Moisture/water intrusion into Right Front Headlight Assy

[QuantumRift]

Hi Everybody! Been a while since I posted a message - my 2012 Genny has been a great car, but showing some age now. Has anybody had any problems with water or moisture getting into the headlight assemblies? We had no issues until this past winter - we had to leave unexpectedly and for about three months and the car was sitting in the driveway. We got back a couple of weeks ago, after the winter, and notices moisture in the right front headlight assembly! I searched the 2009-2014 forum for info but found nothing..

We have a Zurich extended warranty and after having local Hyundai dealer call them, they say the part isn't 'covered', even though the info I have clearly states .."external light assemblies". I can understand that they wouldn't cover a plastic housing that has clouded and scratched, but I've taken great car with my headlight assemblies (I use the Xpel headlight protection kit).

The dealer quoted me a price of $1800 to R&R the assembly (and I am more than capable of R&R the part myself or repair the assembly where it's leaking)...has anybody had issues with their headlight assemblies? She said the assembly alone is $1500. That's one of the reasons we purchased the extended warranty. Duh. However, I now I can probably find new or used assemblies on Amazon or eBay if I need to go that route. Since my headlight assemby, under the Xpel plastic protection film, is virtually new (no fading, scratches, nicks, or UV damage) if I could keep the assembly and repair it, that would be even better.

Thx, I have a 2012 3.6L Prem/Tech pkg with articulated lights.

 

[PMCErnie]

Great to see you back again!

No such problems with my Premium '12. It's usually garaged.

 

[QuantumRift]

Thanks for the response, but unfortunately, it doesn't help me!

The local dealer (Ricart) looked at it and called Zurich. Yep, it's not covered, however, IF said moisture were to cause a malfunction in the assembly, yes it would be covered. Sort of like "Zombie Apocalypse" clause in home owner insurance.

SO that leaves me with the necessity of repairing this myself...remove the assembly and examine it for points of intrusion and try to reseal it. I have ordered dessicant packets to use inside the assembly to remove the moisture, so I guess that's about all there is I can do at this point. Or buy a new assembly.

 

[Ambush]

Hey
I am so sorry as I have JUST experienced this a month or so ago. I knew my warranty would not say anything so I just parked the car in the sun and the water evaporated slowly but surely. My only issue the inside lenses have a small haze in them that you can see at night when the headlights are on. My visibility is not restricted it just annoys me a bit. You would be better off looking on crashparts.com or do a salvage yard search for the same lights. $1800 is crazy to me. For that cost you may as well get the PRADA assembly. LOL

I hope that helps a bit.

 

[QuantumRift]

Thx for the reply. The amount of moisture in the assembly is just crazy. I ordered some "Dry&Dry" desicant for $11 off Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071DDYFNS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am trying to figure out how to remove the assembly on this - does the front end bumper have to come off or what? I can't find anything on the 'net or on YouTUbe or here, for that matter, to guide me.

I am going to remove it and put in several packs of the Dry&Dry, then try to determine where the leak is.

As for going to a savage yard, etc...the issue I have with that is that from day one, I've had the Xpel Headlight protection kit ON the headllights. SO any used headlight assembly I can find will be, well, obviously used. Under the Xpel plastic, these lenses are neither faded nor scratched nor pitted. Hence my desire to keep the headlights looking new.

So, getting back to my question: Does anybody know, or has anybody REMOVED their sedan's headlight assembly and if so, how did you do it?

Thanks,

Q