How do you get at the daytime running lights
on a 2003 to replace them

 

Do you want to replace just the bulb or the entire housing:

See these posts regarding replacing the bulg:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sear...rchid=27901429

If your doing the DRL mod and switching housings see this post. Scroll down to post number 17 from Forum Member DeeGee who provides directions with the diagrams. Good luck. I did this mod and had no problem. Just takes some patience.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...t-removal.html

 

Heres a great video that shows you how to do it in about two minutes without even opening the hood or lifting the car. Did it myself many times. So easy a cave man can do it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaUEoD2CH4k

 

I just want to replace the bulb

 

This works as long as you have small hands, I have a friend that has a C5 and I almost had to cut off his hand because we thought it was never going to come out of the hole.

 

You'll get three suggestions

Go in through the brake ducts - not easy with a Z06 or if you have screens

Go in through the bottom by taking out the bottom panel



The one that works for me is:

Turn on the headlights and back off one position to kill the lights.
Unscrew the 3 small screws on the black plastic housing around the headlight. Gently pull the housing clear. Reach down around the headlight unit and release the bulb holder. It comes out by turning the bulb holder a ¼ turn counter clockwise but it has a plastic clip which you need to squeeze to release it. Here’s how the bulb fits into the lamp unit. The DRL bulb is the lower of the two.



Here’s the light socket. This one’s after market but it gives you the idea. You can see the clip you need to squeeze.



BTW, if you ever need to replace this socket the part #s are GM 12083689, AC Delco LS15 or Dorman 85882 (Thanks to UM Rebel)

Change the bulb. It’s a push fit into the lamp holder. Push it home firmly but don’t handle the glass. Use latex gloves if you have them. Reseat the bulb holder and turn clockwise until it clicks back in place. Put the plastic headlight housing back in place making sure to locate the small plastic tab in the bracket on the headlamp cover. Replace the 3 screws and close the lights.

It’s a 10 minute job. Some guys have had the lights close if they’ve taken a while to do the fix. If you’re worried about that, disconnect the battery once the lights are up.

The bulb is a 4157NA A 3157 will work but the 4157 is slightly brighter (28.5 vs 27 watts for the 3157).

Some guys with big arms remove the hood adjusting screw for better access. Guys with even bigger arms have had to take off the headlight cover. Four torx screws (2 back, 1 each side). Take the back ones off first with the lamps down. Raise the lights and take the side ones out.

 

While you're at it, I suggest switching to LEDs. Cooler, last longer, don't take as much current and will not burn through the housings. Great time for new corners and/or switchbacks as well.

 

I remove the access panel below.

 

Personally I would go through the access panel on the underside of the front fascia. Not hard to take off and gives you plenty of access.