So, had the driver side dim go out. After reading on here, I followed the recommended path:

1. Check the fuse
2. Check the ballast (by swapping sides)
3. Replace the bulb
4. Check the wiring

Fuse was good. Swapping the ballasts showed it WAS the ballast, so I replaced it, and all is good again.

But a bit of weirdness, the ballast sits flat in the bottom of the headlight assembly. As I took the bad one loose, it poured water on me. That might explain it dying! A few ounces. How the heck did it get in there? The ballast itself had lots of water staining on it.

I pulled the rubber cover inside the wheel well so I could see into the back of the assembly. That cover does NOT seal, it just mostly covers the hole in the back of the assembly. When I got the rubber cover off, I saw that both of the big rubber boots that cover the dim and bright bulbs were off! How did THAT happen??

I would guess the water got in because those boots were off, and water being thrown up from driving in the rain made its way in that way. You could see lots of water staining around and into the openings to the lights. But why were those boots both off? I put the boots back, and they fit quite snugly. So I don't get how they came off.

I DO do some high speed driving on occasion, like over 190. Maybe somehow the pressure on the nose was going through the front of the headlights, and pressurized the assembly, blowing the boots off at the back?

Anyone else have this experience? Any thoughts?

 

Had it happen to me as well. I was in a self serve carwash and after I got done, I noticed one of the headlights fog up from inside the assembly.
Sure enough, one of the boots had shifted and wasn't on tightly. I checked all of them, and only that one was off. We were on a road trip at the time, so we had driven in lot's of rain the past few days.
I put some silicone black adhesive inside the cover grooves, and put the covers back on, and let them sit overnight at the hotel.
I checked them periodically, and they have stayed in place ever since.

 

Sigh. I suppose I'll need to open them up to try to dry the chamber out. The one side was fogged up this morning in the rare cold air. It doesn't hit freezing in Houston!!

 

Remove the rubber boots, and use a hair dryer to blow warm air inside the assembly. It will dry out any moisture remaining in the assembly. Once dried out, replace the boots, and use silicone sealant either in the groove, which is easier, or around the outside to keep them on tighter.

Good luck

 

I read or saw this mentioned in either the Owner's manual or DVD for the Corvette. It said moisture inside the lense can happen and is normal in humid or wet conditions. It said it would dissipate on it's own.

 

Yes, but that is if it's caused by temp inversions, not actual water in the assembly. That will not dry for a long time, unless it is escallated by heat (hair dryer)