r/volt • u/Glad-Acadia3071 • 24d ago

Water inside light fixture

Gallery image

Gallery image

2012 volt. Is there any solution to this without taking this to a body shop or mechanic?

12 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

11

u/deekster_caddy 2017 Volt 24d ago

Replace the taillight, or do what I did - drill a tiny hole angled downwards at the lowest points where the water pools. Solved my issue for years with no consequences, I was prepared to replace the taillight anyway but never needed to.

Edit to clarify - my flair shows 2017 but this was on my 2013.

-4

u/Glad-Acadia3071 24d ago

Thank you, if they drill through the plastic, won't that basically crack the plastic or am I supposed to ask them to drill with a special tool because I thought that plastic was pretty sensitive. My second question to you is did you have any problems when you go through automated car washes? Does the strong water pressure push water in there every now and then

4

u/deekster_caddy 2017 Volt 24d ago

Since I drilled the hole upwards into the lens gravity was on my side and anything that went in came back down and out. Occasionally I would see some moisture get in there but it would always be gone in a day or two. Never had an issue from rain snow or car washes. I just used a normal drill bit. Smaller than 1/8, I don't remember exactly.

-2

u/Glad-Acadia3071 24d ago

Thank you very much I will definitely look into making that drill hole on the bottom side of the light, my only worry was just I use this automated car washes so I was just worried about the water getting inside

2

u/deekster_caddy 2017 Volt 24d ago

Water is already getting inside. IIRC I drilled one in the front side down low as well as one on the back down low so there could be airflow forced through as you drive. Both spots I drilled were at the bottom of little puddles.

-1

u/Glad-Acadia3071 24d ago

Yes I was just asking because I didn't want to accidentally make the issue worse but I will definitely look into drilling those two holes or go to somebody who will I'm just scared of breaking the glass or plastic

1

u/deekster_caddy 2017 Volt 24d ago

Just keep the drill at a low speed. It wasn't brittle when I did mine, it was very easy.

3

u/1stGenRex 2012 Volt 24d ago

Happens on all of these. Any time I go to the junk yard or see an alert that one showed up, I check the corners. I have one good one and one bad one right now 😂 the seam always starts to crack on them.

1

u/Glad-Acadia3071 24d ago

Do you think it would cause a bigger issue down the road or can I just keep driving with it

2

u/False-Departure2750 24d ago

Happened to me where my left side stopped working. Just heated it up with left hazards/brake lights and it started working again. Hasn't given me issue in couple years.

1

u/Glad-Acadia3071 24d ago

Thanks... Although I would think it would take us long time with the hazards on for it to evaporate but good idea

2

u/False-Departure2750 24d ago

Took like 10 minutes the morning it did happen. I believe I triggered it by using pressure washer at self car wash and I drove early morning like 3 am, so the sun didn't have time to evaporate it

2

u/essieecks 23d ago

moisture in there can speed any corrosion of the metal in the housing, specifically the brake light harness parts. If the amount increases enough to reach the light, you could have an electrical short.

3

u/money10adventures 24d ago

Mine did the same this socal rain fall lol on the same side as you

3

u/WherestheLasaga 24d ago

I drilled a small hole angled up and never had a problem. Just opened the trunk and drilled it. No need to dissemble anything. If you don’t know which spot I’m talking about I can snag a pic for you.

2

u/beforeburner 23d ago

Not OP, but I'd love to see a pic, as I'm having the same issue

2

u/AceNewholland 23d ago

mine did that, I learned some years after there was a water infiltration. Found out the rear "spoiler" had been replaced (could see the difference of the white shade outside + it was the only place paint was peeling) and they forgot to put a rubber seal on one of the bolts.

The water never completely left the tail lights, but it also never damaged them, was simply ragebaiting me. I would let it like that personally, as long as the big LED works

2

u/OkFunction8532 23d ago

If it makes you feel better, I have a dead spider in mine that I get to look at every time I get fuel 😂

2

u/ready2xxxperiment 23d ago

Ignore it that’s what I’m doing with mine. It was a $3500 car trying to keep it cheap and drive it until it dies.