Tail light repair decision

[nis350]

I got some condensation in one of my tail lights. The trunk is dry and have tightened up the whole assebly, but no successful.

Guess the next step is to remove the whole tail light and reseal it.

After reading many posts about the breakage during the removal process, I am debating if I should just leave it the way it is since the condensation is minor and it is not flooded with water (No leaks in the trunk at all).

What is the long term effect if I just leave it? I am in SCAL so the weather is not too extreme.

Advice is appreciated. :wink:

 

[redbird92]

Hey i just pulled my tail lamps off w no trouble and put new Oem gaskets between them and the body , they were OLD and dead, leaking, now all is good , the only small issue was dropping the lillte 8mm nuts that hold the lamps , have a magnet ready !!

 

[TyraNSX]

Drill a small weephole in the bottom of the tail light. This is probably best done off the car in case the drill slips.

 

[Malibu Rapper]

I'd first start off doing what redbird92 did and replace the gaskets. If that doesn't work, then maybe try drilling the holes. Unless you are surgeon, I would not try taking off the lens and resealing it. It really is so fragile that the likelihood of it cracking is very high. I'm not sure if that's what you meant by resealing but that's the only time you have to worry about cracking the tail lights.

When you pull off the tail lights, you'll know by looking at the gaskets if they are effective. I've heard that you can buy foam weatherstripping at Home Depot and cut it into pieces to make a good seal.

 

[alverman]

In my case I found out that the few condensation was due to a gap between the larger taillamp and the lens over the backup light which was apparently not well attached any more. I guess the previous owner tried to do a too thorough job cleaning and pushed part of the lens loose to the inside ...

 

[nis350]

what if I just remove the whole assembly and put glue around the housing? Would that stop the condensation?

I think my gasket is good since I don't have an water or moisture in the trunk.

Any issues or warnings when removing the whole assembly?

Thanks.

 

[Malibu Rapper]

what if I just remove the whole assembly and put glue around the housing? Would that stop the condensation?

I think my gasket is good since I don't have an water or moisture in the trunk.

Any issues or warnings when removing the whole assembly?

Thanks.

Just FYI, because you don't have moisture in the trunk does not mean your gaskets are still good. I remember with mine, they would soak in water and then that water would leak into the tail light assembly. No moisture problems in the trunk at all. Moisture in the trunk problems are more often a result of the trunk seal not sitting or installed right.

If you put glue around the housing it will look ugly and probably won't fix the problem. It's a rare exception to have the leak as a result of the housing and lens separating.

 

[mrbythatmuch]

In my case I found out that the few condensation was due to a gap between the larger taillamp and the lens over the backup light which was apparently not well attached any more. I guess the previous owner tried to do a too thorough job cleaning and pushed part of the lens loose to the inside ...

I have that same problem a detailer did it but I didn't notice it till like a month later. What kind of adhesive should be used?

 

[nis350]

Just FYI, because you don't have moisture in the trunk does not mean your gaskets are still good. I remember with mine, they would soak in water and then that water would leak into the tail light assembly. No moisture problems in the trunk at all. Moisture in the trunk problems are more often a result of the trunk seal not sitting or installed right.

Isn't the tail light assembly sealed completely? So even if the gasket is wet, the moisture should not enter the tail light assembly from behind, right?

I have not seen the tail light off the car. Clarification would be appreciated.

 

[ediddynsx]

As they said put new seals first....if that does not work then drill tiny holes on the bottom.

 

[alverman]

I have that same problem a detailer did it but I didn't notice it till like a month later. What kind of adhesive should be used?

I pushed the lenspiece in, applied a transparent 'hybrid polymer' type of glue
to the edges handling and pulling the piece to the tail lamp using a suction cup.

 

[Malibu Rapper]

Isn't the tail light assembly sealed completely? So even if the gasket is wet, the moisture should not enter the tail light assembly from behind, right?

I have not seen the tail light off the car. Clarification would be appreciated.

No the taillight is open from behind where the gaskets are. If it was sealed completely you could not insert light bulbs. I know what your conventional wisdom is telling you and that is your tail lights are not sealed. The most common reason for the moisture issue is the seal that is in the back and not that the lens has separated from the housing.