Headlight is Fogged. Advice Needed.

[CalebNieves]

Hey everyone.

I hope I've posted this in the correct forum section. If not, please forgive me. I couldn't find the troubleshooting/problems section.

Anyways, I own an 02 Ford Ranger, of which the headlight (driver side) has gotten foggy. It's certainly not as transparent as the passenger side light. At first I wasn't sure why one was foggy and the other wasn't, but then I took a closer look at the foggy light and noticed a small crack on the outside casing. I believe this crack has allowed moisture to enter the light. I've heard of people restoring their headlights with special DIY kits, but I've decided to take the route of simply replacing the light with an aftermarket light from an online store. I found two sites that I particularly liked, but I'm unsure of whether or not they are legitimate businesses. Furthermore, I don't want to fall prey to a scam. Has anyone purchased from either of these sites and can verify that they are a legitimate business? Thanks in advance.

http://autopartsdirecttoyou.amazonwebstore.com/HEADLAMPLEFT-200301-FRD-RANGER/M/B003TP310Y.htm
or
http://www.autolightcenter.com/ford/ranger/headlights.html#NDU4NDE

 

[ranger530]

i would us a clay bar.....it works GREAT and i used it multiple times http://autozone.com/autozone/homePage.jsp?cmpid=google&requestid=3009090

 

[straycat]

Lens Restore...it has been proven to work on almost the worst head light. I have had friends who have used it and it really works they say. Get it online or As Seen On TV. Some auto places carry it. Nobody I know who used the clay bar ever said it worked. They said it made the headlights look worse.

 

[Tedybear]

The restore kit is decent, but if the headlight is severe with pits and yellowing? Check ebay and see if any online suppliers have it.

Our BII had some severeeeeeeeeeeee yellowing and pits. We found sand in the door jams, and found it was in several H'Canes down in FL. Before it was moved up to NY The 'kit' got it about 1/2 way there. Finally found a seller on ebay that was selling the complete headlight sets for cheap. (still 'legal' for all the specs).

S-

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i wipe them down with DOT 3 brake fluid and then wipe the brake fluid off until its completely clean. comes out crystal clear.

wipe all the residue off or it will corrode the lens

 

[doyouquaxu]

i wipe them down with DOT 3 brake fluid and then wipe the brake fluid off until its completely clean. comes out crystal clear.

wipe all the residue off or it will corrode the lens

i have never heard of that. it makes sense though. i think i might have to give it a try, i got 'hired' to fix the lights on my dad's car.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i have never heard of that. it makes sense though. i think i might have to give it a try, i got 'hired' to fix the lights on my dad's car.

works amazing for oxidation. but if the lens is scratched then sanding, polishing, and resealing is the only fix

 

[adsm08]

Now hold on a second guys. It sounds to me like the OP's light isn't worn and crapped up, but more like it's cracked, and full of water moisture that is fogging it, in which case the only real fix is to replace the lens.

I'm not sure about that second place, but the first link is an Amazon.com store. That means they are probably pretty reliable, and if you have any issues with them you have recourse through Amazon. Also, Amazon switched to a different billing system recently where your seller doesn't get any money until the they provides shipping confirmation with a tracking number, so you have a much easier time getting your money back if you don't get what you ordered.

 

[straycat]

i wipe them down with DOT 3 brake fluid and then wipe the brake fluid off until its completely clean. comes out crystal clear.

wipe all the residue off or it will corrode the lens

That is a good idea for already decent looking headlights to keep them from fogging. This will not restore a head light after it is fogged up. I tried that years ago on one my wife's cars. Did not work. Car and Driver, Road and Track and Hot Rod magazines proved that already several years ago as well. However..... it was proven to be a good preventive!!

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Hey everyone.

I hope I've posted this in the correct forum section. If not, please forgive me. I couldn't find the troubleshooting/problems section.

Anyways, I own an 02 Ford Ranger, of which the headlight (driver side) has gotten foggy. It's certainly not as transparent as the passenger side light. At first I wasn't sure why one was foggy and the other wasn't, but then I took a closer look at the foggy light and noticed a small crack on the outside casing. I believe this crack has allowed moisture to enter the light. I've heard of people restoring their headlights with special DIY kits, but I've decided to take the route of simply replacing the light with an aftermarket light from an online store. I found two sites that I particularly liked, but I'm unsure of whether or not they are legitimate businesses. Furthermore, I don't want to fall prey to a scam. Has anyone purchased from either of these sites and can verify that they are a legitimate business? Thanks in advance.

http://autopartsdirecttoyou.amazonwebstore.com/HEADLAMPLEFT-200301-FRD-RANGER/M/B003TP310Y.htm
or
http://www.autolightcenter.com/ford/ranger/headlights.html#NDU4NDE

Replace the lens. No amount of clay bar/wax/specialized stuff is going to make that go away.

Obviously people only read the title and commented based on that.

And I agree with ADSM08..the amazon based store would be your best bet.

Good luck!

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

That is a good idea for already decent looking headlights to keep them from fogging. This will not restore a head light after it is fogged up. I tried that years ago on one my wife's cars. Did not work. Car and Driver, Road and Track and Hot Rod magazines proved that already several years ago as well. However..... it was proven to be a good preventive!!

it works with heavily oxidized lens's. mine were dark yellow when i got the truck. they are clear now.

i didn't read the entire post, it won't fix it if there is foggy shit inside the lens.

Replace the lens. No amount of clay bar/wax/specialized stuff is going to make that go away.

Obviously people only read the title and commented based on that.

And I agree with ADSM08..the amazon based store would be your best bet.

Good luck!

guess not. i tend to skip through shit when the paragraph drags on and on. i need spacing in between bits and pieces or i get lost and say **** it lol

 

[straycat]

it works with heavily oxidized lens's. mine were dark yellow when i got the truck. they are clear now.

i didn't read the entire post, it won't fix it if there is foggy shit inside the lens.



guess not. i tend to skip through shit when the paragraph drags on and on. i need spacing in between bits and pieces or i get lost and say **** it lol

Hmmmm....Never worked for me or anybody I know. The Lens Restore worked in just a few minutes. They still look new on the wife's oldest car. That was over three years ago...day light running headlights are great for safety but suck 'cause they do fog up quicker.

 

[straycat]

Hey everyone.

I hope I've posted this in the correct forum section. If not, please forgive me. I couldn't find the troubleshooting/problems section.

Anyways, I own an 02 Ford Ranger, of which the headlight (driver side) has gotten foggy. It's certainly not as transparent as the passenger side light. At first I wasn't sure why one was foggy and the other wasn't, but then I took a closer look at the foggy light and noticed a small crack on the outside casing. I believe this crack has allowed moisture to enter the light. I've heard of people restoring their headlights with special DIY kits, but I've decided to take the route of simply replacing the light with an aftermarket light from an online store. I found two sites that I particularly liked, but I'm unsure of whether or not they are legitimate businesses. Furthermore, I don't want to fall prey to a scam. Has anyone purchased from either of these sites and can verify that they are a legitimate business? Thanks in advance.

http://autopartsdirecttoyou.amazonwebstore.com/HEADLAMPLEFT-200301-FRD-RANGER/M/B003TP310Y.htm
or
http://www.autolightcenter.com/ford/ranger/headlights.html#NDU4NDE

Bro...just get new headlights. You will find them on Ebay at Autosdepo. I bought this rear valance (see below photo) with the driving lights brand new for $159 shipped to me. I still have not mounted it yet...still thinking about putting on my bumper I had made...decission...decisons....lol If your truck is not a real nice looker...go to the crap scrap yard and get a better set..that will fog up on you sooner or later...more sooner....lol

 

[Sweersa]

I purchased a set of new headlights (even included the amber corners) on eBay for $65 shipped for my 1997 because they were yellowing, one more than the other. They are not Ford OEM but they look just like them and have held up for about a year through the winter too just fine.

 

[straycat]

I purchased a set of new headlights (even included the amber corners) on eBay for $65 shipped for my 1997 because they were yellowing, one more than the other. They are not Ford OEM but they look just like them and have held up for about a year through the winter too just fine.

Real good find, Bro. I have seen them on Ebay as well. My 99 Ranger lights (all of them) still look brand new. I bought the truck brand new Jul 99. I guess I got lucky with that year of Ranger. I have never had to replace any bulbs either, except the third light..I just add a digital one and sold my OEM third light on Ebay for $40!!! The guy that was high bidder had to pay shipping as well!!!