Moisture/Condensation in Headlamps 05 XJ8
 

I have searched the threads and this issue seems to occur in XK's, but I have seen nothing in the XJ areas. I have moisture in both right side headlamps. Reading the XK threads indicated that drilling a little hole would help, but my mechanic says that it cannot be done. I assume it's a difference in the headlamps. The headlamps never dry out so sealing them as they are wouldn't solve the problem. Is there a relatively easy solution? Replacing these headlamps is very costly

Thanks

This is quite a rare fault on these cars, in fact I don't recall any posts on it in the X350 forum. There may be a Jaguar TSB about the problem, but it might be worth taking a bulb out and blowing some compressed air in to dry it out. The seal between back moulding and the glass may have gone, OR the seal at the back where the bulbs go in is loose or not fully home.

@ fairlaine500 i actually had this problem with my passenger side headlamp. once moisture got inside it would never dry out. i took the whole head light assembly out soaked up the moisture with some lint free cloths, kept it inside for the night. the next day i put it back on the car. i assumed the white gasket thats on the back panel of the assembly was my problem. all i did was take that white gasket out and flipped the inside of the gasket out put it back in the slot and snapped it back in place and it worked. i haven't had any moisture since that was almost 5 months ago.

Not very helpful but there is indeed a TSB:

This bulletin is for information only, to inform Authorized Repairers of the standards relating to acceptable/unacceptable levels of condensation that may occur in the headlamps.

Cause: The misting is generally caused by natural condensation and can be expected under certain atmospheric conditions. Certain levels of condensation are deemed acceptable by Jaguar.

NOTE: Incorrect replacement of bulb-covers following bulb replacement can lead to condensation forming. Ensure bulb-covers are correctly installed. If this is determined to be the cause of the condensation, measures should be taken to dry out the lamps and to ensure that the bulb-covers are installed correctly. Condensation levels should be monitored to allow natural dissipation of the condensation.