Water condensation in brake light and light flickers?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 2023 BMW 118D
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,000 MILES
I removed the tail light on a Maserati Ghibli because it had condensation. Used a heat gun to dy it and then left it in the sun. Placed clear silicone around the edges. Problem is before I even removed it is that when you hit the brake, the brake light on that side comes on for split second and goes off, and same if you repeat the process. Where it sits looks ok. Removed the connector and had a bit of corrosion on one pin, cleaned it but same results. Bulb looks ok to me. Could a bulb be faulty and do this?
Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 4:27 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,546 POSTS
Probably has a circuit board in it that corrosion got at and is causing a problem. Service info doesn't show the light breakdown but from what I can find it has both LED and conventional pieces inside and it would only take a bad LED to cause a problem.
It's basically an Italian badged Chrysler that is even low quality for that brand so expect problems.
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Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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The led part is fine but it has nothing to do with the brake light, the brake light it self is a bulb from what I can see. I didn't see any circuit board
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Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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HMM, They show logic involved. Could be a different option? OK might have found it, the lamps are controlled through the body module, they might have a current sensing system that shuts the lamp down if it's draws excess current. If the contacts were shorted by corrosion so it tried to turn on more than the single lamp that could be the issue.
You should have gotten a link in messaging to service info, it might help.
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Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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  • 179 POSTS
On the dash its will say brake light malfunction whenever I hit the brake. But the brake light on other side as well as the middle light work fine, must have to do with the condensation that happened. But I am trying to figure out whether a bulb could be bad if it only works sometimes or if it's the contacts. IF CONTACTS ARE BAD IT WOULD NOT EVEN LIGHT FOR A SEC, JUST STRANGE
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Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Well if it's a dual filament bulb they could be grounded internally, however if it was an open then it shouldn't light at all or only once then not again, as this is repeatable it almost has to be in the light or the wiring, Do both sides share the same wiring configuration and plug design? Might be able to swap sides and see if it follows.
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Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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I did not look at the other side. Ill check and see. Hopefully I wont burn the other side when trying to it on the bad side lol
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Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,546 POSTS
Did you get the message link to the service manual?
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Saturday, February 7th, 2026 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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  • 179 POSTS
Let me double dheck
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Sunday, February 8th, 2026 AT 4:49 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 179 POSTS
Removed the other side light. Bulb does same thing when inserted. Installed whole assembly into the bad side abd it works fine so its something inside the light I guess
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Sunday, February 8th, 2026 AT 6:53 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,546 POSTS
Moisture gets into things and can really hurt them. GM has an issue with headlights turning into swimming pools and taillights that get moisture in them and take down the vehicles CAN bus, but their solution is "ignore it".
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Sunday, February 8th, 2026 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 179 POSTS
Ya I am seeing water in every car out there now. Ridiculous and ridiculous quality parts they using
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Sunday, February 8th, 2026 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,546 POSTS
The entire industry seems to be sliding downhill and the companies are all smiles about it.
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Monday, February 9th, 2026 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 179 POSTS
I ordered another one, they aint chew too, used, $300. Cheap part quality, but ya I can see many plastics and switches that look like Chrysler, minus the engine and transmission. Even the fob is a Chrysler one
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Monday, February 9th, 2026 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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STEVE W. Is one of the best! Let us what what happens after you install the part.
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Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 AT 8:53 AM

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