TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

MASTER THREAD: Moisture condensation in taillights, fog lights, etc

Discussion in 'Model 3: Interior & Exterior' started by gemmisa, Apr 6, 2018.

  1. belanger

    belanger Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2018
    Messages:
    75
    Location:
    USA
    You happen to have a picture? I'm unclear what you did and I'm interested.
     
  2. p1l0t3

    p1l0t3 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Messages:
    120
    Location:
    Quebec, QC, Canada
    I have some condensation when going out from car wash.
    The issue I have is that even the "normal" fog is freezing within the taillight (front and back).
    Next time, I will take pictures and ask for SC.
     
  3. PNWLeccy

    PNWLeccy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2019
    Messages:
    839
    Location:
    Seattle
    After much back and forth with SC after I scheduled my appointment re: headlights with streaks/residue in housing, they finally agreed to replace both headlights with new ones. Confirmed that they do not have the same sort of residue inside.
     
  4. WilliamG

    WilliamG Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2019
    Messages:
    3,024
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    B8775173-9D4E-43A0-8C24-E6F5D15CC112.jpeg A7A26FF7-84DD-4910-9AA2-D8B20B1F95E4.jpeg 3E75E9A9-CD75-4011-8F65-B487197EC29A.jpeg 311704FA-57F4-42F0-847F-6ACA526FF228.jpeg 9A078496-45FB-4E31-8038-95BBD4D05BA4.jpeg Just to show you all how common this issue is, I’m in London right now and wandering around my neighborhood there I took a few photos of cars with fogging in the tail lights.

    Behold, Toyota Prius, Vauxhall Crossland X, and Aston Martin DB9. These are all on my road, and all have the issue. Oh, and a Model 3 for good measure!
     
    • Like x 3
  5. dskillz

    dskillz Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2019
    Messages:
    103
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Had the taillight attached to the trunk on the left side replaced at no charge today due to being fogged up. Done via Mobile Service.
     
  6. nowtleft

    nowtleft Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2017
    Messages:
    295
    Location:
    Uk
    You will!
     
  7. nowtleft

    nowtleft Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2017
    Messages:
    295
    Location:
    Uk
    My P85 had lights replaced and new ones filled quickly.
    New PM3 has condensation in already.
    Tesla make great tech but *sugar* seals. Get used to it and see the funny side!
     
  8. Jones0812

    Jones0812 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2019
    Messages:
    40
    Location:
    Boston
    Only a month old...one of my foglights on my 3. Need to contact them to swap it out. Everything else seems fine
     

    Attached Files:

  9. WilliamG

    WilliamG Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2019
    Messages:
    3,024
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Yep that’s an actual replacement for sure.
     
  10. nimbuzz

    nimbuzz Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2020
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Gualala, CA
    --Could you please check with a pin and see if it is an open hole into the entire light housing? There is talk here that there are 'Two skins' = an inner and outer and I'm wondering if the hole goes through both or just the outer. If it's both I'll drill a tiny hole and see what happens.
     
  11. nimbuzz

    nimbuzz Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2020
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Gualala, CA
    After reading all 11 pages here is my conclusion; (drum roll) Other cars do do it too but it is common on Tesla and other hitech cars like new Mercedes that have LED lights. Theory is that most cars can dry out any condensation with the heat from the bulbs but LEDs don't generate enough heat. These lights have vents to let out warmth and varying pressure like airplane windows but this lets in moisture as well.

    I'm going to go with TLLMRRJ 's remedy to silicone the seams and ajp558 who dried his out first.

    Many peeps here are disappointed that a 50--$100K car would have such an issue (as am I) One poster said "get over it and have a sense of humor about it."
    True Story --> My grandfather had a Model A Ford and it was touch & go if his tires would make it from Cleveland to Milwaukee on the gravel roads so he sewed an extra layer of rubber around the tires. Before he got to Cincinnati a tire blew up cuz the extra layer wouldn't let the tires cool so they over heated = live & learn! He was laughing as he told me (a wee fella) the story--he didn't even post anything on the Ford Forums :)
     
    • Like x 2
    • Funny x 1
  12. roblab

    roblab Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2008
    Messages:
    3,340
    Location:
    Angwin (Napa Valley) CA
    I've had moisture in various headlight/tail light lenses on my Teslas, and I always just figured that the plastic wouldn't rust nor would the moisture affect the amount or direction of the beam. Therefore, I never give it a thought. And they work just fine that way. It seems silly to have to have the Tesla Rangers come out to replace a headlight just because there's a little condensation in it. Doesn't hurt a thing.
     
    • Like x 1
  13. MarsOrBust

    MarsOrBust Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2020
    Messages:
    421
    Location:
    Kepler-22b
    Why is it they can’t just properly seal the light case?
    How come the headlights don’t seem to have this problem?
     
  14. Durzel

    Durzel Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2019
    Messages:
    2,593
    Location:
    Bath, UK
    I’ve had two (outside) units replaced under warranty. The guy who fitted them said that they are a new design, and that he hasn’t been called out to re-replace any of the new ones he has fitted, which implies to me that something was wrong or unreliable with the old design
     
  15. coleAK

    coleAK Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2018
    Messages:
    857
    Location:
    Alaska
    I had both tail lights replaced over a year ago under warranty. No issues with condensation since then.
     
  16. Rippin1Gear

    Rippin1Gear Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2020
    Messages:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle
    Has there been a B pillar camera moisture update fix yet? I remember reading Tesla would just remove a round sticker/cover.
     
  17. MarsOrBust

    MarsOrBust Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2020
    Messages:
    421
    Location:
    Kepler-22b
    Use Wrap tape that matches car color and it will do the same thing with a cleaner finish than silicone. Either way problem solved. Tesla really should fix the seals on these lights from the factory they are sub par. However like was said, pick your battles, this one you can work around at least.
     
  18. Rippin1Gear

    Rippin1Gear Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2020
    Messages:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle
    Moisture dried on the inside causing issues now ughhhhh
     

    Attached Files:

  19. blizza87

    blizza87 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2020
    Messages:
    31
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Scheduled Tesla Mobile service to replace my right tail light due to moisture build up and condensation after a rainy day which could last for days before clearing up. Took about 2 weeks for an available service date, but had an excellent experience with them today. Showed up on time. Tail light was replaced within 10 minutes, if that. Cost was entirely covered by warranty. There has to be “beading” of the water droplets within the tail light housing for it to qualify for replacement under the warranty. I included pictures of both the right (with condensation) and left (without) tail lights in the initial service request which satisfied this requirement. First experience with Tesla Mobile Service and it was awesome!
     
  20. ChrisH

    ChrisH Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,273
    Location:
    Milton, wa
    has there been a resolution of this issue on the side cameras or are they still saying it is normal. I get the fogging and error message anytime it’s sunny on a moist day.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC