Think this might fix the fogged tail light issue?
11-12-2004, 08:37 PM
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Think this might fix the fogged tail light issue?
Hey all,
I know a bunch of us, including me, have been experiencing some issues with fogging tail lights.
I searched the internet for solutions to the problem and I found that people with other cars drilled 1-2 very small holes in their tail lights, which allowed the fog to vent and solved the problem.
Does anyone think this might work or has anyone tried it?
I know a bunch of us, including me, have been experiencing some issues with fogging tail lights.
I searched the internet for solutions to the problem and I found that people with other cars drilled 1-2 very small holes in their tail lights, which allowed the fog to vent and solved the problem.
Does anyone think this might work or has anyone tried it?
11-12-2004, 08:46 PM
#2
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How about a visit to your local Mazda service guy? This must be a defect which must be fixed under warranty. No doubt. Why mess with it?
11-12-2004, 08:52 PM
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I took my problem taillight off and installed some foam weatherstip sealer around the outer edge of the opening where the inside of the light meets the body. Haven't had any moisture buildup since.
11-12-2004, 08:53 PM
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had same problem..took to dealer..problem is from when they prep the car..there is a thread on it..if they use alcohol to remove the glue it will cause cracks in the lights and it will let in moisture..dealer will replace under warranty
11-12-2004, 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by dkelly3854
I searched the internet for solutions to the problem and I found that people with other cars drilled 1-2 very small holes in their tail lights, which allowed the fog to vent and solved the problem.
Definitely don't do this under any circumstances..... you're promoting the opportunity for more moisture to enter the assembly through these new holes.Dealer should cover it under warranty, let them deal with it.
11-13-2004, 01:26 AM
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Yeppers warranty it (them). I had the left one fog up and collect about 1/2" worth of water before I had the dealer replace it, 8 days later the other side showed signs of ondensation and they replaced it under warranty too. Put that drill down! Make Mazda replace those!
11-13-2004, 03:44 AM
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nojooc is right. Drilling holes will let more water inside the lens.
I also occasionally find condensation inside my LHS taillight assembly. None so in the RHS one, but there is a very tiny bug in there, about 1 mm big. Don't know how it got inside. I reckon it must have got inside at the factory assembly line.
I also occasionally find condensation inside my LHS taillight assembly. None so in the RHS one, but there is a very tiny bug in there, about 1 mm big. Don't know how it got inside. I reckon it must have got inside at the factory assembly line.
11-14-2004, 12:32 AM
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Very true, I have had this problem a few times, after my car was hit and i had almost a new rear end put on the right side light was broken by the body shop so they repalced it bu the one that was destroyed in the crash. came in and after a wash it fogged up too. So well when I had them replace the one they broke, they ordered another one for the left side that was deffective from mazda and let me know that any more problems and mazda would take care of it.
11-14-2004, 09:21 AM
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Check this service bulletin out..
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...09-021-04.html
small cracks will cause fogging
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...09-021-04.html
small cracks will cause fogging
07-07-2010, 08:50 AM
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I have an 04 and my tail light fogged 1 year after the bumper to bumper warranty expired. There was an obvious leak because the tailight had about an of inch of water in the corner from condensation. I removed the tail light and drilled a very small hole at an angle lowest point into the pocket of water. It drained and then I put a bead of clear silicon seal around the lense seam to the base. No more condensation. No more water in lense. Like new again. If you still have warranty let the dealer replace them. It's easier.
Last edited by Roaddemon; 07-07-2010 at 08:53 AM.
07-07-2010, 10:14 AM
#19
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The latest TSB on this says that water in the taillight is normal, no need to replace anything. I presume this means they're running low on replacement units.
Indo - you can get gaskets from finishlineperformance.com . You can also look up the TSBs there. The gaskets are not cheap. Think about doing what Roaddemon did, or poke around here for other people's home brew fixes.
The only time I had a problem with water in a taillight was on my daughter's Honda Accord. I just drilled a drain hole.
Ken
Indo - you can get gaskets from finishlineperformance.com . You can also look up the TSBs there. The gaskets are not cheap. Think about doing what Roaddemon did, or poke around here for other people's home brew fixes.
The only time I had a problem with water in a taillight was on my daughter's Honda Accord. I just drilled a drain hole.
Ken
07-07-2010, 10:51 AM
#20
Not Faster Thn Ryans Spd3
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I replaced three gaskets and the water would stop coming in for a while but it always came back eventually.. Now it was my drivers side tailight that would always leak... I found one day while it was raining the source of the water was the gromet above the tailight in between the body panel and where trunk sits was letting water in through the back of the light. Bought some silicone and put it around the gromet about 5 months ago no condensation or anything since problem solved I can try and post pictures later if necessary
07-07-2010, 11:27 AM
#21
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Good job searching. I had mine replaced twice on each side. The upgraded gasket is BS just like the updated visor. Just get some black RTV silicone and cover the oem gasket with it (be generous). You should not have a problem ever again.
07-07-2010, 08:43 PM
#22
Holy thread resurrection batman. I did black RTV silicone at first on all edges. It worked quite well but it wasn't perfect. I ended up using thin insulation foam with the sticky backside to make a tighter seal between the gasket and the body panels. It can now go through hurricanes and tsunamis.
11-25-2012, 08:37 AM
#23
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Leaky Lights
Nothing to do with gaskets, the plastic join between the back of the light and the actual lenses is where my water was getting in. Used a sealant on the join, and so far no more leaks.
Touch Wood....
11-26-2012, 11:26 PM
#24
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Fogging or water? What I did to solve my "water" in the taillight issue is take the taillights off yourself, buy some cheep $5 weatherstripping **** (one sided sticky, foam looking stuff) and then just follow the "outline" that will be there to where the gasket touches the frame, it will be like a worn out part of the gasket - no problems since.
