NTB03-074m

Classification:
Reference:
EL03-030m
Date:
NTB03-074m
April 20, 2018
FOG LAMP AND/OR HEADLAMP FOGGING
This bulletin has been amended to add Fog Lamps and modify one step in the flow chart on page 3.
No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
APPLIED VEHICLES: 2011-2018 Nissan – All models
SERVICE INFORMATION
Occasionally customers may notice water vapor or fog in the headlamps and/or fog lamps.
The following information, illustrations, and flow chart are provided to help you in
determining if an incident for water/condensation in a lamp is normal or not.
Nissan’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover physically damaged (cracked
or broken) headlamps and/or fog lamps.
All current headlamp and fog lamp assemblies are vented to the atmosphere (not sealed).

This is necessary to allow for expansion and contraction of air from temperature
"variations" (warmer or colder) without damage to the lamp.

Moisture in the air sometimes "travels" into and out of the lamp assembly through
these vents.

Certain environmental conditions may cause moisture to condense.

The fogging/cloudiness should disappear over time when the lamp is in a dry
environment.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
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Fog may temporarily form inside the lens of the headlamp and/or fog lamp assemblies
based on environmental conditions or sudden temperature changes (such as in a car wash,
or parked on a cold, sunny day). This is normal. See Figure 1.
Head lamp
Grille
"Cloudy"
condensation (fog)
Lens area
TP030533
Figure 1: Example of normal condensation, ok
NOTE: This condensation can appear anywhere on the outer lens, typically at its
coldest location.
Head lamp
Grille
Water droplets
or pools
Lens area
TP030534
Figure 2: Condition may not be normal (example)
If the moisture trickles, drips, or pools, it may not be considered normal and the lamp
assembly may have a water leak path. See Figure 2 for an example.
If large drops of water collect inside the lens, refer to the flow chart on page 3 to find the
next step.
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NTB03-074m
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Should a customer note water in a headlamp and/or fog lamp assembly, please use the
following flow chart to determine if the condition is normal or requires lamp replacement.
Visual inspection: Does the
lamp show any puddles, runs
on lens, or large (larger than 3
mm diameter) droplets of
water?
YES
NOTE: If there is any physical
damage (cracked or broken),
replace the assembly. Physical
damage is not covered by
warranty.
YES
Replace lamp assembly.
NO
NO
Within the lamp assembly that has
condensation, is the light source or
“bulb” a Xenon or Halogen type
(non-LED)?
See page 4 for bulb type
descriptions.
Is there an accumulation of
water puddled in the bottom of
the lamp which is 10 mm
or more in depth?
Replace only lamp housing.
Reuse any bulbs, sockets,
harness, ballasts, etc.
NO
LED-only lamp assemblies, when
turned ON, will not generate
enough heat to dissipate normal
condensation.
YES
Pull vehicle into service bay.
Turn on the lamps.
Monitor the condensation
in the lamps for 30 minutes.
Is condensation area
on lens clearing?
NO
 Refer to the Electronic Service
Manual for lamp housing
replacement.
YES
DO NOT replace lamp assembly.
 Refer to the Warranty FRT
Manual for claims coding
when applicable.
Inform the customer the following:

All headlamps and fog lamps
allow some moisture (water
vapor) inside through vents
which prevent physical damage
due to pressure buildup when
lamps are turned on.

Certain weather conditions will
cause water vapor to become
visible on lens.

Condensation will clear on its
own as the environmental
conditions change.
NOTE: Not all lamp assembly
replacements are covered
under warranty.
 Warranty part return of the
assembly will be requested.
 Any parts found physically
damaged (cracked or
broken) will be charged
back to the dealer.
 Any parts determined as
“no defect found” may be
charged back to the dealer.
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NTB03-074m
Headlamp and Fog Lamp Assembly Bulb Types and Identification
NOTE: Headlamp assemblies can be a combination of the bulbs described below.
Halogen bulb
Halogen bulbs use a conventional filiment that produces light when electricity is passed
through it.
This type of bulb can be identified as follows:

Has an internal filiment inside the bulb.

When turned OFF the filiment may briefly glow as it cools off.

No external Control Module or HID Control Unit is needed to operate them.
Xenon bulb
Xenon bulbs do not use a filament. Instead, they produce light when a high voltage current
is passed between two tungsten electrodes through a mixture of Xenon (an inert gas) and
certain other metal halides.
This type of bulb can be identified as follows:

Has no filiment, but instead has two opposed electrodes that are housed in a
capsule the size of a pea, and then is enclosed inside a secondary glass bulb.

When turned ON, will illuminate immediately and then over the period of several
seconds continue to brighten until it has reached its maximum rated output.

When turned OFF, no afterglow will be present.

Has an HID Control Unit; usually attached to the headlamp assembly.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulb
LED bulbs are semiconductor devices, which illuminate when forward bias electric voltage
is applied.
This type of bulb can be identified as follows:

Has no filiment or electrodes as described for Halogen or Xenon bulbs.

When turned ON, the bulb reaches maximum rated output immediately.

When turned OFF, light output immediately stops; no afterglow present.

Has a Control Module; usually attached to the headlamp assembly.
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NTB03-074m