2021-2023 Nissan Lamp Fogging TSB

Nissan Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) NTB03-074Q addresses customer concerns regarding Nissan lamp fogging in headlamps, fog lamps, and rear combination lamps. This bulletin helps technicians and owners differentiate between normal condensation and conditions that indicate a problem requiring service.

All current Nissan lamp assemblies are vented to the atmosphere, not sealed. This design allows for air expansion and contraction due to temperature variations, preventing damage to the lamp. As a result, moisture in the air can enter and exit the lamp assembly through these vents, and certain environmental conditions can cause moisture to condense.

Symptoms of Nissan Lamp Fogging

Owners may observe water vapor or fog inside their headlamps, fog lamps, or rear combination lamps. This condensation can appear anywhere on the outer lens, typically at its coldest location.

Normal Condensation:

• Temporary fogging or cloudiness inside the lens.
• Often occurs due to environmental conditions or sudden temperature changes (e.g., car wash, cold sunny day).
• Should disappear over time when the lamp is in a dry environment.

Abnormal Condensation (Requires Inspection):

• Moisture that trickles, drips, or pools inside the lens.
• Large drops of water (larger than 3 mm in diameter) collecting inside the lens.
• An accumulation of water puddled at the bottom of the lamp, which is 10 mm or more in depth.

Diagnosis and Repair Procedure

When a customer reports Nissan lamp fogging, technicians follow a specific diagnostic flow chart to determine if the condition is normal or if lamp replacement is necessary.

1. Visual Inspection: The first step is to visually inspect the lamp for puddles, runs on the lens, large droplets (over 3 mm), or water depth of 10 mm or more. If physical damage (cracked or broken) is present, the assembly should be replaced.
2. Bulb Type Check: Determine if the lamp's light source is a Xenon or Halogen type (non-LED) or an LED-only assembly. Halogen bulbs use a filament, while Xenon bulbs use electrodes and an HID Control Unit. LED bulbs are semiconductors and typically have a Control Module.
3. Condensation Clearing Test (Non-LED Lamps): For Xenon or Halogen lamps, the vehicle is pulled into the service bay, and the lamps are turned on. The condensation is monitored for 30 minutes. If the condensation clears, the condition is considered normal.
4. LED Lamp Consideration: LED-only lamp assemblies do not generate enough heat to dissipate normal condensation. Therefore, if an LED lamp shows abnormal condensation, it may require replacement without the clearing test.
5. Replacement: If condensation does not clear in non-LED lamps, or if abnormal conditions are found in any lamp type, the lamp assembly may need replacement. If only the lamp housing is replaced, bulbs, sockets, harness, and ballasts are reused.

Important Warranty Information

Nissan's New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover physically damaged (cracked or broken) headlamps, fog lamps, or rear combination lamps. It is crucial for owners to understand that not all lamp assembly replacements are covered under warranty.

• Any parts found physically damaged (cracked or broken) will be charged back to the dealer.
• Any parts determined as "no defect found" after replacement may also be charged back to the dealer.

Therefore, accurate diagnosis of Nissan lamp fogging is essential to avoid unnecessary charges.