Tail light getting humidity
 

It's been like this for 6 months now. I have 1 solution in my head and 1 backup plan.

Solution: Remove tail light, Open it & Re-seal it properly, re-install tail light.
Backup: Buy new tail light

Do you think it will work?

Here are some pics so you know what im talking about..

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7060/dscn5879c.th.jpghttp://img8.imageshack.us/img8/582/dscn5880t.th.jpg

Are you still under factory warranty? I took my car to mazda for an engine problem, they noticed water in the one tail light, and replaced both for me.

If you are not under factory warranty, search the forum for methods to get it out. Don't spend money if you don't have to.

Good luck

I have had the same problem. What I did is took the lights off put it in the oven at 350 for about five to ten minutes constantly checking it. Then I resealed it with clear cocking from home depot. I have not had any problems since.

mazda has a tsb for this. if you are under warranty, they will fix it for free.

if you are not. drill a VERY small hole somewhere unnoticeable near the bottom of the light. you'll never have the problem again.

+1
I did the same thing and have gone two years now without any condensation.
Make sure you drill the black under-housing, NOT the clear lens.
I drilled a hole under the large brake light circle, on each side, to reduce visibility.

dont drill it. bake it and reseal it or get the mazda tsb

FYI, Mazda does not drill holes in your lights to fix this. just get the updated gaskets and it will fix your problem. don't take your chances ruining your tail lights just to have the condensation come back.

also, you cannot take the lenses apart without breaking them.

so on what year range do this generally happens?

Just take your light out, carefully peel the gasket off and clean the gasket the plastic and where your light sits on the car. Then take some rubber sealant and apply it to the gasket and stick it back on the light. Reinstall the light and the moisture will be gone.

So far I"ve seen it on '04s, '05s, and my '06.

found the TSB http://www.finishlineperformance.com...05-09-2055.pdf

thanks alot guys

I was thinking new seals would work for mine also, but it didn't. It worked for about two weeks then the same thing happened. Some how if you are parked with your trunk slightly down hill the water will go down from humidity or rain and slowly fill your tail lights. It also you will get a little water in the plastic tray with your jack in. Just put a nail or something that will rust really easy in the tray with your jack and you will see. Just beware if you bake your lights the sealant that mazda puts on the inside is really messy. So make sure you dont use your best cooking sheet when you do this and make sure you put something on the counter also.

I have the same problem with mine. I have a 04'. I came here exactly to know what to do with this...Until now, the best idea was to drill a small hole in the light. I just didn't understand where is the best to drill a hole? Sorry, I'm french so english for me is not easy as you!

don't drill a hole because if you drill in the wrong spot you could ruin your tail light. Here is the part number so when you have to buy a new one you don't have to wait for the sells clerk in the service department 51-161a (right tail light) 51-161y (left tail light)

I've went to the dealer to change my left tail light 3 times already, and it is STILL happening.

I need to bring it in to change them a 4th time. This is really starting to piss me off.

I love reading post where people (for some reason) don't like the hole drilling idea, but suggest to others that getting a new gasket is the best way.
Then people like mave2k waste their time going back to the dealer over and over again.
I just smile knowing that my little holes I drilled has kept my taillights free of condensation for years now while other are installing (sometimes paying for) gaskets that 'may' fail later on.
But its your car... do what you want!

And this was no direct attack at you mave2k, just saying how crazy some people get when they attack the subject on drilling in the taillight.
Maybe later I'll take some pics and show how difficult it is to tell that the lights have been drilled.

I removed my tail light out and took some pics to show where I drilled mine.
Maybe this will ease some people who think this is a bad idea.
I believe I used a 3/32" drill bit, though you could go smaller if you want.
Use some common sense and don't push down hard on the bit while drilling.
This could lead it to cracking the plastic. Let the bit work itself in.
Also, don't do it right by the edge or else it could crack.
Attachment 139776 Attachment 139777 Attachment 139778 Attachment 139779 Attachment 139780

These holes are really difficult to see when its mounted in the car because its dark underneath and no light to shine up into the holes.

Here are more pics with a shop light shining in the back of the housing to help see the holes.
Attachment 139781 Attachment 139782

In the end, its your car and do whatever method you want!
If you feel more comfortable using new gaskets... that is fine.
Just know that there is a safe alternative.

My son just bought a used '04 8. Does anyone know why one tail light would have a bright reflective red lens and the other a darker dull red lens. The light from the one is very bright even during the day, while the other looks like something from the 60's. They both appear to be OEM lenses.

I recommend everyone to use Jon316G's method, it is just easier and safer than putting the light in the oven (which I tried too and failed => cracked a little peice of plastic)

Thanks Jon! ;)

Exactly. Drilling the light is not needed.

Unlike others on this form, I don't mind giving you options to decide for yourself.
You can drill holes, replace the gasket, use RTV.
If there was a major flaw with one of these options, we would address it.
So use whichever method YOU prefer.

I drilled the holes...
 

So I took your advice (as it seemed to be the easiest and most effective) and it worked flawlessly. You can't see the holes and there's not more water in my tail light.

Thanks for the help!

Before:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg412...jpg&res=medium

After:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg843...jpg&res=medium