Corroded light connections

[jillie]

When we brought our new coach home to PA this spring, we stopped to get it inspected. In hindsight, we should have checked all the lights before it went into the shop. Cost us over $100 to get a back up light fixed: that's one hour labor for cleaning the corrosion from the connections and installing the new bulb (they didn't charge for the bulb).

Found some standing water behind one lens after a thunderstorm. Cleaned and dried the light assembly, and checked the rubber gasket. Haven't gone the silicone route yet because it'll be a dickens getting the recessed lens off when I need to change the bulb again.

Now we have a brake light in the same condition. I checked the back up light and it's corroded again. Didn't check the other two lights but my guess is that they're also corroded. Contacted Newmar and they said it would be covered under our warranty. Am sending Newmar photos.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[Cougarkid]

I think this is common on all rv's and vehicles in general.

Make sure the lense gaskets are in good shape. If not, replace or make a "new" gasket with Silicone (or add silicone to the old gasket).

With the Silicone, run a smooth bead for the gasket and let it set-up and cure before re-installing the lense. Curing time should be on the package.

Also make sure it is not leaking from the back side of the housing.

Lastly, get some dialectric grease from the parts store. This is for bulb connections. The new cars have this stuff on all their bulb connections. It is a grease that keeps the moisture out of the connections and makes for a good contact. It is messy when you change bulbs, but worth it in the end. It comes in little packages, like catsup at the fast-food places.

BTW, if your vehicle doesn't pass inspection, YOU can fix the issues. Does not have to be done by the shop. That is, if you are comforable with doing the repair.

Good Luck!

[justimagination]

.........Like OP stated, be sure and lube all connections. NAPA has a small tub of Lithium Grease, which comes just like a tub of butter. Very good stuff, just dip the contact end lightly in the tub, WALA your done. Very good preventive $$$$$ maintenance. Good luck, happy motoring.
david G.

[jillie]

Originally Posted by Cougarkid

I think this is common on all rv's and vehicles in general.

Make sure the lense gaskets are in good shape. If not, replace or make a "new" gasket with Silicone (or add silicone to the old gasket).

With the Silicone, run a smooth bead for the gasket and let it set-up and cure before re-installing the lense. Curing time should be on the package.

Also make sure it is not leaking from the back side of the housing.

Lastly, get some dialectric grease from the parts store. This is for bulb connections. The new cars have this stuff on all their bulb connections. It is a grease that keeps the moisture out of the connections and makes for a good contact. It is messy when you change bulbs, but worth it in the end. It comes in little packages, like catsup at the fast-food places.

BTW, if your vehicle doesn't pass inspection, YOU can fix the issues. Does not have to be done by the shop. That is, if you are comforable with doing the repair.

Good Luck!

I think it is leaking from the back side of the housing. No water inside the brake light lens. Might try the silicone if I'm feeling lucky.

The dialectric grease is a good idea. We have some for the tow connection that we could try.

Unfortunately, the shop went ahead and fixed the light before they mentioned it. Next time we'll be sure to tell them to ask us before they repair anything. Live and learn.