Condensation in front light units

[hartley]

Has anybody with a db9 or Vantage experienced this problem - if so is it serious/can it be fixed under warranty or do the dealers try to resist doing so ?

[AstonZagato]

My DB9 has it a bit but it has never bothered me enough to try a fix.

[bogie]

very slightly...but it goes away after 10mins of having the lights on etc so never bothered about it

[GR1FF1F]

Mentioned it when I first got my Vantage. Apparently the units are not sealed airtight, but have some kind of breathable filter. This inevitably means that moisture can enter and condenses on the glass when the temperature falls. In theory the heat from the bulb should cause it to evaporate and then over time pass back out of the filter, but my understanding is that particularly when the air is damp outside of the unit this can take some time.

[clorenzen]

Mine constantly mist up but there is no cure for this. There is a membrane between the unit and the mounting which is supposed to take care of the condensation issue but it is not working properly in my opinion.

[hartley]

Thanks for the information - sounds like a design fault we just have to live with - let's hope it does not lead to rust.

[VirginiaUSA]

Does the condensation leave dust particles on the inside of the glass after it has evaporated?

[AstonZagato]

No, doesn't seem to.

[sadlerj]

Mine was not evaporating when I had the headlights on so Aston replaced both headlight units. It still happens but now it evaporates. Apparently there is a Gore-tex membrane that lets them breathe.

[JohnG1]

Sadlerj - did the dealer say that they normally do this or did you kick up a fuss? I have this in my lights and I have driven considerable distances - in the dry - with the headlights on and the condensation never seems to go away. I have to go to the dealers to get a tyre pressure monitor replaced to I wonder if I'll mention this as well.

ta!

[clorenzen]

John,

Mine is the same. It does not really get that much better when driving. It kind of reduces itself to the lower part of the glasshield. I am at Works Service tomorrow for a service, so I will check with them and report back on the Board.

[sadlerj]

JohnG1 said:

Sadlerj - did the dealer say that they normally do this or did you kick up a fuss? I have this in my lights and I have driven considerable distances - in the dry - with the headlights on and the condensation never seems to go away. I have to go to the dealers to get a tyre pressure monitor replaced to I wonder if I'll mention this as well.

The needed a minor nudge rather than a real kick. When they saw it did not burn off then they did it without much convincing!

[JohnG1]

Sadlerj - Thanks for the update.

Clorenzen - please do let me know.