Hey everyone...I recently purchased a 2000 Outback Limited...great car but the "running lights" on the rear hatch (just below the reverse lights) get filled with water after a rain, car wash, etc. When I open the hatch afterwards, water literally drains from the sockets that hold the bulbs. I haven't disassembled the hatch yet to suss out the problem. Before I do, any suggestions to remedy this? I've been told that it's a common problem on these cars.

Do a search here, its common. Usually the seals on the tail lights are tired and need to be repaired ( I dont know how off hand).

 

nipper

Same problem here on my '02 legacy. Annoying as hell getting a shower when opening the hatch. Let me know what works for ya

SO no one knows how to use the search?

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=84455&page=2&highlight=water+tail+lights

 

 

nipper

Hey everyone...I recently purchased a 2000 Outback Limited...great car but the "running lights" on the rear hatch (just below the reverse lights) get filled with water after a rain, car wash, etc. When I open the hatch afterwards, water literally drains from the sockets that hold the bulbs. I haven't disassembled the hatch yet to suss out the problem. Before I do, any suggestions to remedy this? I've been told that it's a common problem on these cars.

 

Yup a common problem from the dealer I worked at I seen this, what happens is the rear finishing lens needs to be replaced which is the whole unit there really is no other fix, you could try other methods but I assure you it will probably not hold for to lang man, so save yourself the hastle and just replace it okay.

Yup a common problem from the dealer I worked at I seen this, what happens is the rear finishing lens needs to be replaced which is the whole unit there really is no other fix, you could try other methods but I assure you it will probably not hold for to lang man, so save yourself the hastle and just replace it okay.

 

Completely bad advice, sorry!

 

I just repaired mine. Remove the housing. Clean/remove all the old seal. Clean the body around the contacting surfaces. I used 3/8" windowweld butyl sealant. Cost was $13 for a box that did 4+ tail lights. My daugthers were leaking as well. All dry now!!

I used 3/8" windowweld butyl sealant.

 

Sounds interesting, Qman. Tell us about it--where did you find it? Is windowweld the trade name? Is it self-adhesive? Is it channel shaped or round or flat?

 

Wonder if it would seal that red plastic watertank on the trunklid of my son's '92 Legacy sedan! :-\

Completely bad advice, sorry!

 

I just repaired mine. Remove the housing. Clean/remove all the old seal. Clean the body around the contacting surfaces. I used 3/8" windowweld butyl sealant. Cost was $13 for a box that did 4+ tail lights. My daugthers were leaking as well. All dry now!!

 

I can not say that what I said was bad advice man, hey I call the shots as I see it, its up to the person as what they want to do its not like they have to do this, not all repairs may work.