SlashBecks

Were the headlights ever modified for the 92-96 ES? I'm looking for a headlight cause mine's got a crack that keeps letting moisture in, and I've found two on ebay, but the people who listed 'em don't know which year ES they came out of. If the headlights remained the same for that period, then i can get these without any worries...i did a search in the forums and wasn't able to find this answer, so if anyone knows anything about this please let me know.

thanks

lexusk8

Yep, for the '92-'94, the headlights have the clear, mirror-like appearance. On the '95-'96, the headlamps have 3 horizontal lines run across, and are slightly smoked/tinted in the assembly.

A good way to compare the headlamps from different ES is to browse through the ES sold on Ebay. The pictures there really tell a lot most of the time.

SlashBecks

thanks for the info, the light i'm looking at on ebay seems to have the smoked bulbs, but maybe it's the picture but i can't see the horizontal lines...here take a look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2418219398

lexusk8

The headlamp appears to be a '92-'94, and I believe you're driving a '96 ES, so that headlamp won't aesthetically match with your other headlamp. I would keep on looking, or you can take a look at the ES classifieds in this forum. There's usually a headlamp assy for sale every once in a while.

meZoom!

i had a 95. after my accident the body shop put in 92-94's. i wasn't happy at all w/ that....especially cuz i wasn't told they'd do this. they must've thought "whats the big deal?"

SlashBecks

thanks lexus, guess i'll keep looking around...as a side note to this thread, i was reading that one of the ways to get rid of the moisture permanently is to drill a hole in the bottom of the light and let everything come out. well since i already have a crack on the side of my headlight, would it be such a bad idea to remove the headlight and tilt it to the side of the crack, so that everything comes out of there? that's pretty much where the moisture got in, as I was washing the car with a spray nozzle and completely forgot about this crack...

lexusk8

Since the lens of your headlamp is already cracked, I wouldn't waste time trying to fix the problem, and instead find a replacement. The problem is just going to get worse after a rainstorm or humid weather. You're right about the drilling method. I did it on one of my headlamps in my old '96 ES, as well as using compressed air to air out the moisture and drilled out pieces, and after a few days, that pretty much eliminated any unnecessary moisture.

SlashBecks

true that, but see here's the deal...the crack is not really a gaping hole or anything, it's just a straight 2 inch crack that has been filled with some kind of glue by the guy who had this car before me. before washing the car by hand, i had this car for two months, taken it through rain, car washes, and nothing happened. But apparently when I pointed a relatively high-powered hose right at the headlight, that's when the moisture got in. so, technically, if i get the moisture that's in there out, unless i use the hose again, moisture shouldn't be able to get in...see what i mean? or do u think that once that moisture is able to get in it doesn't matter anymore, even rain or automated car washes will now do the same?

lexusk8

How long has the moisture stayed in the headlamp assy? If it's been at least a week, then I would do something about it (i.e. drilling holes to the underside of the headlamp, if you want to save yourself $$$ from a new headlamp). I've heard of others taking apart the headlamp, cleaning the lens inside, and resealing the headlamp assy, but that's a bit more effort and risk.

SlashBecks

moisture's been there for just under a week...i've got a drill, but any pointers on where to drill and how to do this properly would be appreciated since i just bought a new taillight, i'm not just yet feeling the need to throw some more serious cash down for a headlight as well...

lexusk8

You can drill 2 small holes from the underside of the headlamp to the "mirrored" surface inside. Drill as close to the outside curvature of the headlamp, but not touching the edge. Take your time with it, the plastic casing is VERY tough. I don't remember the exact bit size I used, but it should be the proper size to fit an air hose so that you can vacuum out the drilled pieces and any moisture. Don't be surprised if you still have some moisture left inside the headlamp. After a few days, it should go away. Good luck man.

SlashBecks

thanks!!!

EGainer

amrit's 96 on top, my 94 on the bottom

SlashBecks

whoa, egainer your 94 looks like it has the newer ES lights on it...did u modify or swap in newer lights or is it just the way the picture was taken? whatever you did please tell me in detail i really like the look of your lights!