Condensation In Clear Rear Lights

[bomberh]

I have clear rear lights fitted to my car. I have been out to my car this morning to find the near side light has a large amount of condensation in it (see below). The off side light is perfectly clear.

I thought these were a sealed unit and this shouldn't happen, or does it happen and all it needs is for it to warm up a bit and the condensation will go away? As a sealed unit, I don't think that moisture in the unit is going to do the electric circuits any good??

Edited by bomberh on Wednesday 8th May 08:40

[Speculatore]

I am on my third passenger side rear light through condensation. It's a common problem and clearly a design fault.

[Cockernee]

Mine were replaced under warranty, so if they are new enough to be covered, get them replaced. Unlike the fronts that do suffer internal condensation, the rears should not.

[mikey k]

Cockernee said:

Mine were replaced under warranty, so if they are new enough to be covered, get them replaced. Unlike the fronts that do suffer internal condensation, the rears should not.

can you no blag a batch for us all

[pilgrim7777]

Mine were replaced in the first six months.. agree it is production problem on the sealing of the unit.

[snuffy]

Mine are like that as well.

I did think of drilling a tiny hole somewhere to try and let the moisture out.

[jeremydb9]

When I replaced mine I had the same issue in both. Aston Martin Bits replaced both - so if you are buying them second hand get them from AM bits!

He said it is a common issue and to try and trap it pre sale he warms them up then puts them in the freezer to see if they mist!

The condensation on mine seemed pretty random. It would come, go and come again. The RHS one in partic.

There is one on Ebay at the moment for £120 ish IIRC with about 6 days to go.

They do look nice though!

I would guess the red ones do it as well, but you just cant see it?

The units seems sealed, but when you have them off there is a sort of push on plug. I did not seek to pull it off, but it does turn. I wonder if it is some sort of one way vent ( in theory) which is why they sometimes clear?

[Neil1300R]

Common problem with both red and clear lights. Unless you stop the water ingress / condensation it will eventually damage the electrics in the unit. Will then need replacing.

Was someone that actually repaired one a while back.

[Lunablack]

bomberh said:

all it needs is for it to warm up a bit and the condensation will go away?

LED's generate a tiny amount of heat, I doubt very much that the amount fitted in the unit, would have any effect on the moisture whatsoever...

[CPBRI]

My dealer in New England said that AM requires them to first perform a "fix". If that does not work, then a replacement is done. Whatever the fix was (drilling holes), it seems to have worked.

[AWV12]

Indeed a very common problem. Had rear light of my V8V and later my DBS replaced under warranty (after trying the fix, that did not work).

Regarding front lights, it is a different issue: there is a fix (dry seal bags?) but not completely under warranty. But both sides are ok now

[bomberh]

Just heard back from the dealer that fitted my rear clear lights. Apparently, the factory has requested that the rear lights have the "modification" done to them (holes drilled)

I am not best pleased that they are going to drill holes in my rear clear lights that are in effect a sealed unit. Is this not going to make it worse?

I have to book my car in so they can do this "modification" so that will be next week sometime, so I will keep everyone posted.

[KarlFranz]

bomberh said:

I am not best pleased that they are going to drill holes in my rear clear lights that are in effect a sealed unit. Is this not going to make it worse?

The modification involves drilling the hole, blowing the moisture out, and then resealing the unit. So, no, it's not going to make it worse.

[bomberh]

KarlFranz said:

bomberh said:

I am not best pleased that they are going to drill holes in my rear clear lights that are in effect a sealed unit. Is this not going to make it worse?

The modification involves drilling the hole, blowing the moisture out, and then resealing the unit. So, no, it's not going to make it worse.

Thanks for the information, that makes me feel better. I wish they would explain what they are going to do, instead of just saying, "we need to drill holes in your rear lights".

Thanks again, I hope it works!

[mikey k]

They are not truly sealed, there are vents to allow for expansion of the air in hotter weather.
Problem is the area under the light tends to pool water so when they cool they pull in humid air, this condenses on the inside of the lens
I had a similar problem on an S2000
I took the light off and left it in the boiler cupboard with some silica gel for a few days
Once it was dry I sealed it up good an proper with epoxy glue

[thetees]

Bump!
Apparently, there is an official AM document on how/where to drill temporary drain holes. Does anybody have that document?

[goddo]

Cockernee said:

Mine were replaced under warranty, so if they are new enough to be covered, get them replaced. Unlike the fronts that do suffer internal condensation, the rears should not.

When I bought my DB9 the front lights suffered from condensation, particularly after washing the car.
The selling dealer put silica gel packs in them and it seems to have cured the problem.
I can't help with a cure for the back lights though. Like other on here, I thought they were sealed units

[snuffy]

Mine are exactly like that.

[Biggriff]

I'm sure the light mod is in the manual that I managed to obtain.

[thetees]

Biggriff said:

I'm sure the light mod is in the manual that I managed to obtain.

If it is, I can't find it (assuming I have the same manual). Any ideas where?