I have a 2005 ML 350 with moisture and water drops inside the headlight lens. Is there a simple way to remove the lens to clean the insides? Also, is there a way to prevent moisture and water from getting inside? I have seen many ML's in the street with this condition.
rsl007

I am not familiar with your car, so I cannot help you with removal of the lens, however, I can reccommend and suggest the following if this seems weird or ridiculous.... then don't do it!


Once you get it off...
1. Clean the insides of lenses and reflectors of housing, DO NOT TOUCH THE BULBS! (The lifespan can be shortened a lot!)
2. Use Rain-X and apply a coat on the inside on the glass lens. Helps to prevent possible problems....
3. When reattaching lense, use silicone sealant (hardware store, outddoor window treatment stuff..) and cover all seams between the glass and assembly.....

__________________
2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

seals at the bulbs may be defective.....the housing to lense seal may be compromised.....or the lense itself may have a microcrack admitting water....(yes you can have a crack thats not ovious)

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Does anyone know how to take off/replace the lens cover over the headlights on an 05 ML?

Let the dealer figure it out ,It must be under warranty. If you break it you pay for it.

I think you are right. I called my dealer and he said the lenses are sealed units and the cover can't come off. He thinks it should be replacable under warrenty but not sure. He will get back to me.

For anyone interested.....Mercedes does not think moisture under the headlight lense is a warrenty item. They say it can occur normally and the vents should get rid of the moisture naturally. I think drops of water inside the lens is not right, vent or not!

The ML headlamps from 2002+ are fairly common for this complaint.

MB issued a DTB on 12/30/04 for it.

SUBJECT: Model 163
Moisture in Headlamp(s)
Note: For Information Only!
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles moisture or water inside the headlamp(s), please offer the following explanations.
Surfaces fog up whenever they are cold and come in contact with warmer, humid air. An example of this is the mirror in the bathroom. It often fogs up after showering because it comes in contact with the warm humid air from the shower enclosure. The same thing occurs to the headlamps. Moisture or water on or around the engine evaporates and this vapor condenses on the coldest surface in the surrounding area. This is frequently the headlamps since they are frequently in contact with cold air or cold rain.
The headlamps have ventilation holes on the back. Without these holes, pressure would be produced when the headlamps are switched on damaging the headlamps.
A malfunctioning headlamp can be identified as follows. As a prerequisite, the headlamp(s) must be fogged up when the vehicle is brought into the workshop.
1. Is there a puddle of water inside the headlamp? If yes, the headlamp is malfunctioning and should be replaced.
2. Does the headlamp show signs of external damage? If yes, the headlamp is malfunctioning and must be replaced. This is not covered by warranty.
3. If there is only an appearance of moisture on the inside surfaces of the headlamp and there is no external damage, the headlamp is then okay.
Note:
If the owner complains of fogging but the fogging is not present when the car is brought in, then this is normal and not an indication of any malfunction.

Clearing fogged headlamps and/or fog lamps.
1. Drive the car into the workshop and connect the exhaust extractor. In dry weather, this can also be performed outside.
2. Start the engine and switch on the low beam + high beam, front fog lamps and hazard warning lamps.
3. Leave the vehicle in this state for 20 minutes.
4. Switch off all lights and the engine.
5. If the headlamps and/or fog lamps are completely clear, the observed fogging or water is normal. If not, the headlamp or fog lamp is not functioning correctly and should be replaced.

There you go. Straight from the horses mouth.
Dr.D

And I wrote such a nasty letter to MBNA last night.
Thank you Dr.D for the info.
I have drops of water on the inside of the lens, that, when tapped, run down to the bottom of the lens. I also have fogging.
One lens is crystal clear, the other not. Both in same environment. Seems to me the seals on the bad one are letting moisture in. I know what light fogging is, but these are a lot of water drops. Took it to my dealer with the water drops and fog and fhey said it is normal. Personally it is a BS answer esp. affecting only one light. They will not cover replacement under warrenty. My letter to MBNA was quite terse as I don't accept, in my case, this to be a normal occurance.

If you have water drops inside of one side and not the other, it should be
replaced. I have replaced several for this exact reason. Bad bonding of the
lens to the housing. Call your dealer's service manager and be persistant.
Fog is normal, water drops are not.
Good luck.
Dr.D

I wrote to MBNA as I said, a terse letter last week.
Guess it upset someone......
Got a call from my dealer today, they will replace the whole lamp unit under warrenty.
rsl007