Condensation/water in tail light custer
Discussion
I'd like to ask for your help here guys.
The short version of this sorry tale is basically the condensation in the nearside tail lamp unit has got so bad that the whole unit has now failed. In fact, the dealer said they were having to pour water out of the unit (2 drill holes and a drain n' dry isn't going to fix this !). In addition, my offside front sidelight has also now failed.
My dealer (Stratsone Amersham) have been very helpful so far in trying their best to reduce the potential cost to me of fitting both replacement units (approx £1,500 in parts alone)and are currently 'negotiating' with the AM warranty team for a contribution as my 07 Vantage is now out of warranty.
My questions for you knowledgable folk are:
1. Is it possible the headlight failure and rear lamp failure are connected, despite them being on opposite sides of the car? Same circuit perhaps?
2. I know some of you have had similar issues and have had rear lamp units replaced FOC if the car was under warranty, but have any of you had any luck extracting a contribution from AM Warranty dept when outside warranty? If so, how much (%)?
I'd appreciate any advice to help guide me in my negotiations over the coming days.
All this is takling the gloss out of what has been up to now, 19 months of blissful ownership with great dealer support throughout.
Cheers, Paul
The short version of this sorry tale is basically the condensation in the nearside tail lamp unit has got so bad that the whole unit has now failed. In fact, the dealer said they were having to pour water out of the unit (2 drill holes and a drain n' dry isn't going to fix this !). In addition, my offside front sidelight has also now failed.
My dealer (Stratsone Amersham) have been very helpful so far in trying their best to reduce the potential cost to me of fitting both replacement units (approx £1,500 in parts alone)and are currently 'negotiating' with the AM warranty team for a contribution as my 07 Vantage is now out of warranty.
My questions for you knowledgable folk are:
1. Is it possible the headlight failure and rear lamp failure are connected, despite them being on opposite sides of the car? Same circuit perhaps?
2. I know some of you have had similar issues and have had rear lamp units replaced FOC if the car was under warranty, but have any of you had any luck extracting a contribution from AM Warranty dept when outside warranty? If so, how much (%)?
I'd appreciate any advice to help guide me in my negotiations over the coming days.
All this is takling the gloss out of what has been up to now, 19 months of blissful ownership with great dealer support throughout.
Cheers, Paul
Astonbits will save you a lot of money if warranty/contributions dont help.
http://www.astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage...
http://www.astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage...
http://www.astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage...
http://www.astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage...
All Aston bits prices are +VAT! therefore is £900......
You can get them from Lancasters Aston they were selling for about £900 for full set including the centre with free delivery a few weeks ago.
Or there is a set on eBay for £795 or best offer
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-DB9-DBS-V8-...
You can get them from Lancasters Aston they were selling for about £900 for full set including the centre with free delivery a few weeks ago.
Or there is a set on eBay for £795 or best offer
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-DB9-DBS-V8-...
Thanks all - nightmare day at work today.... and a Friday too, how inconsiderate of my employer !!
My Vantage lights are red (I shall save up for my V12V to have clear ones....). Nearside is what I may be after if AM + Dealer can't come to an amicable solution with me. Dealer is due to come back to me soon with a proposal so shall try and share with you all.
It seems that you have to be lucky NOT to suffer some form of condensation in the front and rear lights and to my mind that is a clear manufacturing defect and AM should be handling this almost like a recall - ie. fix it.
Anyway, rant over, I shall try and get it all fixed for the lowest possible price to me.
Thanks again and might be in touch about purchasing some lamps. Hope to catch up with some of you at Burghley next year
My Vantage lights are red (I shall save up for my V12V to have clear ones....). Nearside is what I may be after if AM + Dealer can't come to an amicable solution with me. Dealer is due to come back to me soon with a proposal so shall try and share with you all.
It seems that you have to be lucky NOT to suffer some form of condensation in the front and rear lights and to my mind that is a clear manufacturing defect and AM should be handling this almost like a recall - ie. fix it.
Anyway, rant over, I shall try and get it all fixed for the lowest possible price to me.
Thanks again and might be in touch about purchasing some lamps. Hope to catch up with some of you at Burghley next year
[quote=
Padley69]
It seems that you have to be lucky NOT to suffer some form of condensation in the front and rear lights and to my mind that is a clear manufacturing defect and AM should be handling this almost like a recall - ie. fix it.
[quote]
OK, I'll be the dissenting voice. Why on a 5/6 year old car do you expect Aston to pay for a 'fault'? Do you know how the previous owner(s) treated the car? Headlight fogging is across the range and common to lots of manufacturers of HID lights. Rears are OK so long as you don't pressure wash around the lights. Not perfect but if its failed after 5/6 years I don't see it as a manufacturing fault.
To add - in the spirit of the forum this week - yes I am a tt, yes I have just got back after spending the afternoon in the pub - but tell me I'm wrong!
Padley69]
It seems that you have to be lucky NOT to suffer some form of condensation in the front and rear lights and to my mind that is a clear manufacturing defect and AM should be handling this almost like a recall - ie. fix it.
[quote]
OK, I'll be the dissenting voice. Why on a 5/6 year old car do you expect Aston to pay for a 'fault'? Do you know how the previous owner(s) treated the car? Headlight fogging is across the range and common to lots of manufacturers of HID lights. Rears are OK so long as you don't pressure wash around the lights. Not perfect but if its failed after 5/6 years I don't see it as a manufacturing fault.
To add - in the spirit of the forum this week - yes I am a tt, yes I have just got back after spending the afternoon in the pub - but tell me I'm wrong!
Neil1300R said:
OK, I'll be the dissenting voice. Why on a 5/6 year old car do you expect Aston to pay for a 'fault'? Do you know how the previous owner(s) treated the car?
Have a walk around any carpark in any town......pay particular attention to the older cars....you know anything cheap, like old cavaliers, focus, corsas, astras, civics, corollas, mondeos, golfs, bmws etc etc etc...Make sure they're at least 15 years old.....
Report back here how many have leaking lights
The exercise will do you good, and it'll keep you out of the pub....
Lunablack said:
Have a walk around any carpark in any town......pay particular attention to the older cars....you know anything cheap, like old cavaliers, focus, corsas, astras, civics, corollas, mondeos, golfs, bmws etc etc etc...
Make sure they're at least 15 years old.....
Report back here how many have leaking lights
The exercise will do you good, and it'll keep you out of the pub....
No need to look further than our own brand though. I have seen numerous new cars with taillight condensation at my Aston dealer. In fact, my car is on its third set and my dealer tells me that they always keep several sets on-hand due to the frequency with which they swap them out under warranty. This has nothing to do with age. There must be a serious design or manufacturing flaw. Shame as they are the most beautiful taillights I have seen on a car.Make sure they're at least 15 years old.....
Report back here how many have leaking lights
The exercise will do you good, and it'll keep you out of the pub....
KarlFranz said:
No need to look further than our own brand though. I have seen numerous new cars with taillight condensation at my Aston dealer. In fact, my car is on its third set and my dealer tells me that they always keep several sets on-hand due to the frequency with which they swap them out under warranty. This has nothing to do with age. There must be a serious design or manufacturing flaw. Shame as they are the most beautiful taillights I have seen on a car.
A well balanced viewpoint, KF I would encourage all owners of cars with these lights to check them on a regular basis, as you would your oil and tyres, especially if you are approaching the end of your warranty period
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