Water damage to battery due to half-assing LCI tails

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by scutts

I bought the LCI lights used off a member, and they are definitely OEM.

Were the foam gaskets still applied? That's quite a bit of water.

[scutts]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Were the foam gaskets still applied? That's quite a bit of water.

Foam gasket was still in tact. The SA said one of the bolt was loose and the water was entering into that opening.

[scutts]

Parts Quote

[scutts]

Ended up paying a bit shy of $1600. The moment I got back on the seat and hearing the cold start felt really, really good. It's so strange how I'm attached to this car. It's a kind of attachment completely different from the cars that I've owned before.

Anyways, I'm happy to be driving her again!

[LarThaL]

Bottom line is to realize that any time you mess with anything on your car, you run the risk of ruining the integrity even if it is just ever so slightly. Nothing is as good as when it was assembled the first time around

[scutts]

Agreed. Learned my lesson.

[AlanYoro35i]

I just got this problem. I installed the lights myself and bolted all bolts as tight as i can.

OP so did you keep the lights in the end? if so , what did you do to make sure it don't leak again?

[///M3AN]

ouch, my pre-LCI tail lights are looking much better now....

[briancl]

So just swapping LCI tails runs the risk of this? Does it leak because of a defect?

[scutts]

Originally Posted by Yoro35i

I just got this problem. I installed the lights myself and bolted all bolts as tight as i can.

OP so did you keep the lights in the end? if so , what did you do to make sure it don't leak again?

Is the damage done?? I hope you don't have to go through the same thing! I actually had the dealer tighten everything back and they also did a few tests - running water test over extended period of time and high-pressure water test. I also now check the compartment once in a while to make sure there is no leakage.

[AlanYoro35i]

Originally Posted by scutts

Is the damage done?? I hope you don't have to go through the same thing! I actually had the dealer tighten everything back and they also did a few tests - running water test over extended period of time and high-pressure water test. I also now check the compartment once in a while to make sure there is no leakage.

Thank you, i will do the same.

dealer said the cable might be corroded but they are not sure.

They said battery is fine so no damage, but did tell me that if it requires new cable, it will cost me 800-1000 pounds which equals to 1500 USD just to route a new cable....

They said the airbag fault is because the water making the voltage jump, i cleared the code before and the fault only pops back up under VERY heavy braking.

Out of interest, did they replace everything, battery, cable and other stuff in that compartment for the 1800 usd or they route a new cable only?

[scutts]

Wow, that's very expensive. Yes, same thing here, potentially corroded cable and battery that is shorting the circuit that's causing the code (since they were submerged in water...). To be on the safe side, dealer recommended I change battery and the cable. I ended up paying slightly less than $1600 USD.

Originally Posted by Yoro35i

Thank you, i will do the same.

dealer said the cable might be corroded but they are not sure.

They said battery is fine so no damage, but did tell me that if it requires new cable, it will cost me 800-1000 pounds which equals to 1500 USD just to route a new cable....

They said the airbag fault is because the water making the voltage jump, i cleared the code before and the fault only pops back up under VERY heavy braking.

Out of interest, did they replace everything, battery, cable and other stuff in that compartment for the 1800 usd or they route a new cable only?

[Tra08R]

My speakers all died out on me today as I was driving in te rain.

Sure enough it was water leaking down one of the screws on the left tail light.

[scutts]

Originally Posted by Tra08R

My speakers all died out on me today as I was driving in te rain.

Sure enough it was water leaking down one of the screws on the left tail light.

Ouch. Seriously. The electronics in the trunk isn't cool!

[Tra08R]

Originally Posted by scutts

Ouch. Seriously. The electronics in the trunk isn't cool!

So I am wondering if they just re fitted and tightened the bolts?

Appreciate the reply coz I don't want a burned amp or battery again.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by scutts

Ouch. Seriously. The electronics in the trunk isn't cool!

Has nothing to do with the car’s electronics and everything to do with shoddy workmanship when modding the LCI lights. All the factory cars with LCI lights don’t suffer any problems

[scutts]

Originally Posted by m3ray

Has nothing to do with the cars electronics and everything to do with shoddy workmanship when modding the LCI lights. All the factory cars with LCI lights dont suffer any problems

So you figure I don't know that huh? No offense but why would I even have started this thread?

[jeff@autocouture]

sorry to hear about this issue,
glad you got it taken care of though!

[mbox]

wow, will check the bolts on my install, and do a water test too....thanks for posting bro!

[TX_M3]

i had the same issue but on the other side where my audio amp sat. one of my screws got loose, allowing water to come in and build up. My amp got soaked, and blew my sound. cost me $1900 -_-. TIGHTEN ALL THE BOLTS DOWN!!!

[rokkuchan]

use locktite on all the bolts to prevent them from coming lose... That's what i plan to do. Thanks for all the info...

[Teeopi]

I've swapped my taillights many times never came up with this issue.