2004 Toyota Sienna OEM Headlight Leaking

[JMSinMD]

Recently replaced both headlights in my 2004 Toyota Sienna with OEM. First set of headlights, the driver side has a piece of plastic loose in the housing and other manufacturing defects, so I get a replacement one sent. I've been through 4 OEM driver side headlights (directly from Toyota dealers) and they all have leaked, while the passenger side has stayed completely dry.

Is there any way to find out who the OEM manufacturer of these lights are? The dealership has looked over my car (over the course of a week) to see if there is anything that could be wrong with the car that would allow water to enter the headlights but it looks like whomever manufactured the lights had a bad production run and has all these defective units distributed around the country. I'd like to contact them directly as it's getting extremely frustrating at this point.

Thanks.

 

[Qship1996]

should be marked right on the unit itself,look closely.

 

[rishabharies]

Most Lexus headlamps have the manufacturers name stamped/carved into the clear lens housing. I have seen a lot of Lexus headlamps with KOITO stamped on them, i don't remember seeing any other brand. I doubt Toyota would be any different.

 

[JMSinMD]

I'll take a look, I'm thinking maybe to reseal them myself using clear silicone, seems to be quite common in the 2004-2006 headlight design (for them to leak).

 

[Alaric Darconville]

Most Lexus headlamps have the manufacturers name stamped/carved into the clear lens housing. I have seen a lot of Lexus headlamps with KOITO stamped on them, i don't remember seeing any other brand. I doubt Toyota would be any different.

Of course, this is because Lexus *IS* Toyota. You may also see NAL (North American Lighting) which is a Koito Group Company on US-made Toyotas.

I'm beginning to see more Stanley headlamps on Toyota models, such as on a '16 or '17 Avalon Hybrid (or was it the Corolla LE?).

 

[Alaric Darconville]

I'm thinking maybe to reseal them myself using clear silicone

Don't use silicone, use windshield urethane. Silicone will ruin the headlamps.

 

[JMSinMD]

Don't use silicone, use windshield urethane. Silicone will ruin the headlamps.

Just to clarify I wasn't talking about pulling them apart completely and resealing, just running a bead around where the two halves meet. How does silicone ruin the headlights?


Something along the lines of this http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Silicone-II-2-8-oz-Clear-Kitchen-and-Bath-Caulk-GE284-3TG/100004845

 

[-Virgil-]

Just to clarify I wasn't talking about pulling them apart completely and resealing, just running a bead around where the two halves meet. How does silicone ruin the headlights?

As it cures, it outgases. The outgases are acidic (which is why curing silicone smells of vinegar) and attacks the headlamp reflector. If water can get in, so can the gas. It's worth going out of your way to take the headlamps to a windshield shop and have them run a bead of windshield urethane where you were going to apply silicone.

 

[64.5vette]

As it cures, it outgases. The outgases are acidic (which is why curing silicone smells of vinegar) and attacks the headlamp reflector. If water can get in, so can the gas. It's worth going out of your way to take the headlamps to a windshield shop and have them run a bead of windshield urethane where you were going to apply silicone.

Is that the same stuff as windshield buytl?

 

[-Virgil-]

Is that the same stuff as windshield buytl?

No. Butyl is butyl. Urethane is urethane. They aren't the same, physically or chemically.