Last weekend I installed AP2 tail lights on my 02. Today I washed my car for the first time and water ended up in the tail light. I pulled the light out and noticed 2 holes in the brand new gasket. The holes were near the reverse light. Is this where water came in or could it have came in somewhere around the edges of the housing? Any suggestions on how to remedy the situation? Thanks.

 

That is most likely where the water came in. When I had my 03, I did the AP2 tail light conversion. After a couple months, one of them started fogging up and I noticed water at the bottom of it. What happened was, where I did some of the cutting, some of that metal was bent, so it wasn't a perfect seal. Sealed that spot up with some black silicone and that fixed it.

Do you know how the holes were caused? Possibly from burrs from cutting?

 

 

Take tape and seal off the back of each assembly as well. Considering it is a custom job, water will most likly get past the gasket and go into the tail lights through those holes.

 

Yeah I do. Part of the metal frame indents out. If you have an Ap1 you'll see. Around the edges of the holes there is some metal that sticks out maybe a couple of millimeters. Ill have to grind it down so that the housing if flush.
What sucks now is that there are water spots on the inside of the housing. Lovely. Thanks for the input.

 

What kind of tape you do suggest?

 

Also what areas am I taping?

 

So Monday I did some more grinding to the metal that stuck out. Its flat now. Then I added silicone to the edges where the gasket and the housing meet. It rained here last night and when I woke up to check the lights.....there was no moisture inside it. Now I hope the same is true when I wash the car soon.

 

good luck man! im doing this soon!

 

back from the dead, but hey, i used search.

how did you get the moisture out of the tail light?

i have the whole thing pulled and can see that the water came in cause there is no gasket on the rear tail light. i have the gasket, but before i can reassemble (and presumably seal it) i have to get the existing water out.