Since my Vantage was delivered just before Christmas I have been enjoying the vehicle and have put more than 1000 sunny miles on the odometer. Absolutely zero problems including the dreaded headlight condensation issue — until last week. It was particularly cold in Coastal Georgia last week and when I backed out of the heated garage and into the 35* F weather outside I noticed a very slight fogging in the most forward section of the headlights. This light fogging was only about an inch in diameter but prompted me to install the headlight ventilation kit I had purchased from Ian at AMUPGRADES. The Vantage was washed the day before so that may have precipitated the issue.

Having read that some customers had installed the kit with the wheels on I attempted to go this route. It quickly became apparent that this method was not going to work as there was just not enough room to maneuver. With the wheels removed the installation was quite easy and literally took less than an hour total.

The headlight ventilation kit was very easy to install with superb installation instructions and pictures. Each component of the kit was individually packaged and labeled for easy identification. Once installed I started the Vantage until the engine was at normal operating temperature and then shut it off. I then listened to the headlights and I could hear the small fans whirring away as they removed any residual moisture. Although I did not time it I believe the fans ran for about an hour after the engine was shut off. I now have piece of mind that the headlights that cost $5400.00 each will be kept nice and dry.

Below are a few pictures. The Vantage ready for the ‘operation’, the new AMUPGRADES headlight cover with built in fan and condensation exhaust hose, and the wheel well cover ready to be reinstalled with new foam gasket.

If you have not done this I highly recommend that you do. It will keep your expensive headlights clear and benefit you if and when you decide to sell.

 

Did you get that kit shipped to the US? I tried to pick up a replacement interior LED kit from his eBay store, but shipping to the US wasn't possible.

 

Do you have a link to this kit?

 

SLVRon: The Kit was shipped from the UK to Georgia in December.

Bavarianstance: contact Ian at AMUPGRADES@gmail.com

Once you contact Ian he will send you a brochure in pdf format. Ian was great to deal with and answered all of my questions in a timely manner. Unfortunately Ian does not have a website but the brochure was thorough and gave me confidence to order.

 

This is a great post Rob! Glad to see that it worked. I was thinking about ordering this after you had mentioned it. I'm assuming that the fans run while the car is driving and stays on for an hour after the car is shut off?

Ive been doing the high beam method LOL! The LEDs are not hot enough for the moisture so the high beams took care of that.

 

Ahoy Andrew -

You are 100% correct. The Headlight Ventilation system is activated when it senses that the radiator hose is above 50* C (122* F) and will continue to run while you are driving. Once you shut the car off, the system will continue to run until the radiator hose temperature is below 50* C. Today with 75* F here in Coastal Georgia the fans ran for about an hour after I returned home. The two fans use a minuscule amount of power (.09 amps) and will not drain the battery.

If one lives in a colder or more moist environment you can also order a separate and easy to connect module that will allow you to specify how long the ventilation system will run.

 

Hello MAUMAU,

Sounds like a great kit and a good way to avoid the problem, before it starts. I have a 2016 V8 Vantage that I have owned for a few months, so far no issues with condensation in the headlights.

When installing the kit, is it all plug and play or are there any wires to be cut / spliced or holes to drill?

Thank you.

 

245TR6 -

It is all plug and play and very easy to install. No drilling, cutting or splicing. If you do decide to purchase the kit, I would highly recommend also ordering the optional controller which will allow one to set how long the fans run and when. As an example, if I just pull the Vantage out of the garage to wash and then put it back in the garage, the water temp will not be high enough to activate the fans to remove any moisture from the lights. With the optional controller I just turn the dial and turn the fans on for 30 minutes or so.

Here is a fine video by our own V8Vdrew which will give you more information.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...t-install.html

 

yes, aston's are in many ways sentient beings and one must employ strategy to stay one step ahead.

 

MAUMAU,

Thank you for the information and recommendation for the optional controller. I'll take a look at video by V8Vdrew, that is a great suggestion.

 

I watched the video by V8Vdrew and it is very well done. What a great resource and reference, thanks for the tip.

 

HI all, I have a DB9, terrible condensation in the headlights, I use the car most of the year, all weather conditions (Not snow....), night time is bad, the lights mist up and I have to drive slow, not good, so I purchased a DB9 venting kit also from AM Upgrades, it has transformed the lights and vision, I can now drive faster at night, well worth purchasing, happy driving all especially as the weather is improving.

 

Anything similar for the tail lights?

 

I have only found one individual in Germany that came up with a solution, but after several attempts to contact him finally I gave up.

One of my tail lights had a very small spot of condensation after a through wash so I decided to remove them, dry them, and then thoroughly seal them. Since that time I have had zero issues. Attached is another fine video by our very own @V8Vdrew which may help you seal yours as well.

 

I found that when I removed my tail lights for back up cam install I inspected my seals and caulked them also.

I think the real trick when installing them is to tighten the nuts just enough to keep the lights from sliding around... to often the tendency is to over tighten them. Mine are hand tight and I haven't had them slip or leak in the past few years