General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Tail light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 07:07 PM
  #1  
blackbirdls1's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 682
Likes: 4
From: Oviedo, FL
Default Tail light

As you can see in the picture the right tail light seems to be darker than the left? How can I fix this, is it dirty inside? Should I just buy a replacement tail light (whole piece) ?

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f5...01Formula2.jpg
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:13 PM
  #2  
toecutter_tx's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default

I have the exact same problem.
I took the taillight out this weekend to see whats going on.
Looks like the silver coating on the back side of the lens turned black due to water/condensation. I was unable to rub the discoloration off thru the bulb holes. It looks like your reverse light also has water in it as did mine.
Maybe with a heat gun its possible to split the lens and paint the inside with a chrome paint.
Has anyone ever opened one of these up?
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:19 PM
  #3  
JDP's Avatar
JDP
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Allen Park, MI
Default

i posted this same problem in the appearance section and the only thing is to replace them, and i cant figure out how to prevent this from happening and it seems like mine is starting to get worse day by day
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:20 PM
  #4  
Sean@Speedsouth's Avatar
FormerVendor
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: On the line
Default

This is a common problem, a friend of mine took his to the dealership and they replaced it for no charge. I have a dark tail-light if you would rather purchase that from me and have both match..lol
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:21 PM
  #5  
toecutter_tx's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default

When replacing them you may want to put some silicone along the edge where the two halfs meet.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:22 PM
  #6  
blackbirdls1's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 682
Likes: 4
From: Oviedo, FL
Default

lol, well I have a transferable warranty on the car, because I bought it from someone, not a dealer, so if I can't find a solution to this, then I will see if anything can be done, I'm willing to buy another tail light that matches the one on the left.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:29 PM
  #7  
toecutter_tx's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default

Should be easy to find a good one in good shape as they are the same in all firebirds 98 and up.
The only time it really bothered me is when the inspection guy told me the lamp was out. After closer inspection he realized it was not and passed me.
The Big PITA is the sockets on the DRL burning out due to water getting in them.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 11:04 PM
  #8  
MJK's Avatar
MJK
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 1
From: Texas...
Default

Looks like its a pretty common problem...My brother and I noticed it on his 99' Firehawk and were worried that the light had been replaced (as in a accident).

Now I noticed that his 98' TA also has the same problem.Both of them have the passenger side tail as the darker one...The 98' did have the passenger tail replaced with a used part because of an accident..Never noticed the darker light until the work had already been done.....
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:47 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE