2010-2014 Mustang Information on The S197 {GenII}

Anatomy of the 2013 tail light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 3, 2018 | 10:56 PM
  #1  
Waco5.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: September 3, 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
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.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2018 | 08:30 AM
  #2  
awoychosky123's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: August 22, 2014
Posts: 545
Likes: 47
From: Vermont
I had a crack in one of my lenses that let a lot of water in, The leds worked just fine but looked dimmer where the water was covering it.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2018 | 09:28 AM
  #3  
P0 Corsa's Avatar
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: March 24, 2011
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
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?
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2018 | 11:39 AM
  #4  
Gabe's Avatar
Legacy TMS Member
 
Joined: August 7, 2011
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 567
From: NC
Probably eBay
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2018 | 02:11 PM
  #5  
Waco5.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: September 3, 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by P0 Corsa
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?
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!
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2018 | 06:33 AM
  #6  
P0 Corsa's Avatar
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: March 24, 2011
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Midwest
Thanks for the advice Waco 5.0.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2018 | 01:37 PM
  #7  
Waco5.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: September 3, 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Anytime bro
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2018 | 06:44 PM
  #8  
Siber Express's Avatar
Legacy TMS Member
 
Joined: May 19, 2010
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 567
From: Clinton TN
Originally Posted by Waco5.0
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!
The 13-14 cannot be sold with anything but the LED's, the 10-12 have replaceable LED's so those might be the ones you were thinking about.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2018 | 08:25 PM
  #9  
Waco5.0's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: September 3, 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Siber Express
The 13-14 cannot be sold with anything but the LED's, the 10-12 have replaceable LED's so those might be the ones you were thinking about.
Here's what I'm talking about...
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
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2018 | 08:50 PM
  #10  
TheReaper's Avatar
Cobra Member
 
Joined: August 27, 2007
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 26
From: Southern Al
Originally Posted by Waco5.0
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.
Ford remans these lights, check with a Dealer.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2018 | 09:39 PM
  #11  
VIP1's Avatar
GT Member
 
Joined: June 11, 2014
Posts: 184
Likes: 9
From: Eastern, MA
That listing is probably wrong. Even it it wasn't LED, it would be Incandescent, not Halogen. You wont find Halogen bulbs in any taillight, side-marker, or turn signal. The only place that is a possibility is a retrofit in some reverse lights, but not on a 2013-2014 since its all LED.

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; Sep 8, 2018 at 09:51 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2018 | 07:12 AM
  #12  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: July 27, 2010
Posts: 670
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville, FL
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.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2018 | 08:54 AM
  #13  
RedSkulker's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: July 13, 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Laguna Hills CA
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.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2018 | 02:30 PM
  #14  
VIP1's Avatar
GT Member
 
Joined: June 11, 2014
Posts: 184
Likes: 9
From: Eastern, MA
Originally Posted by RedSkulker
Can't see why the LED craze is taking over the automotive lighting systems with that sort of cost involved.
Improved lighting for us, increased profits for them.

Originally Posted by RedSkulker
Whatever happened to light bulbs?
I'd love to see standardized replacement LED for headlights and taillights agreed by OEMs and lighting companies. So we can have improved lighting but still have a relatively inexpensive component to replace instead an expensive paperweight when things start failing in 10yrs.

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; Sep 12, 2018 at 02:41 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mrnickelus
05-09 Exterior Modifications
23
Nov 25, 2012 05:49 PM
ThePhenom720
2005-2009 Mustang
1
Oct 27, 2012 07:12 AM
AKnott
2005-2009 Mustang
6
Apr 21, 2011 07:49 AM




All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:47 AM.