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Headlight Plug Question

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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 09:16 AM
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Default Headlight Plug Question

I have a 99 convertible, and it will not keep the headlight plug in. This is a round piece of plastic that covers the adjustment scren on the side of the headlight assembly. I went to a local dealer and bought a new plug, and it did not fit very tight. The first time I used my headlights, I saw it blow off.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a fix for this?
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 09:40 AM
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This is a common problem.

Yes, GM fixed this problem, but the new plugs are smaller than the old ones.

You need the new bezels AND the new plugs.

Try Gene .... not very expensive.

Gene at GM Partshouse http://www.gmpartshouse.com/

Last edited by Secret237; Sep 3, 2007 at 09:52 AM.
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Secret237
This is a common problem.

Yes, GM fixed this problem, but the new plugs are smaller than the old ones.

You need the new bezels AND the new plugs.

Try Gene .... not very expensive.

Gene at GM Partshouse http://www.gmpartshouse.com/
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 05:23 PM
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Default Parts Question

Originally Posted by DeeGee
I see the parts on this page:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

My questions are:
1. is the driver's side called the left?
2. Which part is the plug that covers the adjustment screw?

I see the bezel is part #14.
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 05:26 PM
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 04:52 AM
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Originally Posted by csdunaway
I see the parts on this page:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

My questions are:
1. is the driver's side called the left?
2. Which part is the plug that covers the adjustment screw?

I see the bezel is part #14.
When you are sitting in the drivers seat, left is left and right is right. Don't know the cap part # but it is called Headlight Adjusting Screw Cover. Call Gene, he'll know exactly what you mean.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 06:07 AM
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Thanks! I will get with Gene this afternoon. I know it sounded like a dumb question, but for the sake of anyone who looks at this to know. Many thanks!

Clif
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 12:41 PM
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Just a couple small dab's of black RTV on the plug and seal the suckers in. If you ever need to remove the plug, the RTV will easily come off. It will hold the plug in but allow you to remove the plug when necessary. Thats how I fixed mine! Never flew off again!

BC
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 12:57 PM
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Default Used RTV on BOTH old style and new style covers

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Just a couple small dab's of black RTV on the plug and seal the suckers in. If you ever need to remove the plug, the RTV will easily come off. It will hold the plug in but allow you to remove the plug when necessary. Thats how I fixed mine! Never flew off again!

BC
The old style plug is actually a CAPLUG and you can get one FREE by going to their website and requesting one. As I remember it is either a 2 1/8" or 2 1/4" plug. the STEALERSHIP wanted to replace my covers for about $90. WHAT A DEAL!!!! I used black RTV on both sides and neither plug has popped since. The NEW STYLE has a retainer that SUPPOSEDLY keeps it there but I'm not to sure about that. DIY and save. I have one new and one old as the one headlight assembly was replaced. BIGHANK
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by bighank
The old style plug is actually a CAPLUG and you can get one FREE by going to their website and requesting one. As I remember it is either a 2 1/8" or 2 1/4" plug. the STEALERSHIP wanted to replace my covers for about $90. WHAT A DEAL!!!! I used black RTV on both sides and neither plug has popped since. The NEW STYLE has a retainer that SUPPOSEDLY keeps it there but I'm not to sure about that. DIY and save. I have one new and one old as the one headlight assembly was replaced. BIGHANK

Can anyone give a part number or style of the CAPLUG unit? I went to the site and its not readily apparent what we may need.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 04:35 PM
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Default Capplug

If you still have the OLD STYLE its marked on the plug. The NEW STYLE with the notch isn't a caplug or at least it doesn't appear to be.
If someone has and old style not glued in with RTV maybe they can report the number here. Ill look at mine but think the marking is on the UNDERSIDE of the plug. I refused to replace my OLD STYLE housing when all I needed was a caplug. Tried calling all the local dealers but they had only the NEW STYLE. BIGHANK
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 05:47 PM
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Default Old and New Part Numbers

I just pulled the original cap plug from my right headlight. It has the part number:
9414


The new cap plug I just bought from a local dealer is part number:
9461


The new cap plug is smaller than the original, thus, it falls out.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 08:42 PM
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Alliance Plastics also has one. The company I work for uses their caps and plugs so I had one of the buyers get me a dozen samples of their part numbe S2-1/8A. Basically a flat 2 1/8" plug. It's the same as the Caplug version and works perfect.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 08:52 PM
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I unscrewed the three phillips heads, removed the entire cover so I wouldn't have to mess with a flimsy snap-cap. No problems. Original cap still intact.

Just a thought.

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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 10:38 PM
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This is a easy and permenate fix.
Cut 2 circles from the tops of black spray cans. Super glue them in and they will never come out again. If you need to adjust the lights, just take the suround of with the 3 screws. I did this with my '99 and they work great.
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 06:28 AM
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I would not want to make a change like that to my car! I am a purist. I want it to look like showroom new forever. I will buy new bezels and plugs from Gene. But, thanks for your tip; someone will find it useful!
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 06:54 PM
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Default Great Job

Originally Posted by csdunaway
I just pulled the original cap plug from my right headlight. It has the part number:
9414



The new cap plug I just bought from a local dealer is part number:
9461


The new cap plug is smaller than the original, thus, it falls out.
I didn't know the NEW plugs had numbers. You learn something NEW EVERYDAY. BIGHANK
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Just a couple small dab's of black RTV on the plug and seal the suckers in. If you ever need to remove the plug, the RTV will easily come off. It will hold the plug in but allow you to remove the plug when necessary. Thats how I fixed mine! Never flew off again!

BC
This is the only way to fix them. The new plugs will blow out of the new bezels after a while.

Bill
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 10:32 PM
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Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. The CAPLUGS website says both of those part numbers don't exist
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Old Sep 10, 2007 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by csdunaway
I have a 99 convertible, and it will not keep the headlight plug in. This is a round piece of plastic that covers the adjustment scren on the side of the headlight assembly. I went to a local dealer and bought a new plug, and it did not fit very tight. The first time I used my headlights, I saw it blow off.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a fix for this?
Check the GM Tech alerts. I had the same problem on my '98 and GM replaced as a recall, I believe. The car was still under warranty at the time so they may have done it as a warranty service. Whatever the case, they were free.
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