XSeries-forum

Hi all

Having problem with a inner taillight led not working.
Don’t want to replace till I find the cause. Is it due to the water leak/ seal failure. As on a number of occasions had water drip from the tail gate lock.
I was also wondering if the water was penetrating from the bmw roundel logo on boot as there seems to be a gap between bodywork and the roundel and is not stuck on flush properly.
Any help would be most appreciated

Hello,

Many of the earlier E70s suffered from water ingress to the tail lights mounted on the rear door. The problem seemed to be a gasket that broke down allowing water in which corroded the LED contacts.  Replacements and later cars have a gasket made of a different material that is supposed to be water-tight.

My car is now 10 years old and had this problem about 6 years ago.  Checking each unit showed quite a bit of water collected in them.  I drilled 3mm holes carefully in the side at each corner and that allowed the water to drain out.  After about another year the right side unit failed. It is impossible to repair the LED so I had to have new units. I had both done at the same time  Each was close to a hundred pounds and the body shop facility of my local main dealer fitted them in a few minutes - bill £200 inc VAT.  So far no problems, touch wood!

Graeme

One of mine failed, so I assumed it had the old sealant-type gasket on both lights. I ordered a replacement cluster and a new style gasket for the other, working side - I did this before I actually took the old lights out for a look. When I got the non-working light out I saw it already had the new style gasket, but still had obvious water ingress. The other working light also had the new gasket, and had water sloshing inside.

So, I don’t think the new style gasket makes the lights immune to water problems. At least, it hasn’t on mine.

My x5 is a 2012 model so assumed it had new style gasket may have to bite the bullet check both lights and restock bmw roundel to make sure no further water ingress

I recently had the same issue the seal around the light was all crusty and cracked. They are easy enough to replace, there are some YouTube guides out there and I got the light from car parts 4 less it was £60ish with one of their discount codes at the time