Headlamp Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamp assembly has an integrated solenoid activated shutter which changes the headlamp beam pattern when activated. The solenoid and shutter are not serviceable separately from the headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly is provided power on independent circuits for the low beams and the high beams.

The High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamp also contains Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that are signature lights when used as DRL and are illuminated at their highest intensity or parking lamps and are illuminated at a reduced intensity when the parking lamps or headlamps are activated.

Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure. Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur if the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a thin mist forms on the interior of the lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation. The amount of time it takes to clear the lens of acceptable mist varies with ambient humidity and lamp types. Normal condensation clears from any lamp in 48 hours under dry conditions.

Do not replace a lamp assembly with acceptable levels of condensation such as:

presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets are present)
fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens

Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp housing leak):

water puddling inside the lamp
large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of the lens