Condensation/water in tail light custer

Condensation/water in tail light custer

Author
Discussion

Padley69

Original Poster:

187 posts

132 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
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



V12woollie

4,363 posts

144 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Are your rear lights red or clear?

divetheworld

2,565 posts

134 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
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...


Jibberingloon

848 posts

199 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
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 wink

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-DB9-DBS-V8-...



Jockman

17,912 posts

159 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
My Dealer fitted mine for £905 all in. Some on here got it cheaper than that smile

V12woollie

4,363 posts

144 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
How do we know they are clear lights?

I asked what colour as I have one red rear light unit from my old V8V left if it is wanted. Yours for a donation to Help for Heroes.

V12woollie

4,363 posts

144 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
Jockman said:
My Dealer fitted mine for £905 all in. Some on here got it cheaper than that smile
£800, but then my dealer likes me biggrin

Jockman

17,912 posts

159 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
V12woollie said:
£800, but then my dealer likes me biggrin
So he didn't damage your alloys ?? hehe

V12woollie

4,363 posts

144 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
Jockman said:
So he didn't damage your alloys ?? hehe
I can neither confirm nor deny that, although the NSA may have a record of it somewhere biggrin

Lunablack

3,494 posts

161 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
It can't just be me that thinks this is all a bit st.....

A car that costs ££££££ new.
Leaking lights, and then the owner left to pay the same as I paid for the wife's Yaris to sort it outrolleyes

Not fit for purpose....

Jockman

17,912 posts

159 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
Correct...they were probably broken in the first place....this is a known issue with these lights which I had too.

Trouble is proving it after 19 months smile

Padley69

Original Poster:

187 posts

132 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
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

V12woollie

4,363 posts

144 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
Padley69 said:
Nearside is what I may be after if AM + Dealer can't come to an amicable solution with me.
That's a shame. I have the offside rear lamp unit left. Good luck with this.

Neil1300R

5,487 posts

177 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
[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! wink


michael gould

5,691 posts

240 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
How much did you drink ? I've been on the lash too

Neil1300R

5,487 posts

177 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
michael gould said:
How much did you drink ? I've been on the lash too
Not enough, but about to go back to the pub.
Lager only, don't understand you posh boys with your fancy wines!

Lunablack

3,494 posts

161 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
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 lightsbiggrin

The exercise will do you good, and it'll keep you out of the pub....smile

KarlFranz

2,008 posts

269 months

Friday 25th October 2013
quotequote all
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 lightsbiggrin

The exercise will do you good, and it'll keep you out of the pub....smile
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.

shunt

968 posts

224 months

Saturday 26th October 2013
quotequote all
I have a spare set of red rears boxed in the garage. Make me a sensible offer.

Jockman

17,912 posts

159 months

Saturday 26th October 2013
quotequote all
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 yes

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 smile