TSB for moisture in headlights on C6 A6s
02-10-2009, 08:53 PM
#1
TSB for moisture in headlights on C6 A6s
94 Exterior lights, moisture accumulation Release date: Nov 18, 2008
Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Date
Purpose
7
-
Revised Title to include Repair Group
Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, or third brake light lens.
Technical Background
Damp air settles on the inside of a cold lens, which creates condensation.
The headlight circulation system allows air from the outside to flow through the headlights. This open water-protected ventilation system (needed for pressure compensation) creates different climate zones in the headlight: very warm areas, where the lens is warmed up by the light, and relatively cool areas, where the lens is cooled down by the air flow.
Considerable differences in humidity and temperature between the inside and the outside of the headlights, even while driving, can lead to condensation. This is especially true in cold and wet weather, but it can also happen after a car wash, after steam cleaning the engine or the front end, with overnight temperature changes, etc. This phenomenon is more visible on lenses made of clear glass than on lenses with patterns. The moisture doesn't affect the headlight function (light performance) and doesn't lead to corrosion or other damage to headlight parts.
Production Solution
Not affected.
Service
For headlights, the affected lens surface should be clear after approximately 10 minutes of light operation, although the entire lens surface may not clear. The clearing process depends on the outside temperature and the humidity.
In cases where water droplets have formed on the inside of the lens or water has collected at the bottom of the light assembly, check for leaking seals and/or cracks in the lens or light assembly. If no damage is found, use compressed air (less than 30 PSI) to clear the lens.
On light assemblies with LED lights, e.g. S6 daytime running lights, the LED lights do not emit enough heat to clear the moisture from the lens. Only the pressure difference of the ventilation system provides the air flow to clear the moisture on the inside of the lens. The design of the ventilation system on these types of lights will ensure the lens is clear after a few miles have been driven.
Do not replace light or lens assemblies for these conditions.
Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.
Additional Information
All part and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Dept. and service manuals for the latest information.
©2008 Audi of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Date
Purpose
7
-
Revised Title to include Repair Group
Condensation is visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light, front turn signal, daytime running lights, or third brake light lens.
Technical Background
Damp air settles on the inside of a cold lens, which creates condensation.
The headlight circulation system allows air from the outside to flow through the headlights. This open water-protected ventilation system (needed for pressure compensation) creates different climate zones in the headlight: very warm areas, where the lens is warmed up by the light, and relatively cool areas, where the lens is cooled down by the air flow.
Considerable differences in humidity and temperature between the inside and the outside of the headlights, even while driving, can lead to condensation. This is especially true in cold and wet weather, but it can also happen after a car wash, after steam cleaning the engine or the front end, with overnight temperature changes, etc. This phenomenon is more visible on lenses made of clear glass than on lenses with patterns. The moisture doesn't affect the headlight function (light performance) and doesn't lead to corrosion or other damage to headlight parts.
Production Solution
Not affected.
Service
For headlights, the affected lens surface should be clear after approximately 10 minutes of light operation, although the entire lens surface may not clear. The clearing process depends on the outside temperature and the humidity.
In cases where water droplets have formed on the inside of the lens or water has collected at the bottom of the light assembly, check for leaking seals and/or cracks in the lens or light assembly. If no damage is found, use compressed air (less than 30 PSI) to clear the lens.
On light assemblies with LED lights, e.g. S6 daytime running lights, the LED lights do not emit enough heat to clear the moisture from the lens. Only the pressure difference of the ventilation system provides the air flow to clear the moisture on the inside of the lens. The design of the ventilation system on these types of lights will ensure the lens is clear after a few miles have been driven.
Do not replace light or lens assemblies for these conditions.
Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.
Additional Information
All part and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Dept. and service manuals for the latest information.
©2008 Audi of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
02-11-2009, 09:11 AM
#4
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: What does TBS means? if it happens to our cars, will it be free to fix?
BostonS6, do you work for Audi? Do you notice what is the most common problem on the A6 and their airbag light (also with passenger airbag off light)? My dealer said to expect over 1k fix.
02-22-2009, 07:29 PM
#5
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
blah... why is this primarily an audi problem? i have yet to see this in a merc...
my 00 c5 had this same problem
my 06 c6 has this problem
my bros 07 b7 has the problem
my friends 05 b6 has the problem
no fix in sight... check seals...blah "Do not replace light or lens assemblies for these conditions."
have yet to see this on any other high-end brand (at least those i'm familiar with)
04 E200 nope
06 E350 nope
05 RR HSE nope
07 RR HSE SC nope
my 06 c6 has this problem
my bros 07 b7 has the problem
my friends 05 b6 has the problem
no fix in sight... check seals...blah "Do not replace light or lens assemblies for these conditions."
have yet to see this on any other high-end brand (at least those i'm familiar with)
04 E200 nope
06 E350 nope
05 RR HSE nope
07 RR HSE SC nope
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Brady Miklos
Want To Buy - Archive (NO NEW POSTS HERE)
0
07-14-2015 02:14 PM
Brady Miklos
A6 / S6 (C6 Platform) Discussion
0
07-14-2015 11:38 AM
s4indaworks
A6 / S6 (C5 Platform) Discussion
3
05-18-2003 04:08 PM
Steve Bollinger
A6 / S6 (C5 Platform) Discussion
0
02-18-2000 01:10 PM
