DTRL Lens Melting

Check this out, on both of my headlights the DTRL lens has a bunch of small bubbles as if it is melting. Anyone else have this issue. Also I want to take this to the dealer but I wonder if they will turn me down as I have HIDS. However the HIDs should have no impact on the DTRL lens.

 

did you mod this or do you have a newer tacoma with the DTRL?

 

09-Probably had DTRL stock?? What is the power on your HIDs??

 

I'd turn your headlamps on and hit it with an IR thermometer if you happen to have one. I really don't think the dealer will do anything for you but sell you a new set of lamps, wether or not the HIDs would be the cause, just because that would be easiest solution for them.

 

If you haven't modded the truck or gone up-wattage on the DRL bulbs I'd take that back to the dealer. They may install new headlights for you It may help to explain that clear lenses are required to pass safety inspection if they say that the bubbles are cosmetic only (I doubt you'd ever fail for this, but its a point worth making to bolster your case).

 

Only two issues with this-
1) I'm sure the dealership has someone on staff who does inspections...so if it's not true they'll call you on it.
2) Florida doesn't require any inspections after you register the vehicle.

 

Good points! I didn't know FL got a break on safety inspections. I hope they do away with that bullcrap in VA.

Reading the linked threads it sounds like the DRLs, headlight bulbs, and turn signal brightness is tweaked slightly at the factory when DRLs are added. I wonder if adding HIDs could have changed the output of the DRLs, causing the melting?

 

That's what I was curious about as well- and if the DTRLs are at the edge of what will melt the lens- and then you add the HIDs or put in higher wattage bulbs...Might be enuf to heat up those housings to melt it down.

 

Stock bulbs do not do this- it must be the bulb you put in there. Was the bulb larger in size? ( Not wattage )

 

I would put it back to stock and bring it the dealer. I have HIDs in mine and one of the lenses kept fogging up. I took out the HIDs and brought it to the stealer, they replace the headlight unit under warranty

 

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. I went in the garage to install my weathertechs and came back to find my thread blew up .

Factory DTRL

55w

Factory bulb is in place

 

GA doesn't do safety inspections either.

How did you wire your HIDS? which wires did you tap into?

 

I did not tap into any wires. The driver side headlight plug controls the HIDs. Power for the ballasts comes direct from the battery on a fused circuit. Then the ground is located on the driver side fender.

 

oh ok well I doubt the HID's had anything to do with it then.

 

I think I am gunna drive down to the dealer and see what they say, I can't get them in the tele. I'll let you all know what happens.

 

Isn't 55W high? I thought 35w was recommended.

 

UPDATE

I took the truck down to the dealer. Service rep has not seen this on the Tacoma's but did mention he had seen this on Avalon's. Both service managers and a tech looked at the lights. They also found the sockets appear to be burnt. They informed me they are contacting Toyota corporate and will advise me of what the can do. Also they mentioned my HIDs and would investigate the possibility of them causing the issue.

I highly doubt the HIDs are to blame. If they pull that card I will be ready for it. Another note I will bring up to them if they blame the HIDs is why the dealer sells and installs HID kits if it melts the DTRL housing.

 

The plugs on my 2005 Canadian Tacoma that has DTRL from the factory also has the plugs discolored from the heat. The lens themselves however are still OK.

 

Well bad news! Dealer told me they will not replace my headlights as per their rep I have modified them. I pulled temp readings proving the Halogen is actually hotter then HIDS but they don't care. I also showed them that the DTRL bulb is running at over 400*F and mere centimeters from the lens. Somehow they seem to believe the HIDs are causing this. However they told me even if that is not the case they will not honor the warranty as I altered the head lights. Total BS if you ask me, I could see if my issue was with the headlights but its the DTRLs that are the problem.

The biggest bunch of bull is when I asked them how the HID lights could have any impact on the DTRLs when they are NEVER on at the same time, they could not provide an answer. Yet still not willing to do anything further as they have never seen this and can only attribute it to my modification.

 

DTRL Bulb


DTRL Lens


HID installed


Halogen Installed


Halogen Bulb


HID Bulb