Water in Taillight Lenses

[JMichelson]

After washing my 2006 3500 a couple of weeks ago I noticed water in the tail light lenses. The right side back-up light was completely full and the left side back-up was about half full. I took them apart and drained the water out of them and dried them out.

A couple of days later both of the lenses were full of condensation. Yesterday I went through a drive through car wash and the right side back-up was about ¼ full and the left had a small amount in it. Both sides were full of condensation. The truck is 2 months old and has yet to set out in the rain so I don’t know if rain will cause them to leak.

Has anybody experienced this? Should this be a warranty item? I did a search of the site and came up empty. Thanks. Jeff

 

[jelag]

The water in the lens will cause bulb failure... . what will happen some night when you have your lights on... . the bulb will heat up and the water will splash onto the bulb and it will burn out... Take the truck back to the dealer after the next car wash and let them see it... . they should order you new len's... . I used to have this problem on one of my cars and never could get it sealed... I pulled the assembly down... and found a nice spot in the lower corner of the lens... drilled a small hole... . 1/8" or so... and this would let the water drain out... . and allow enough air to keep the condensation from forming... . but todays modern assemblies shouldn't give you any problems.....



If they give you a bad time... . see if they have a car wash on the lot where they wash the cars before deliver... . have them run your truck and another truck through the wash and look at the difference... . All my trucks are dually's and they won't go through car washes so we do them by hand... .

 

[Tom Johnston]

I have a 2006 2500 Quad Cab

After a series of rainstorms here in SoCalif (not a frequent thing mind you) i looked at my rear tailights and noticed not just condensation in the right back up light section, but my left back up light was 1/2 full of water!

Like the previous poster, i pulled the unit drained and all that, but also inspected and it appeared to be both dry and dusty on all inside surfaces. I tightned all screws and such, and am waiting to see if this happens again.

Anyone else with this issue??

 

[Bob4x4]

Use a clear flow able sealer such as what can be used on windsheilds pull the lamps and seal the lenses to the housings

 

[Newt]

The water in the lens will cause bulb failure... . what will happen some night when you have your lights on... . the bulb will heat up and the water will splash onto the bulb and it will burn out... Take the truck back to the dealer after the next car wash and let them see it... . they should order you new len's... . I used to have this problem on one of my cars and never could get it sealed... I pulled the assembly down... and found a nice spot in the lower corner of the lens... drilled a small hole... . 1/8" or so... and this would let the water drain out... . and allow enough air to keep the condensation from forming... . but todays modern assemblies shouldn't give you any problems.....

If they give you a bad time... . see if they have a car wash on the lot where they wash the cars before deliver... . have them run your truck and another truck through the wash and look at the difference... . All my trucks are dually's and they won't go through car washes so we do them by hand... .

Jim

I found out after buying a dually that there are a lot of places it won't go through. LOL

Newt