smiley car to the dealer. The tech looked at the light and said they would order me a new one and give me a call when it came in. Two weeks go by and they don't call. I called them today and the service manager said Mazda won't let them order a light until they do a hot tube cold tube test and will need the car for the day. Has anyone heard of this? They offered a loaner but not shaping up to be a take it in swap it out done routine. Seems this is shaping up to be a PITA. @Raider; I fucked up the title can you fix it?

[motherfnmonsta]

When I get into work I will pull the tsb up for u.

Sent from my Android using Forum Runner

[motherfnmonsta]

This is all that is said in the tsb about water or condensation in the head lamp. I my self have not dealt with this, so not sure what techline is making techs to do to confirm head lamp replacement. I just know that these things are not cheap around 800 bucks each and that is the non hid one's,

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CONSUMER NOTICE
: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians.Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazdavehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that
their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Op
EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION OR WATER WITHIN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY
- CAUTION
Bulletin No:
09-003/13
Last Issued:
03/04/2013
Service Bulletin
Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922
MULTI-MODEL - EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION OR
WATER WITHIN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY -
CAUTION
BULLETIN NOTE
• This bulletin supersedes the previous bulletin 09-0
05/11 issued on 02/07/11. The APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/
VINS have been revised.
• Changes are noted below in Red beside the change bar.
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
DESCRIPTION
When dealing with customer
complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the headlamp unit, first
determine if all the bulb sockets are
present and correctly installed. In mo
st cases you will find that the Bulb
Seal No. 1 (A) or HID Bulb Seal No. 1 (B) and Bulb Seal No. 2 (C) socket covers have not been correctly
installed or are missing due to improper prior repairs (i.e., customer replacing the headlamp bulbs or body shop
not transferring them when replacing the headlamp unit(s) due to a collision). Any damage caused by missing
socket covers, HID module seal (D), or missing bumper
brackets (E) is not covered by warranty policy

[Stingray69]

I have the HID headlamps so it must be north of $800. Talked to the service advisor today he was not aware of this procedure but basically said he has to go through the motions. Naturally I have not seen condensation in the light lately. I will post up what they say tomorrow. Thanks @motherfnmonsta;

[motherfnmonsta]

Originally Posted by Stingray69 I have the HID headlamps so it must be north of $800. Talked to the service advisor today he was not aware of this procedure but basically said he has to go through the motions. Naturally I have not seen condensation in the light lately. I will post up what they say tomorrow. Thanks @motherfnmonsta;

Np man, when it comes to head lamps we have to walk on egg shells cause these things are not cheap, good example is with the 2012-2013 mazda 6 I have seen a lot of head lamps have some discoloration or even looks like the the coating is wearing off from the out side and inside, and most times they try to say it is outside influence when I know better especially when I have seen this on more then 1 mazda 6, but we still have to document everything and dot our I and cross our T. Cause this could be a be charge back on us.

The labor is not the expensive part on replacing head lamps, I can do those in my sleep it is just the cost of the housing, and here is the kicker, it is just the housing there is no harness, no ballast no bulbs or nothing.

[Stingray69]

Got car back from dealer. They did not replace the headlight. They claim that Mazda said a certain amount of condensation is normal. Supposedly if they turn the high beam on for 30 minutes and it goes away it is not a problem. I asked why if it is normal why don't both headlights have it. They did not have a good answer. Just like @motherfnmonsta; said, they are worried about not being payed for the headlight after they send it back to Mazda.

[Blackrider]

Originally Posted by Stingray69 Got car back from dealer. They did not replace the headlight. They claim that Mazda said a certain amount of condensation is normal. Supposedly if they turn the high beam on for 30 minutes and it goes away it is not a problem. I asked why if it is normal why don't both headlights have it. They did not have a good answer. Just like @motherfnmonsta; said, they are worried about not being payed for the headlight after they send it back to Mazda.

Most auto manufacturers have an acceptable spec for headlight condensation. They won't replace them until the condensation starts pooling in the headlight. Gay, I know.

[BloodySpeed3]

Resurrecting from the dead lol. @motherfnmonsta; has been extremely helpful in the past about this. And he's right about the dealerships being super stingy on headlamp assemblies. Even the service manager that I'm practically drinking buddies with won't help me out with a headlamp condensation issue. It's on only one headlamp, and not the other. I got a new MS3 and the HID lamps seem to be sealed pretty frikin tight. They haven't been touched since I bought the car, and when I take in for a customer wash at my Mazda dealership, I noticed the condensation. It has never been a problem before, even with heavy rain.
@motherfnmonsta; do you have any ideas for what to check? Where this water might be getting in through? I've left my lights on and it only steams up the light, it doesn't dry up the water. When it cools, the water is formed into large drops that run down the lamp. I would imagine this isn't the same as that misty condensation that some people might experience, right?

[motherfnmonsta]

Sounds like you got a leak some where. I would explain wat you just told us to the service manager and ask him to pour water over the headlamp like you ate washing the car to duplicate. I would also try and get corporate or the dsm involved to.

sent while tapping that ass

[Stingray69]

Good luck, I have gone round and round with the stealership and still have the problem. The best solution I have found is drive the car, you can't see it from the drivers seat. Good news, this is the only issue I have had at 40k. Bad news is they are not willing to acknowledge it is a problem or fix it.

[BloodySpeed3]

Originally Posted by Stingray69 Good luck, I have gone round and round with the stealership and still have the problem. The best solution I have found is drive the car, you can't see it from the drivers seat. Good news, this is the only issue I have had at 40k. Bad news is they are not willing to acknowledge it is a problem or fix it.

That really sucks.. mine just scratched 20k. I'm gonna give it a shot. I might be the lucky one, who knows :? If they do decide to fix/replace, I'll post here.

[IHIERBal]

I actually had the issue happen to me as well. 2010 ms3, first time i had the issue around 20k miles they said there wasn't enough condensation built up for them to replace. Luckily it just got a lot worse before my 3/36 expired and they did actually replace it. I work for Nissan and as far as Nissans go, they say a slight mist is normal. But if there is an actual drop it's deemed warrantable.