WRXtoStingerGT
1000 Posts Club!
spooky
Headlight Housing Condensation
- Thread starter clemson85
- Start date
Crisis
Active Member
Tail Light Condensation
As opposed to starting a new thread on this, figured I'd just add to this discussion. I'd noticed condensation in both tail lights (primarily noticeable in the backup light area) and figured it's likely due to a very small crack in the centre strip portion of the tail light assembly. Wasn't overly concerned about it until it was pointed out to me a couple of days ago that one of my backup lights wasn't working. So, I changed the backup light bulbs to LEDs using the step by step instructions in that thread and it went really well. I now have nice bright backup lights. The offending passenger side bulb had badly corroded contacts at the base of the bulb, presumably a victim of the condensation.
However, when checking the backup lights, I saw that the inner passenger side brake light was not illuminating, either. Both outer brake lights and the driver's side one within the taillight strip assembly were working, though. I'm presuming that this is also due to corrosion of the wiring.contacts feeding the LEDs.
I have no idea as to how the small crack in the tail light strip got there, but it may well have been there from new, as it's hard to notice unless the light is hitting it right and it's in a pretty protected area, so most impacts in the area would contact the body before the plastic there. Given that it's a one-piece tail light assembly, would I need to replace the entire thing? The LEDs should be covered under warranty, but that could be a tough sell due to the crack.
Any suggestions?
As opposed to starting a new thread on this, figured I'd just add to this discussion. I'd noticed condensation in both tail lights (primarily noticeable in the backup light area) and figured it's likely due to a very small crack in the centre strip portion of the tail light assembly. Wasn't overly concerned about it until it was pointed out to me a couple of days ago that one of my backup lights wasn't working. So, I changed the backup light bulbs to LEDs using the step by step instructions in that thread and it went really well. I now have nice bright backup lights. The offending passenger side bulb had badly corroded contacts at the base of the bulb, presumably a victim of the condensation.
However, when checking the backup lights, I saw that the inner passenger side brake light was not illuminating, either. Both outer brake lights and the driver's side one within the taillight strip assembly were working, though. I'm presuming that this is also due to corrosion of the wiring.contacts feeding the LEDs.
I have no idea as to how the small crack in the tail light strip got there, but it may well have been there from new, as it's hard to notice unless the light is hitting it right and it's in a pretty protected area, so most impacts in the area would contact the body before the plastic there. Given that it's a one-piece tail light assembly, would I need to replace the entire thing? The LEDs should be covered under warranty, but that could be a tough sell due to the crack.
Any suggestions?
MerlintheMad
10000 Posts Club!
I'm guessing the same thing: the part was already cracked when it went on the car during assembly; nobody noticed it. If the crack was made by an impact, you would see some mark on the plastic, and even possibly the painted areas around the taillight.
As for warranty, you can only use this logic on Kia and hope for the best.
As for warranty, you can only use this logic on Kia and hope for the best.
______________________________
WRXtoStingerGT
1000 Posts Club!
That's pretty crazy... hopefully KIA covers this under warranty instead of blaming you for the problem... Good luck and keep us posted!!
Crisis
Active Member
Took it to the dealer yesterday and they said they sent photos to Kia to see if it will get covered under warranty. Heard back today that Kia won't cover it under warranty, as they say there are signs of impact. I completely disagree with that opinion - there's not a mark of any type near the crack - just the crack itself. I know the owner of the dealership pretty well, so my next stop will be to see what type of pull he has with Kia Canada. Will keep you posted on the outcome.
The tech at the dealer told me a new tail light bar would be about $1,500 CDN. I said, no thanks, I'll look for something aftermarket. He said he'd do the same thing if it was him. After looking online, I think my best bet is probably one from a salvage yard - if I can't get it covered under warranty.
The tech at the dealer told me a new tail light bar would be about $1,500 CDN. I said, no thanks, I'll look for something aftermarket. He said he'd do the same thing if it was him. After looking online, I think my best bet is probably one from a salvage yard - if I can't get it covered under warranty.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
WRXtoStingerGT
1000 Posts Club!
Unbelievable...
Crisis
Active Member
Bit of an interim update on my cracked rear tail light. The owner of the dealership called the GM at the store and they are talking to Kia Canada again to try to get it covered under warranty, pointing out that there is no visible "point of impact" on either the plastic tail light lens or on the paint on the hatch above or below the light strip. Fingers crossed...
Crisis
Active Member
Good news! Got confirmation this morning that my tail light assembly will be replaced under warranty. Part is on order and should be here next week.
A bit of extra push required on my part but I do have to say that I'm treated very well by the service department of our Kia dealership. Especially nice is the valet service, where they will come to my workplace, pick up my car, do the work and then return it to me freshly washed.
A bit of extra push required on my part but I do have to say that I'm treated very well by the service department of our Kia dealership. Especially nice is the valet service, where they will come to my workplace, pick up my car, do the work and then return it to me freshly washed.
ChaneRZ
1000 Posts Club!
That’s good news indeed!
So I was hand washing my 2019 Stinger GT2 this evening (purchased it in July of last year) and noticed this on my passenger headlight cover. At first I thought it may be condensation inside the housing, but it's not, and is on the outside. This does not rub off and seems to be an issue with the plastic (The best way I can describe it is it almost looks like a water spot). This issue is not present on the driver's side headlamp cover. My car only has just over 6k miles, it's kept garaged, and I have only hand washed it since I purchased it. What could have caused this?
Attachments
Last edited:
______________________________
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
MerlintheMad
10000 Posts Club!
Odd place to ask this question, since this is not condensation.
Can you feel anything when you move your fingers over it? No surrounding clear coat contamination? If it's just the plastic headlight cover, attack it with toothpaste and see if that fades it. That's what I'd try first; before taking it into a detail place that clears up headlight lens fogging on older cars.
Yea, my bad, I was on here and for whatever reason when I came back later I thought I was in a different section.
Yes, it has a slight matte feel to it. I don't see anything wrong with the clear coat anywhere around the area. I may try the toothpaste.
My main issue is that this really shouldn't be happening on a car this new withbthr milage that is has that is taken care of properly. My 15-year-old Lexus with almost 100,000 miles on it doesn't have this issue.
I already have an ongoing case with the Kia Consumer Assistance Center from when I bought the car new regarding the rattling of my sunroof that they can't seem to permanently fix, so I just sent photos of this on to them hoping they will also take care of this issue before having to go to a detail shop.
MerlintheMad
10000 Posts Club!
Damage from some contaminant is what happened. The sky can drop stuff/crap on us literally anywhere; stuff/crap is "raining" down all the time. If that were simply failure of some kind in the plastic lens it wouldn't look like drops: the plastic would craze and it wouldn't be on the surface, it would be through the whole thickness. Something got on there without you noticing. You haven't washed with chemicals that need dilution? A concentrate accidentally dripping/splashing on the plastic could do that.
No concentrate or washing with anything that would need dilution. Only soap and water, and things like Ammo Hydrate afterword sometimes when drying. And anything that has gone on there has gone on the rest of the car, so there would definitely be issues in other places, and there isn't.
MerlintheMad
10000 Posts Club!
Only you can judge "in situ". Pics don't reveal much to any of us. I hope that Kia is helpful.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
AusStinger
Stinger Enthusiast
For any of you having moisture in your headlights, you might want to replace the moisture absorbing satchels in the globe access covers.
I'd suggest replacing them maybe once a year or 2 depending on environment.
Part Number: 92125H8350
I'd suggest replacing them maybe once a year or 2 depending on environment.
Part Number: 92125H8350
______________________________
clemson85
Active Member
Are you getting this done under warranty or doing it yourself? My housing's fog up after each drive and always have.
AusStinger
Stinger Enthusiast
I haven't done it yet but you could try warranty. The key is being able to show them the issue.
ShannonC
2500 Posts Club!
- Joined
- May 8, 2018
- Messages
- 2,701
- Reaction score
- 1,905
- Points
- 118
- Location
- North Parramatta, Sydney, Australia
There's a section on this issue in http://www.kstinger.com/headlamps-790.html
If the suggested fix doesn't work then warranty replacement is mentioned.
I've not had an issue since new May 2018 but I have read of a small number in AUS.
AusStinger
Stinger Enthusiast
They remove the covers and turn the high beams on for 30mins.... We used to use a hair dryer and metal tube.
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
