Forester 2018 3011DS rear marker lights

[Hailey]

see attachment

Last fall I posted that I almost failed inspection because my rear marker lights were working but not well. I passed the inspection and went shopping over the next few months (I was parked in a Florida CG for 4 1/2 months). I found that the C.W. and other dealers were getting almost $30 per light fixture and the five assemblies almost $200 if I installed them.
I also learned a bit about the marker lights and Forest River on my unit used assemblies that are NOT sealed from outside moisture and also there is a possibility of installing them wrong and a tiny drain hole in the lens could be installed with the hole pointed up allowing water in. On my unit two of the five rear marker lights were installed upside down and the one in the picture was the worst and you can see the circuit board was in very bad shape. You can also see on the red lens the 1/4" long slot on the right side, that is the drain hole and opposite side the rust stain where the water pooled.
Even the ones installed with the drain hole pointed down had some dust and road grime inside the lens. The lens and the base assembly both have the word "top" embossed in the plastic but it's hard to see. I guess Murphy's Law caught up with me.
I finally found a replacement assembly that is hermetically sealed and has an almost identical footprint. I installed them in about an hour and also went a bit overboard by caulking the back side around the wires and around the outside to keep any possible moisture out. I had to drill new holes for the mounting screws, and I used stainless screws.
I don't have the name of the company that made them, but I found them on Amazon and sold by RecPro.com.

 

[Mr Brian]

Ugh! Thanks for sharing. We likely won’t be the only people taking a closer look at our rear marker lights in the days ahead.

Mr. Brian

 

[OkayJim]

Do you know the brand? My 2019 Sunseeker 2350LE has similar marker lights. I tried taking them off today, two screws out, but I cannot pull the assembly away from sidewall. I am afraid to pull hard, I would think there is nothing inside but wires, but surely they are not so short as to not pull out for service. I was going to replace them with Furrion side markers with cameras but will leave them alone of I can't get them loose.

 

[MNtraveler]

" I tried taking them off today, two screws out, but I cannot pull the assembly away from sidewall. I am afraid to pull hard, I would think there is nothing inside but wires, but surely they are not so short as to not pull out for service."

The reason you can't pull them away from the sidewalk is because they are caulked in place. Try to gently remove the caulk from the junction and see if that helps.

 

[Rittersrv]

 

[Rittersrv]

Don’t forget the front lights, while my roof was being inspected discovered the center three clearance lights were missing their covers. They have been that way since I bought it new in 2023. I just thought that was the way they were supposed to be… wrong. Covers are now installed. 2023 Forester 2441DSF. I circled the affected lights in the picture above.

 

[Larry-NC]

see attachment

Last fall I posted that I almost failed inspection because my rear marker lights were working but not well. I passed the inspection and went shopping over the next few months (I was parked in a Florida CG for 4 1/2 months). I found that the C.W. and other dealers were getting almost $30 per light fixture and the five assemblies almost $200 if I installed them.
I also learned a bit about the marker lights and Forest River on my unit used assemblies that are NOT sealed from outside moisture and also there is a possibility of installing them wrong and a tiny drain hole in the lens could be installed with the hole pointed up allowing water in. On my unit two of the five rear marker lights were installed upside down and the one in the picture was the worst and you can see the circuit board was in very bad shape. You can also see on the red lens the 1/4" long slot on the right side, that is the drain hole and opposite side the rust stain where the water pooled.
Even the ones installed with the drain hole pointed down had some dust and road grime inside the lens. The lens and the base assembly both have the word "top" embossed in the plastic but it's hard to see. I guess Murphy's Law caught up with me.
I finally found a replacement assembly that is hermetically sealed and has an almost identical footprint. I installed them in about an hour and also went a bit overboard by caulking the back side around the wires and around the outside to keep any possible moisture out. I had to drill new holes for the mounting screws, and I used stainless screws.
I don't have the name of the company that made them, but I found them on Amazon and sold by RecPro.com.

Butyl tape is not adhesive. It's a form of flexible, sticky putty, typically supplied in a roll of 18" thick, 1" wide "tape." It's often used behind marker lights because it conforms to curved or fluted surfaces as the fixture is tightened down.

 

[karykatz]

MN traveler is correct. there should be some sealant holding the light. i would try scoring the seal with a Stanley knife and see if it comes loose.

 

[Larry-NC]

Butyl tape is not adhesive. It's a form of flexible, sticky putty, typically supplied in a roll of 1/8" thick, 1" wide "tape." It's often used behind marker lights because it conforms to curved or fluted surfaces as the fixture is tightened down.

Added a "/" symbol for the tape thickness.