Rear light condensation problem in a DB9
Discussion
Yeah I had this problem in my previous DB9 I had before my current one..... it drove me crazy.
The only way to truly get it all out is to remove the light unit and place it in a warm oven to separate the lens to the rear part and then place in a warm towel cupboard for a few weeks before resealing.
That's it.............so what I do to prevent it is to only drive the car when it's dry and to cover the rear lights when I wash it and no pressure washing.
If you have condensation in the front lights is to fit a air extraction kit, like what some V8V owners have done, but not available for the DB9.
The only way to truly get it all out is to remove the light unit and place it in a warm oven to separate the lens to the rear part and then place in a warm towel cupboard for a few weeks before resealing.
That's it.............so what I do to prevent it is to only drive the car when it's dry and to cover the rear lights when I wash it and no pressure washing.
If you have condensation in the front lights is to fit a air extraction kit, like what some V8V owners have done, but not available for the DB9.
Danny sorry to hear about that. Assuming you are out of warranty?
A very common problem. Any number of threads on this. Theres one in the FAQ's explaining how to do a DIY job.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If you don't fancy doing it yourself. Its new light/s at over £1,000 or get them professionally repaired.
Divinatech do a repair and upgrade so the lights are sequential. Not cheap at £1,150. https://www.divinatech.com/seq-lights.htm
I think I heard that McGurks do a repair service, may have imagined that. At one point Aston Installations were looking to move into light repairs.
A very common problem. Any number of threads on this. Theres one in the FAQ's explaining how to do a DIY job.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If you don't fancy doing it yourself. Its new light/s at over £1,000 or get them professionally repaired.
Divinatech do a repair and upgrade so the lights are sequential. Not cheap at £1,150. https://www.divinatech.com/seq-lights.htm
I think I heard that McGurks do a repair service, may have imagined that. At one point Aston Installations were looking to move into light repairs.
Danny from painful experience I know that drilling a hole in the back of the light isn't necessarily the fix. You can dry out the unit but it's likely the condensation will creep back. It did with mine. Lots of places it can get in and not just the obvious ones.
I went through two sets of lights, the originals and another set I bought used on e bay. Eventually bit the bullet and bought a new set from Aston. The dealer told me that Aston cured the problem on later lights. Four years later and no condensation.
I went through two sets of lights, the originals and another set I bought used on e bay. Eventually bit the bullet and bought a new set from Aston. The dealer told me that Aston cured the problem on later lights. Four years later and no condensation.
Please please please don’t drill the unit. It may solve the issue temporarily but in the long run it will make it worse and sooner or later the LED light bar in there will start to play up and then the repair is even more expensive...and, er, you’ve also got a hole in your light that needs filling (or you need a new lens!).
My V8V had the rear light condensation and had been drilled and when I fixed it I spoke to quite a few other folk, including the company I got new LED bar from (yes, mine failed...), they all said it is at best a temp fix and is most likely to make the eventual repair more expensive.
Secondhand units do come up on ebay but there is a high chance they will have the same fault or be drilled. I did manage to separate mine, replace the LED internals and reseal the unit (including filling the hole a previous owner / garage had drilled). A year on and, fingers crossed, it has been fine.
Or if you buy a new one (£ouch!) try and get a recent manufactured item as I believe (but dont know for sure) the newer ones are higher quality and less prone to the problem occurring.
My V8V had the rear light condensation and had been drilled and when I fixed it I spoke to quite a few other folk, including the company I got new LED bar from (yes, mine failed...), they all said it is at best a temp fix and is most likely to make the eventual repair more expensive.
Secondhand units do come up on ebay but there is a high chance they will have the same fault or be drilled. I did manage to separate mine, replace the LED internals and reseal the unit (including filling the hole a previous owner / garage had drilled). A year on and, fingers crossed, it has been fine.
Or if you buy a new one (£ouch!) try and get a recent manufactured item as I believe (but dont know for sure) the newer ones are higher quality and less prone to the problem occurring.
Thank you .. I’m thinking of selling the car and have a meet with dealer this week. I’ve had the car 4.5 years and no real problems except Astons price of servicing and parts plus the lay back attitude/arrogance to their customers problems .. love the car but wondering what costs to expect in the longer term. I don’t mind spending but hate being ripped off. Aston as a company very disappointing..
Hmmmm good luck with the price they offer but I fear you may be in for an unpleasant shock. Which is a bit odd as actually the prices secondhand of the VH cars seem to be holding up remarkably well under the circumstances. Perhaps they need to make more margin on their older stock and / or don't want older VH cars on the forecourt. Hope I'm wrong for your sake!
Danny Reynolds said:
Thank you .. I’m thinking of selling the car and have a meet with dealer this week. I’ve had the car 4.5 years and no real problems except Astons price of servicing and parts plus the lay back attitude/arrogance to their customers problems .. love the car but wondering what costs to expect in the longer term. I don’t mind spending but hate being ripped off. Aston as a company very disappointing..
Completely agree, I think AM think because you can afford to buy one they think you are loaded so don't mind paying thousands of pounds for their design/manufacturing faults.Front and rear light condensation, door and roof modules etc, simply unacceptable.
But.......considering everything they are great cars, all depends how much you love your car.
You can keep it in pristine condition and only bring it out when the weather is dry, or drive it anytime but accept that occasionally you will have problems.
Danny there are good dealers out there I'm sure but the Indys such as Bamford Rose, David Appleby and others only get business based on their service, not because they are an authorised dealer.
I have used David Appleby for years and they are exceptional. The workshop is like an operating theatre, they know the cars like the back of your hand and the hourly rate is about 50% of a main dealers.
If you enjoy the car but not the service or attitude, keep it and change the dealer.
I have used David Appleby for years and they are exceptional. The workshop is like an operating theatre, they know the cars like the back of your hand and the hourly rate is about 50% of a main dealers.
If you enjoy the car but not the service or attitude, keep it and change the dealer.
A "new" address on the AM light repairing scene:
https://www.eltechled.co.uk/
Well, perhaps not so new and maybe even experienced as I vaguely assume a connection with McGurk.
I have no personal connection or experience with this supplier.
https://www.eltechled.co.uk/
Well, perhaps not so new and maybe even experienced as I vaguely assume a connection with McGurk.
I have no personal connection or experience with this supplier.
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