Massive dust build up inside license plate light housings

[XswampX]

I replaced the factory bulbs with LED, one side only lasted a short time before flickering. Just went to replace both bulbs and found massive dust build up inside both housings. I have done a few good desert trips. Seals are in good condition and appeared to be properly installed. I must be missing something... Any ideas or suggestions? Cheers.

 

[Saker]

I replaced the factory bulbs with LED, one side only lasted a short time before flickering. Just went to replace both bulbs and found massive dust build up inside both housings. I have done a few good desert trips. Seals are in good condition and appeared to be properly installed. I must be missing something... Any ideas or suggestions? Cheers.

I may be way off here, but I think the dust is entering past the glass rubber seal at your rear hatch door. I don't think they are designed to keep or can keep all the dust out..... I have the same issue.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Either the seals on those lights isn't installed correctly or it's coming down the window like Saker said

 

[XswampX]

I may be way off here, but I think the dust is entering past the glass rubber seal at your rear hatch door. I don't think they are designed to keep or can keep all the dust out..... I have the same issue.

Any ideas for a fix?

 

[XswampX]

Either the seals on those lights isn't installed correctly or it's coming down the window like Saker said

Almost for sure not this ^. There is no sealing going on anywhere between the large plastic 4RUNNER "logo holder" part and the assembled bulb housing.

Here is the problem. The rubber seal design is totally ineffective for dust. The seal is between the clear lens and white plastic housing. There are large air gap slots between the rubber seal and both plastic parts. Purposefully, these do not compress and close when tightening the screws. I guess they are for moisture drainage. With the turbulent/recirculating flow behind a vehicle light dust easily finds its way through these fairly large slot openings and is trapped in the housing. Its like Toyota never tested these fixtures in the dust...

 

[jrandom]

Not that I don't agree that it is an issue, hardly anything on the car is rated against ingress, why would they make the lights?

I think what erks me the most is the amount of dust that collects inside the rear hatch. That rear fairing creates an epic dust vortex.

 

[teotwaki]

Dust buildup in those lights was a problem in my 4th Gen and now my 5th Gen because they use the same exact housing design. I too converted to LEDs on my 5th Gen so without the heat buildup of filament bulbs I am considering sealing the housing gasket with clear RTV.

 

[ScarfaceT4R]

Dust buildup in those lights was a problem in my 4th Gen and now my 5th Gen because they use the same exact housing design. I too converted to LEDs on my 5th Gen so without the heat buildup of filament bulbs I am considering sealing the housing gasket with clear RTV.

Same dust issue here as well. Also considering a light bead of silicone around the rubber. I want those rear license plate led's to shine bright with a nice clear lense - not going to happen with a fat layer of dust build-up.

 

[Saker]

Almost for sure not this ^. There is no sealing going on anywhere between the large plastic 4RUNNER "logo holder" part and the assembled bulb housing.

Here is the problem. The rubber seal design is totally ineffective for dust. The seal is between the clear lens and white plastic housing. There are large air gap slots between the rubber seal and both plastic parts. Purposefully, these do not compress and close when tightening the screws. I guess they are for moisture drainage. With the turbulent/recirculating flow behind a vehicle light dust easily finds its way through these fairly large slot openings and is trapped in the housing. Its like Toyota never tested these fixtures in the dust...

Ok, I re-read what you originally wrote and this post.
there are 2 issues. The one I addressed and the one you are asking about!

I answered the wrong question......... :noidea:

So, I did the same as [MENTION=6100]teotwaki[/MENTION] with LEDs and the solution should be good with possible sealing with silicone as [MENTION=168890]ScarfaceT4R[/MENTION] has mentioned.

I would clean everything up, change to LEDs and seal!


Let us know how this turns out!