Can water be drained from a rear taillight that has water ingress?
2 Answers
Yes. Solutions for a cracked rear taillight cover: Repair it with glass glue or replace the cover. You can do it yourself or take it to an auto repair shop. For small cracks, you can repair them yourself using glass glue. Then, you can spray paint the cover. First, prepare a masking film to cover all parts except the rear taillight cover to avoid accidentally spraying the car paint. Then, proceed with the spray painting. Reasons why a rear taillight may not work: Most of the time, it's due to a burnt-out bulb inside the taillight. If you open the taillight and find the bulb is fine, then it's likely that the fuse in the car has blown. A damaged fuse is also a direct cause of the taillight not working. Rear taillights include the turn signals, brake lights, position lights, rear fog lights, reverse lights, and parking lights. Generally, there are three main types of bulbs used in rear taillights: halogen car bulbs, HID car bulbs, and the newer LED car bulbs. When these lights are in operation, their power is typically around 21W, and when in position light mode, their power is usually around 5W.
Simply draining the water from the rear taillight is not a long-term solution. I tried it before—after draining, the water would just get back in because the issue lies with the seal: either the lens has aged and cracked, or the gasket wasn’t installed properly during assembly. Residual moisture can corrode internal circuits, cause bulb short circuits, or even affect brake light signals, making it hard for drivers behind you to see your actions. First, check the lens for obvious cracks or looseness. If there’s minor water intrusion, you can remove the lens, thoroughly dry the interior with a hairdryer, and apply some sealant. But to be safe, replacing the lens is the most hassle-free option—spend a little now to avoid major repairs later. Also, remember to check for condensation after each car wash—early detection means early action.
