What to Do When There's Moisture in the Tail Lights?
2 Answers
Methods to deal with moisture in the tail lights include: 1. Use an air gun to blow air into the headlight to speed up defogging and dehumidification; 2. Remove the headlight dust cover to allow quick release of water vapor inside the light; 3. Turn on the headlights for about 30 minutes to increase the internal temperature of the headlights and accelerate the evaporation of small water droplets inside. The reasons for moisture in the tail lights are: 1. Cracks in the welding between the headlight and the lamp housing; 2. The driver fording water or driving in rainy weather; 3. Aging of the lamp cover rubber; 4. Cracks in the headlight sealing cover; 5. The vent cover, vent tube, or breathable membrane has fallen off; 6. Using a high-pressure water gun to wash the car.
Having run an auto repair shop for years, I've seen tail light condensation all too often—usually due to aging or damaged seal rings letting moisture sneak in, which then fogs up with temperature swings. This needs prompt attention, as pooled water can corrode circuits, cause shorts, or even burn out bulbs, making your brake/turn signals dangerously dim at night. First-step DIY check: inspect the housing for cracks. If intact, remove the light and air-dry it for days. If that fails, replace the seal ring (a cheap fix at parts stores). Prevention? Always dry lights post-wash and routinely inspect seal integrity—don’t cut corners.
