light assemblies ventilated to prevent condensation?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
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2006 E320 CDI
light assemblies ventilated to prevent condensation?
A truck backed up into my E320 CDI when it was parked and cracked the top part of the rear left tail light (in addition to damaging part of the sheet metal). I've been driving it as is while trying to decide if I want to get aftermarket led tail lights.
The other day, I started the car and got out to put something in the trunk. I noticed that air was coming out of the crack. It was very noticeable. Are the tail lights (and other lights) designed this way so there is some type of active air flow that prevents condensation build-up?
Is there a hose connecting the tail light unit to some kind of fan in the engine?
If so, I wonder if after market tail lights are designed to take this into account?
The other day, I started the car and got out to put something in the trunk. I noticed that air was coming out of the crack. It was very noticeable. Are the tail lights (and other lights) designed this way so there is some type of active air flow that prevents condensation build-up?
Is there a hose connecting the tail light unit to some kind of fan in the engine?
If so, I wonder if after market tail lights are designed to take this into account?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
The most logical explanation is that the A/C system is pressurizing the cabin & leaking thru to the trunk, then leaking thru the taillight. Open a window or a door & see if the air stops coming thru the light. (or the space around the light)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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2006 E320 CDI
You are right! I just tried that. Sure enough, when you open a door, there is no more air coming out of the crack in the tail light. That's a pretty cool design. I guess the seals around the tail light (and other lights) are pretty tight.
