Dim Rear Sidelight

[Puffster]

So last winter I noticed one o/s tail light was out and it transpired that was because the front sidelight (white not orange) blown. Replace bulbs and tail light worked again.

So this evening I noticed that o/s tail light was dim - like 30% normal brightness. Checking ALL other lights and everything seems ok, so anyone any idea's what's the cause here please?

It was fine yesterday but I spent 45 mins with the car in the air and the boot open (= lights on) this PM whilst getting 2 new tyres fitted. Anything related?

[Puffster]

Guess its not something that anyone else has experienced.

So the light has sometimes been bright but also sometimes dim. Its been getting progressively worse so most of the time now its not visible (in the dark), which is a bit of a concern obviously.

Looking at the lens, there's a slight crack in it, so can only presume that water has got in and is affecting the circuitboard.

I have a new unit on its way, let's hope that fixes it.

[GrahamBrown1]

If it was a standard bulb rear light you’d say it had a bad earth. You mention circuit board sp I assume it has LED rear lights in which case it only takes a dry joint or a slight bit of corrosion on it to cause a fault. I would say your new unit will sort it out.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Puffster

Guess its not something that anyone else has experienced.

So the light has sometimes been bright but also sometimes dim. Its been getting progressively worse so most of the time now its not visible (in the dark), which is a bit of a concern obviously.

Looking at the lens, there's a slight crack in it, so can only presume that water has got in and is affecting the circuitboard.

I have a new unit on its way, let's hope that fixes it.

oh yes, and water ingress or any crack whatsoever is the death of an expensive LED light unit.

[Puffster]

I purchased a new "pattern" rear light off eBay, went to take off the old one only to find that its secured to the car by the bumper hanger trim. So that meant removing the rear bumper and then the bumper hanger, a bit of a faff but easy enough to do. Remove the trim on the inside and swap out the light, all back on and it works perfectly

As a bonus, when I took the bumper off, noticed that one of the wires for a parking sensor had been cut through. Looking at how tight the loom was at this point, I can presume that it just wore through over time. It would also explain why the system had been intermittent the past couple of months. Quickly spliced in a new bit of wire and it's now working fine again.