How to fix my backlights

Asked by FKNSlippy Oct 12, 2015 at 01:31 PM about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So my poor little car was in a accident during a bad rainstorm, and since then
all the backlights are out. I had just replaced the lights a few days ago. I
checked the lights last night and they were filled with at least 3+inches of
water inside. I'm still relatively new to working on cars so any simple step by
step help in how to fix them would be appreciated.

1 Answer

18,255

Did you replace them with new ones or used ones? The tailight assemblies on these cars are notorious for leaking due to the seal between the lense and the housing failing. They are virtually impossible to seal up again without making a huge mess. I speak from experience. I would suggest taking the light assemblies out again and drilling a couple of good sized drain holes in the bottoms to let the water out. It won't stop them from leaking, but the water will simply pass through and not collect inside. It's getting to be a pretty old car so even though the "fix" is a bit crude it should do the trick for the balance of the car's life.

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