Anatomy of the 2013 tail light
#1
Anatomy of the 2013 tail light
Weird question... are the led's in the tail light sealed behind the outer lens?
Reason I ask is my car was caught in a hail storm and now I have a hole in each tail light at the bottom of the reverse light in the black. If water was to get in will the lights themselves be ok?
I'm working on getting new ones but they are so freakin' expensive.
Reason I ask is my car was caught in a hail storm and now I have a hole in each tail light at the bottom of the reverse light in the black. If water was to get in will the lights themselves be ok?
I'm working on getting new ones but they are so freakin' expensive.
#3
Bullitt Member
I recently broke the outer red lens cover to my 2014 taillight and can offer a comment. With the red lens fully removed the 3 light LED "package" is retained in the taillight assembly with 4 screws. The LED package is exposed and is not sealed in any way. Integrated circuits and electronic components are on exposed circuit boards behind each of the 3 LED lights. Thus I would say that if a significant amount of water did get into the taillight it would definitely cause electrical problems with the circuit boards which are unprotected. Also the electronic components on these boards are loaded to the bottom of the light thus making them more susceptible to a rising water level in the lens.
As I have to replace my unit as well and knowing these lamp assemblies are expensive, where is the best place to purchase a replacement?
As I have to replace my unit as well and knowing these lamp assemblies are expensive, where is the best place to purchase a replacement?
#4
Legacy TMS Member
Probably eBay
#5
I recently broke the outer red lens cover to my 2014 taillight and can offer a comment. With the red lens fully removed the 3 light LED "package" is retained in the taillight assembly with 4 screws. The LED package is exposed and is not sealed in any way. Integrated circuits and electronic components are on exposed circuit boards behind each of the 3 LED lights. Thus I would say that if a significant amount of water did get into the taillight it would definitely cause electrical problems with the circuit boards which are unprotected. Also the electronic components on these boards are loaded to the bottom of the light thus making them more susceptible to a rising water level in the lens.
As I have to replace my unit as well and knowing these lamp assemblies are expensive, where is the best place to purchase a replacement?
As I have to replace my unit as well and knowing these lamp assemblies are expensive, where is the best place to purchase a replacement?
I used to work for Latemodel Restoration so I get everything from there since it's right down the road. I'm playing it safe and saving to get the OEM replacements from them so theres no question what I'm getting.
Right now I put some electrical tape over the holes and honestly you can barely tell it's there 🤣 but it keeps the water out for now!
#8
Legacy TMS Member
I have heard to be careful on Ebay because some are trying to sell these lights with halogens instead of the led's(correct me if I'm wrong). Also some may be sold with faulty LEDs so be careful there.
I used to work for Latemodel Restoration so I get everything from there since it's right down the road. I'm playing it safe and saving to get the OEM replacements from them so theres no question what I'm getting.
Right now I put some electrical tape over the holes and honestly you can barely tell it's there 🤣 but it keeps the water out for now!
I used to work for Latemodel Restoration so I get everything from there since it's right down the road. I'm playing it safe and saving to get the OEM replacements from them so theres no question what I'm getting.
Right now I put some electrical tape over the holes and honestly you can barely tell it's there 🤣 but it keeps the water out for now!
#9
https://www.carparts.com/details/Ford/Mustang/Replacement/Tail_Light/2013/GT/8_Cyl_5-dot-0/REPF730192.html?TID=gglpla&origin=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQ jw5s3cBRCAARIsAB8ZjU052reE29NflQiPXSmlpGDiZXkmBwJI mvodH2vKyMKbV7ybs-toJX4aAqYuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
#10
Cobra Member
Weird question... are the led's in the tail light sealed behind the outer lens?
Reason I ask is my car was caught in a hail storm and now I have a hole in each tail light at the bottom of the reverse light in the black. If water was to get in will the lights themselves be ok?
I'm working on getting new ones but they are so freakin' expensive.
Reason I ask is my car was caught in a hail storm and now I have a hole in each tail light at the bottom of the reverse light in the black. If water was to get in will the lights themselves be ok?
I'm working on getting new ones but they are so freakin' expensive.
#11
GT Member
If possible, Contact the seller to verify. However, looking at the back of those, I don't see any way to change bulbs which increases the chance that the listing is wrong (or the pics are wrong).
If you want to change up the appearance, here are two options that borrow style from Ford GT (and some other cars like Ferrari):
https://www.americanmuscle.com/raxio...ghts-1314.html
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/13...il-lights.html
I'm tempted to try this new style.
Last edited by VIP1; 9/8/18 at 09:51 PM.
#12
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: July 27, 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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I've seen those "ring" tail lights on a local S550 model and to me they look ricey with the rotating ring animation replacing the inside-to-outside sequential turn signal... almost like something you would see on an Altima with dozens of decals on it for products that obviously aren't installed.
#13
Member
Holy Carp!!!
1,100 Bucks for a single tail light assembly?? (OEM)
Whatever happened to light bulbs? Can't see why the LED craze is taking over the automotive lighting systems with that sort of cost involved.
1,100 Bucks for a single tail light assembly?? (OEM)
Whatever happened to light bulbs? Can't see why the LED craze is taking over the automotive lighting systems with that sort of cost involved.
#14
GT Member
Originally Posted by RedSkulker
Can't see why the LED craze is taking over the automotive lighting systems with that sort of cost involved.
Originally Posted by RedSkulker
Whatever happened to light bulbs?
There are aftermarket drop-in replacements to work in place of original bulbs in places with varied success, but that is a separate topic.
Last edited by VIP1; 9/12/18 at 02:41 PM.
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