Rear light condensation

[F-typo]

On the hottest, driest fortnight of the year so far, my driver side (uk) rear light has decided to fill up with heavy condensation...

I can only imagine that water has been in there for a while and has condensed onto the inner surface of the light with the higher ambient temperatures. It's heavier than the usual light condensation you get with climatic changes, so I'm guessing that I may have a leak somewhere into the unit.

Looking into the boot it would seem that there's a reasonable amount of panel removal to get to the back of the light, but once I get there, will I be able to mop out the light in situ?

If it's a case of needing to remove the bumper cover and take the light out, I'd probably elect to replace the light at that point, rather than risk it re-filling. If it's relatively easy to get to, I'll take a chance on cleaning it out and hope it's a one-off.

 

[cj10jeeper]

It seems to me most likely that you have water in the boot and that warmer temperatures have caused that to evaporate and fill the boot with vapour, of which some is now in the light and condensed on the lens during the still cold evenings/nights.
Before stripping down the panels have you checked deep in the base of the boot to see if wet and secondly parked it for a day with rear light in the sun to evaporate it out?

 

[F-typo]

Hi - thanks for the reply. The car has had water in the boot previously, but that was fixed by replacing all of the gutter seals and clips. It's been bone dry for over a year now, so am reasonably confident it's not getting in that way. I'll remove the boot panels to get to the back of the light and see if there's any obvious signs of damp in that area. Do the rear lamps have a conventional bulb for the brakes or is the whole unit just led and sealed? Trying to understand if i can get into it to poke some microfiber or paper towel in to dry it out?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Take a look on eBay at F Type rear lights for sale and find a similar age one and you’ll find many different aspect photos of what to expect on the rear of the light.
Since you’ve eliminated boot well water, then onto the light itself. Personally I’d never even try pushing something inside to dry it, but use natural sunlight that will have it sorted in a day or so. They are not sealed unit as have vents to allow air expansion and contraction. That allows moisture in and back out.
Good luck.

 

[RPSN]

Do the rear lamps have a conventional bulb for the brakes or is the whole unit just led and sealed? Trying to understand if i can get into it to poke some microfiber or paper towel in to dry it out?

There’s no conventional bulb as the whole unit is LED. You won’t be able to get into it to poke some microfiber or paper towel in to dry it out.

The condensation should clear after a while as there are two vents on each rear lamp for this purpose. If it doesn't, try applying some heat as mentioned earlier.

Have a read through this topic ‘Rear light issue’ which also includes a diagram of the rear lamp unit...

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8216

https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=82306#p82306

 

[F-typo]

Thanks all for the replies.

I wonder whether over enthusiastic application of the jetwash has somehow allowed water in through the vents.

As per advice I'll see if a little heat will help to shift it. I've noticed light misting previously and as has been commented on, it has always cleared quite quickly - this has been hanging around for days and isn't replicated on the other side.

Car is currently parked with it's back end into the sun, so will see how it gets on. Thanks all for responding.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Thanks all for the replies.

I wonder whether over enthusiastic application of the jetwash has somehow allowed water in through the vents.

As per advice I'll see if a little heat will help to shift it. I've noticed light misting previously and as has been commented on, it has always cleared quite quickly - this has been hanging around for days and isn't replicated on the other side.

Car is currently parked with it's back end into the sun, so will see how it gets on. Thanks all for responding.

Highly unlikely any water would get in from jetwashing as vents are on the inside of the unit, small and discreet. Clearly if water gets around the unit and into the boot area it will increase humidity and the natural breathing of the light as it warms and cools will inevitably draw in any such moisture.

See how you get on after a few days of letting it warm up.