Right Tail Light Moisture
12-27-2010, 09:32 PM
#18
Here are some photos of the repair process for anyone else who may encounter this problem in the future. Thanks to everyone who posted with advice in this thread, it really helped me out!
Remove the two retainers for the trunk liner. Use a razor with a pointed corner or just a swiss army knife to pull the center of the retainer out, then pop the retainer out with a panel tool (in background).
(retainer core pulled out)
(closeup of retainer)
(two holes for driver side trunk liner)
Here are the three nuts that hold the tail light in place. Just break them loose with a wrench, socket, or pliers and removed with fingers (they offer very little resistance once loosened).
Don't get crazy impatient like I did and bump into the extensions on the back of the light.
The plastic is surprisingly thin and brittle. A little super glue took care of this, but it could have been much worse.
Next, I removed the two signal bulbs and the cover for the LED lamp and allowed the housing to dry out completely.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________
** EDITED 01-17-2012 **
I am editing this post to repair broken image links, but am also editing post content with the final method used to successfully clean out the water stains shown here:
To remove these water stains, pour about 1/2 cup of Windex in the taillight, swish around thoroughly, then drain off to the corner. Allow the remaining window cleaner to dry and the taillight should be clear.
Remove the two retainers for the trunk liner. Use a razor with a pointed corner or just a swiss army knife to pull the center of the retainer out, then pop the retainer out with a panel tool (in background).
(retainer core pulled out)
(closeup of retainer)
(two holes for driver side trunk liner)
Here are the three nuts that hold the tail light in place. Just break them loose with a wrench, socket, or pliers and removed with fingers (they offer very little resistance once loosened).
Don't get crazy impatient like I did and bump into the extensions on the back of the light.
The plastic is surprisingly thin and brittle. A little super glue took care of this, but it could have been much worse. Next, I removed the two signal bulbs and the cover for the LED lamp and allowed the housing to dry out completely.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________
** EDITED 01-17-2012 **
I am editing this post to repair broken image links, but am also editing post content with the final method used to successfully clean out the water stains shown here:
To remove these water stains, pour about 1/2 cup of Windex in the taillight, swish around thoroughly, then drain off to the corner. Allow the remaining window cleaner to dry and the taillight should be clear.
12-28-2010, 04:43 PM
#19
Damn...my driver side AP2(2004) is having the same condensation too. It was perfect for two years. Not sure why it leaks now. Anyhow, it should be a simple task. 30min at most. Remove tail/bake/clean/dry/reseal/re-install. I'll do it when it's sunny.
01-03-2011, 11:02 PM
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
another victim of the fogging taillight...does anyone know what causes it? is it because of the seal wearing down? I don't see any holes or any damage to the lights...notice it tonight after washing the car. Its gone now but would like to resolve the issue so it doesn't happen again. thanks.