Hey, I have a 2000 C5. The front left running light housing allows water to leak in at times which results in the bulb popping. I have had it swapped out a few times, but am sick of spending the time and money to get that done. It seems as though the light rotates up and back, but I am not sure what to do from there. I know that it isn't too difficult because it has been opened in seconds before. Can anyone help me?

Thanks,
Steve

 

1st, I would suggest getting a new housing so you don't have to keep changing the bulb ---

2nd, there is a push tab on the socket. You squeeze it and turn 1/4 turn, counter clockwise.

 

Thanks, but I am having a hard time getting at the socket itself...not sujre what to do...

 

Roll the car up on some ramps (gray Rhino ramps is what I used)

Remove the access panel with the vents (I think there are about 3 - 7mm screws). It's near the corner, between the front wheel and nose.

You should be able to see the corner lights.

Reach in and follow reply #2.

That's about it.

Oh yeah -- try not to touch the glass part of the bulbs --- your hands (even when clean) leave oil on the glass which heats up and can cause the bulb to blow out.

 

thanks alot, I will give it a try.

 

No prob --- it seems complicated at first, but give it a try. If you run into any hurdles, just come back and ask.

And please make sure you chock you wheels, set your e-brake and/or leave it in gear.

Safety first.

 

My C5 is a 2001 model and I can change that bulb by simply moving the brake air duct out of the way and reaching into the opening, give the bulb a quarter turn away from you and it will come out the duct. Check out the pictures:

Here's the opening you'll be going through (and pay no attention to my dirty car, it's being worked on!).



Move the air duct DOWN so that it is below the opening. Now here's the tricky part. If your hand is small enough (it's a tight fit for me), you will be able to reach into the duct with your palm facing upward like this:



Once you get your hand into the opening (you don't have to go in that far), you can feel the bulb socket as you rotate your hand clockwise. The socket in my car can be removed by simply giving it a slight quarter turn away from you. It then pulls straight out of the socket, at which time you can pull it through the opening:



At this point you can change the bulb and put it back into the socket. It takes me about 2 minutes to change one because I keep blowing them before I figured out how water was getting to them. Practice made perfect.

The mistake you'll probably make when trying to do this is sticking your hand in too far. You don't have to go in that far. Also, remembering which way to turn the socket to get it out. That's AWAY from your body.

Lastly, don't forget to put the duct back in place or you'll be riding around with some hot brakes!

 

 

Great advice

You need to pull that housing and seal it with epoxy or sealant.