Damn clearance lights...

[MMeier]

... are leaking again!!! Dealer replaced all 5 shortly after delivery because all were cracked, apparently at factory. Now tonight I notice water coming off my visor mounts again! Looks like the middle one is cracked right off the front mounting screw. Anyone else have these things leak after having them fixed the first time around? Will put some silicone around it after dinner and see if dealer has anymore in stock, anyone know of an aftermarket replacement that works on a 3rd gen truck? TIA Mark

 

[strokerschmoker]

Clear silicon is your best friend. I took mine to the dealer and they fixed 2 of them and set me on my way. Not even a week later more water was dripping from the sun visor clip. Back to the dealer i went only to find out that i was goin to have to let them have the truck all day to have their "leak specialist" look at it. (As if it was coming from somewhere else) Needless to say i laughed and went home with the silicon in hand. I took off all the lights and put a bead of silicon on top of the factory seal and let them dry and then reinstalled. After snuggin the lights down i covered the entire screw hole with more silicon. Once it dries you cant see it at all from the ground and yes, finally it stopped the leak

 

[Patriot_RAM]

I've had all 8 of mine replaced. Yes -- 8. They keep cracking. The last time, I finally went to the dealer and they gave me the lenses so I could install them myself. I barely snugged them down and no more leaks.



The problem is that the bottom of the light is flat -- roof is curved. The screws are at the far ends of the light and were torqued pretty good. With the stress of the curved roof tight against the flat bottom of the light, the most pressure on the lens was in the middle. That's where they were all cracking. In the middle of the sides on the bottom portion of the light. Did that make sense??



If it didn't I think I may have some pictures somewhere of them I can post.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I had a local vendor install mine and no problem. I use a car wash all the time. I'd get a new dealer if they can't handle something this minor. Good luck, doc

 

[Jengle]

Mine leaked too. Took them off myself, and found the seals were working great, no sign of leakage past them. I laid a line of silicone around them anyway, and washed the truck. Water again leaking. I then noticed the hard washers on the mounting screws, put a drop of silicone on them, and no more leaks. I am inclined to believe it was coming from the screw holes in the first place.

 

[MMeier]

Just went to Checker Auto and bought myself a fresh tube of clear silicone, came home and applied to all the clearance lights, smeared some around the fronts and backs of all of them!! Middle light is cracked right in the middle facing forward from screw hole! Hopefully it will be dry for a bit tomorrow so I can get to all the screws and seal them up for good also!! Strokerschmoker: LMAO @ "leak specialist" Jengle: where you been lately??

 

[MCrossley]

funny my 01 with 144k on the clock and 2 times for bulb replacment not one of them leaks to this day, my 05 so far has no leaks go figure

 

[Lodi]

Hey Mark, hope you got those lights sealed b-4 all the rain came down :-laf



My vent kit is on it's way, maybe put it in this weekend Oo.



Phil

 

[rbattelle]

What's cracking the lights? Ever take the truck to an automatic car wash? That's how I cracked one of mine...



-Ryan

 

[Featherman]

Me too

I have the same problem with my clearance lights. Old man winter has arrived, so I am holding off till spring to fix. I'll go buy a tube of clear silicone and dab where I have to. My lenses aren't cracked, so it must be an improper seal.

 

[Jengle]

Work finally caught up with me. 2. 5hr commutes each way to work, getting up at 4am don't leave much time for the late nite chatroom.

 

[MMeier]

Phil, no I didn't, thats how I knew they were leaking ,pulled out of my buddys lot where I store the trailers and WHOOSH!! Too bad I didn't have some soap and shampoo, could've taken a shower right there and then. Darn near soaked my XM unit I just installed Sunday, you'll have to check it out! Hoping for good weather too this weekend , been running on fumes the last week so I can get my vent kit in also!! Glad to hear you again J!

 

[lschultz]

They have replaced several of mine the lenses were cracked by the screw hole. They replaced one cause of a crack and then a couple of months later it started leaking again and they replaced another it again. Its been several months and no leaks yet. If it leaks again and there not cracked I will put some silicone on it.

 

[Lodi]

Mark, doesn't look like the weather is going to co-operate for us this weekend :{

Hope you got your clearance lights sealed up

 

[MMeier]

Stopped by the **ealer this morning and talked to an "advisor" and said they would need truck for a day so they can "verify" my leakage claims!!! Went to parts and new set of 5 would be $89 , so hopefully if the weather is crummy Sunday and Monday I wil drop it off and see if they will do anything, seeing as how they had to replace all of them once already!! Why is it so damn hard to get D/C to repair anything on trhese trucks????

 

[rbattelle]

Why is it so damn hard to get D/C to repair anything on trhese trucks????

The answer is simple: they don't want to see you after you've purchased driven the vehicle off the lot. They want to sell vehicles, not service them.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

OH NO! Another disaster - I can just hear the 1G and 2G naysayers chortling now! How about taking the silicone and building up a moat around each of the lights?



Seriously, thanks for the heads up. I'll have to check mine out and do a regular PM to stave off the April showers.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

Pics

Here's a pic of mine. You may have to look at the fullsize pic to see the cracks. I circled them since some are difficult to see. I think these were just overtightened from the factory.



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