Head light staying on

B

Blackhawk

New member
I've had condensation issues in the left headlight on my 2011 for a year now and just recently I noticed that just left the low beam will turn on all by itself randomly throughout the day.  Has anyone seen this before?  I had to pull the fuse so my battery wouldn't die.

I am guessing that moisture is tripping a relay but I didn't really expect the relay to actually be in the headlight.  Is there a relay in the stock HID ballasts?
 
Sounds like moisture intrustion into the ballast is creating a short.  Where is the condenation coming from?  Cracked lens, or leaky dust boot/cover?
 
I'm not sure, I dont see any cracks in the lens and the round rubber cover on the back seems to be sealed well.  Hopefully my extended warranty covers it, I need to put it back to stock before I bring it in.

SHOdded said:
Sounds like moisture intrustion into the ballast is creating a short.  Where is the condenation coming from?  Cracked lens, or leaky dust boot/cover?
Click to expand...
 
There is a fuse compartment on the drivers side engine bay..#57 which is a 20 amp for the Left  HID,check for any water or corrosion in the contacts,you can also try to swap it for another 20 amp.  Z
 
-MANU thanks for the link and figured to check mine also,personally have the Platinum and here are the exclusions.  Z    PLATINUM EXCLUSIONS:
Brake linings, brake drums and rotors, disc brake pads, standard manual transmission clutch friction disc, pressure plate, pilot bearings, throw-out bearing and arm, air bags, solar powered devices, hinges, glass, lenses, sealed beams, body parts and/or panels, weather stripping, trim, moldings, door handles, lock cylinders, tires, wheels, all batteries except Hybrid/EV/Hydrogen High Voltage batteries as listed under Silver Coverage, light bulbs, upholstery, paint, bright metal, freeze plugs, filters, heater and radiator hoses, exhaust system, catalytic converter, shock absorbers, constant velocity joint boots, steering and suspension joint boots, work such as front-end alignment or wheel balancing (except when required in conjunction with a mechanical breakdown), safety restraint systems, audio/security or other system not factory installed, cellular phones, radar detectors, appliances, or vinyl and convertible tops.
 
I pulled a fuse to turn it off but I think it was like #16 or something.  Does 57 look like a relay?

ZSHO said:
There is a fuse compartment on the drivers side engine bay..#57 which is a 20 amp for the Left  HID,check for any water or corrosion in the contacts,you can also try to swap it for another 20 amp.  Z
Click to expand...
 
Wow, well that sucks.  I'll have to look at my premiumcare contract.  If they do replace the ballast I wonder if it is all one headlight assembly.  Looking at the price of a new one has me cringing, 700 bucks.

SHOdded said:
Pretty sure the warranty won't cover the headlight assembly, but the PremiumCare covers relays and ballasts, from what I just saw.  Best to check on here
http://fordprotect.ford.com/extended-service-plan
Click to expand...
 
Now that I have read up a little more, the condensation in the headlight assembly very well could have nothing to do with it staying on.  I'll check the relay under the hood later.
 
Blackhawk said:
I pulled a fuse to turn it off but I think it was like #16 or something.  Does 57 look like a relay?

ZSHO said:
There is a fuse compartment on the drivers side engine bay..#57 which is a 20 amp for the Left  HID,check for any water or corrosion in the contacts,you can also try to swap it for another 20 amp.  Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
It looks like its a regular yellow fuse.  Here are a couple of links for ya.  Z      http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Ford-Taurus-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide/index.html        http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Ford-Taurus-Electrical-Fuse-Replacement-Guide/
 
Thanks, I am well aware of how to change fuses :)  I think you are giving me the location for 2013+ and my car is a 2011.

There only appears to be relays for the halogen lights, the HID lights must just use the ballast.


ZSHO said:
Blackhawk said:
I pulled a fuse to turn it off but I think it was like #16 or something.  Does 57 look like a relay?

ZSHO said:
There is a fuse compartment on the drivers side engine bay..#57 which is a 20 amp for the Left  HID,check for any water or corrosion in the contacts,you can also try to swap it for another 20 amp.  Z
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
It looks like its a regular yellow fuse.  Here are a couple of links for ya.  Z      http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Ford-Taurus-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide/index.html        http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Ford-Taurus-Electrical-Fuse-Replacement-Guide/
Click to expand...
 
16 L and 25 R in the engine compartment fuse box are what you need for the HID lighting.  20A fuses each.
 
It could be a faulty headlight switch...did you try playing with the switch??could also be a relay under the drivers dash!!
 
It could be a headlight switch, I'll check the power across both underhood fuses to see if the problem is upstream.  It's weird that it is just one light.  In any case I need to change out the bumper brackets which should get here later this week.  Then I can sort out where the condensation in the assembly is coming from.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, hopefully I can get this sorted out soon.
 
I finally got around to pulling the bumper, it looks like the problem is definitely the ballast as I pulled the one from the other headlight and that fixed it.  I bought a used ballast on ebay for 60 bucks so hopefully that does the trick.

I really couldn't see where water is getting into the headlight, it didn't leak out at any of the seams so I am at a loss.  I may have to try and reseal it as a new headlight is 450 bucks!
 
There was water in one of the ballast connectors so I'm sure that didn't help :)

I can post a picture of the headlamp now but I already tried to dry it out.  There was probably a half a cup of water total in the damn thing.  I tried to bake it in the over to dry it out but that just resulted in leaving water spots on the inside of the lense.



SHOdded said:
Here's one possible reason why, the ballast connector (forgive the link website, LOL):
http://priuschat.com/threads/headlight-water-condensation-leads-to-hid-ballast-failure.120748/

How bad is the condensation issue, btw?  Can you post pics?  On the newer Edge with LED taillight assemblies, a "misting" type condensation is considered normal, while droplets are not.  There, replacement parts have been issued that seemingly fix the issue.
Click to expand...
 
Im not quite sure if you considered installing a headlight cover....maybe it will help with any such water intrusion,sometimes a pin sized hole can certainly exasperate conditions.  Z      http://www.clearmask.com/vehicle_page.php?prod_type=BULK%20FILMS&year=all    also Headlight connectors can be found here.  Z    http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2011,taurus,3.5l+v6+turbocharged,1446498,electrical-bulb+&+socket,headlamp+socket,4056          http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=508218&cc=1446498&jsn=427&jsn=427
 
I hadn't thought about a headlight cover but now you have me thinking.  If it is coming in at the lens seal then maybe I can coat the seal and back housing in that flexseal stuff I see on TV :)
ZSHO said:
Im not quite sure if you considered installing a headlight cover....maybe it will help with any such water intrusion,sometimes a pin sized hole can certainly exasperate conditions.  Z      http://www.clearmask.com/vehicle_page.php?prod_type=BULK%20FILMS&year=all    also Headlight connectors can be found here.  Z    http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2011,taurus,3.5l+v6+turbocharged,1446498,electrical-bulb+&+socket,headlamp+socket,4056          http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=508218&cc=1446498&jsn=427&jsn=427
Click to expand...
 
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