Tail Light Condensation

[Chen]

Originally Posted by subiestyle

Do the aftermarket taillights have the same problem?

Yes. My crystal eyes do. It's annoying to say you say you spent 500 bucks on lights and it does this garbage.

[Chen]

Speaking of condensation. I'm sure you don't have it as bad as I do. I left for California for spring break and left it in my parents drive way. I came back to this...

[ZionsWrath]

LMFAO

Did you even put a gasket, hahahahaha

[kALMIGHTY]

Originally Posted by subiestyle

Do the aftermarket taillights have the same problem?

My Buddy Club tails had lots of condensation (both driver and passenger side) when the temperature dropped to about -42 degrees celsius (or -44 degrees fahrenheit) and when the temperature came back up to normal, the ice inside the tails melted and I got a puddle of water. Haven't replaced them yet under warranty because there hasn't been any condensation in them for a month or so now. It went away on its own.

[cycleboy]

Originally Posted by Chen

Speaking of condensation. I'm sure you don't have it as bad as I do. I left for California for spring break and left it in my parents drive way. I came back to this...

That's just about worth putting a small fish inside for effect!

[Chen]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

LMFAO

Did you even put a gasket, hahahahaha

Not yet lol. Waiting until the summer since it rains here constantly.

[Eurasianman]

Unless it changed again, condensation has been considered 'normal' for these cars. Back in February, I tried to get mine replaced, but was denied due to Subaru (not sure if Scion did the same) releasing a new TSB saying this was normal. It is only considered an issue if you actually have water building up inside the tail light.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Eurasianman

Unless it changed again, condensation has been considered 'normal' for these cars. Back in February, I tried to get mine replaced, but was denied due to Subaru (not sure if Scion did the same) releasing a new TSB saying this was normal. It is only considered an issue if you actually have water building up inside the tail light.

Depends entirely on the dealer.

Mine had about 1/2" of water from the rains a month ago. After over 4 weeks, it still has water inside (condensation only).

You can clearly see a line where the water dried. The dealer (South Coast Subaru) is replacing the housing for me and I have a loaner to drive until then.

In the end, TSBs are only guidelines on how to do warranty work. If a dealer wants to perform warranty work and is highly confident to get it approved by Subaru, they'll ignore a TSB.

Only the service writers truly green would follow a TSB to a T.

-alex

[Eurasianman]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Depends entirely on the dealer.

Mine had about 1/2" of water from the rains a month ago. After over 4 weeks, it still has water inside (condensation only).

You can clearly see a line where the water dried. The dealer (South Coast Subaru) is replacing the housing for me and I have a loaner to drive until then.

In the end, TSBs are only guidelines on how to do warranty work. If a dealer wants to perform warranty work and is highly confident to get it approved by Subaru, they'll ignore a TSB.

Only the service writers truly green would follow a TSB to a T.

-alex

Interesting. My service department manager told me Subaru would not reimburse them for replacing my tail lights unless it actually had water in it Prior to receiving the updated TSB, he was very opened to changing both of my tail lights originally.

[speedracer38]

I had both my taillights replaced last week for the THIRD time due to condensation and within 24 hours it returned on the left side.

Best part about this is I'm out of the 3 year / 36k mile warranty and into my extended warranty so I was charged a $100 deductible for the replacement. Like I said this is 24 hours after they were replaced for the THIRD time....

[cycleboy]

Originally Posted by speedracer38

I had both my taillights replaced last week for the THIRD time due to condensation and within 24 hours it returned on the left side.

Best part about this is I'm out of the 3 year / 36k mile warranty and into my extended warranty so I was charged a $100 deductible for the replacement. Like I said this is 24 hours after they were replaced for the THIRD time....

From reading here, I don't think the $100 was money well spent. I take from this thread that there is NO factory solution to this, so getting them replaced and paying for it is just throwing money in a hole.

I could be wrong, but what I take from this thread is if you want to make sure they don't leak, it is DIY or nothing.

[speedracer38]

Originally Posted by cycleboy

From reading here, I don't think the $100 was money well spent. I take from this thread that there is NO factory solution to this, so getting them replaced and paying for it is just throwing money in a hole.

I could be wrong, but what I take from this thread is if you want to make sure they don't leak, it is DIY or nothing.

I wasn't told about the $100 deductible until I picked up the car and they wouldn't release me the car until I paid the bullshit charge.

[Boostedpro]

I don't know if you guys have tried this yet or not, but after I had new tails installed I ended up with condensation. So I popped the panel in the trinl and used a 1/4 inch ratchet with I think a 10mm socket and got probably an 1/8th of a turn on each nut. Haven't had any condensation since.

[wdninja]

Originally Posted by Boostedpro

I don't know if you guys have tried this yet or not, but after I had new tails installed I ended up with condensation. So I popped the panel in the trinl and used a 1/4 inch ratchet with I think a 10mm socket and got probably an 1/8th of a turn on each nut. Haven't had any condensation since.

It's 8mm. Also, don't tighten those too much - the posts can pull too far and crack the housings.