Tail Light Assembly - Condensation Issue?

[NewToBronco]

Anyone else having condensation issues with their tail light assembly? The car is garaged most of the time. OBX, 2.7, Lux.

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[604Bronco]

Anyone else having condensation issues with their tail light assembly? The car is garaged most of the time. OBX, 2.7, Lux.

I believe someone posted a snippet from the manual recently on condensation in the headlights, and it's normal. I assume the tail lights are no different.

 

[NewToBronco]

I believe someone posted a snippet from the manual recently on condensation in the headlights, and it's normal. I assume the tail lights are no different.

I'll take a look. Thanks.

 

[flip]

Yes. If you go by Ford's job aid on condensation in lamps this is considered normal or "non-warrantable". If there is standing water in the bottom or large drops running down the inside of the lens then it would be abnormal and "warrantable". Have a customer with this issue and is doing on mine too. The light is $1,040 at warranty rates. Some dealers are on the digital imaging program and will have to take pics and send to someone at Ford that determines if it's warrantable and issue a authorization code so the dealer gets paid.

Not my rules so don't hate the messenger. Once Ford's called a part back, considered it "non defective" and charged the whole claim back you gotta CYA. Last one we ate was a $1,500 heated, folding, telescoping side mirror on a Superduty.

 

[NewToBronco]

Yes. If you go by Ford's job aid on condensation in lamps this is considered normal or "non-warrantable". If there is standing water in the bottom or large drops running down the inside of the lens then it would be abnormal and "warrantable". Have a customer with this issue and is doing on mine too. The light is $1,040 at warranty rates. Some dealers are on the digital imaging program and will have to take pics and send to someone at Ford that determines if it's warrantable and issue a authorization code so the dealer gets paid.

Not my rules so don't hate the messenger. Once Ford's called a part back, considered it "non defective" and charged the whole claim back you gotta CYA. Last one we ate was a $1,500 heated, folding, telescoping side mirror on a Superduty.

Thank you. I'll follow up with Ford and my dealer.

 

[AHop]

The above answers are correct and I was going to explain it, but the workshop manual does a much better job explaining it.

Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure. Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur if the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a thin mist forms on the interior of the lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation. The amount of time it takes to clear the lens of acceptable mist varies with ambient humidity and lamp types. Normal condensation clears from any lamp in 48 hours under dry conditions.

Do not replace a lamp assembly with acceptable levels of condensation such as:

• presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets are present)
• fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens

Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp housing leak):

• water puddling inside the lamp
• large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of the lens

 

[MN_OuterBanks]

Check the manual. Normal for some condensation.

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