Hey just wanted to find out if there is a TSB or anything on the DRLs on the C6. My right front went out again last night on the way back from Cruise-In. It was replaced about two weeks ago so the second time in two weeks seems to me something is wrong. Anyone else having trouble and what did you do to fix the problem. Interesting thing is that the parking light works on that side but DRL and Turn Signal are kaput. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Bob

 

Quit making so many right turns!

j/k

Some reported just a bad connection. Did you have any trouble with that before the first one burned out?

 

My right light has been working intermitently from the get-go. Just had it to dealer last week. Tech said he straighten something in the connector and put some dia-electric(?) grease on it and a new bulb-so far so good, but in the past it would fix its self, then go out for while....time will tell (He also said he had already done a few -rather low volume place)

 

May 10, 2005. Mine as I previously mentioned went out at 300 miles I had it replaced under warranty and haven't had any problems since but now I found out about this bulletin so the burned out bulb is the sympton of the problem which is defective sockets. If any of my DRL's go out from this point on I will give them that bulletin number once I find it. (PIC 3540)

 

The Daytime Running Lights are sometimes on for hours at a time (unless you turn them off every time you start the car like I do). This subjects the plastic sockets/metal terminals to a lot of heat and they start to lose tension on the bulb contacts. Changing the bulb re-arranges the terminals a little and it may work ok for a while, but the real problem is in the socket. The parts book did not list the socket separately so some dealers ordered $900.00 headlight assemblies. GM released Preliminary Information #PIC3540 with a proceedure to follow and a number to call for repair instructions. They say DO NOT replace headlamp assemblies; a repair harness will be released.

 

ZL-1,
Thanks for the information. I will give the Preliminary Information number to my dealer and see what happens this time.
Bob

 

SilverCoupe,
Most of the roads here in Franklin are right turn only!! Now what do I do? (That was a good reply)
To answer you question I had no trouble until two weeks ago when it went out the first time.
Bob

 

over all of these lights turning on or off because the DRL are always on you can expect those to go out first or problems with them down the line unless you can just shut them down and I mean shut them down from the get go before starting your corvette because when You do shut them down the way it is rigged now the switch returns to automatic mode so then you have to go through the whole thing over again the lights still will come on automatically and you shut them off manually. Why not just have the option to shut them off for good or when you want to put them on.

 

Having exactly the same problem. I pull the socket out, wiggle the bulb, get it working - but lose it again after a week or so. What a PITA! I don't want to take it to the dealer because they'd probably do just the same thing and pronounce it "fixed."

 

 

GM doesn't want them off. I read on GM's Techlink that if you are a LEO, or work for certain other government agencies, and provide proof of that, they'll permit the dealer to enter a code to permanently disable the DRLs. But they forbid the dealers from doing that for the general public. They consider the DRLs a major safety feature.

 

Big brother is watching
I just wish they made it so the bulb would last longer since it is on all the time so I won't have to have problems or have to service these bulbs when I didn't before in my other cars and Corvettes.

 

Have your Chevrolet dealer referenc this information:

Service VME - Front Turn Signal Bulb Inoperative at Times - keywords inop intermittent lamo light #PIC3540A - (May 27, 2005)

 

calemasters,
Thanks a million for the information. My car goes to the dealer this Friday for the repair.

 

Let us know what happens. Sounds like something we should all watch for.

 

I had my first one replaced April 1st and the second one last week. The dealer cleaned and sealed the socket this time. We'll see how long it lasts. By the way, if you don't let the dealer repair it under warranty the bulbs list for $18 each.

 

Document ID# 1656539


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Service VME - Front Turn Signal Bulb Inoperative At times - keywords lamp light signal turn #PIC3540 - (May 10, 2005)
Service VME - Front Turn Signal Bulb Inoperative At Times
2005 Chevrolet Corvette

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in the PI.

SERVICE VME:
This is a service VME to all Chevrolet dealer regarding 2005 Corvettes with front turn signal bulbs that may be intermittently inoperative.

There have been field comments that the front turn signal bulbs may not illuminate. Dealers report the condition is intermittent and replacing the bulb does not correct the condition.

The root cause may be a loss of contact between the base of the bulb and socket. Bowling Green Assembly switched bulb suppliers from Wagner to Sylvania. The Sylvania bulbs operate at a significantly lower temperature which may increase bulb life. If a customer has a front turn signal bulb inoperative, the dealers should follow the procedure in SI and remove the bulb. The bulb should be checked for operation off of the vehicle using a 12 volt power source. If the bulb is found to be inoperative, replace the bulb using a Sylvania source. If the bulb is found to operate out of the socket then dealer should attempt to slightly pull the socket connectors forward to provide a better contact with the bulb. If after extending the socket contact forward and the bulb still does not operate Please contact Art Spong Brand Quality Manager at 586-947-8890. DO not order a replacement headlamp assembly before working with Art Spong.

A service harness is being prepared for SPO and should be available shortly.

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.



GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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Document ID# 1656539

 

I printed out PIC3540 (May 10,2005) and PIC3540A (May 27,2005) so I could find the change. In the middle of the main paragraph, PIC3540 says "...replace the bulb using a Sylvania source." PIC3540A says "...replace the bulb using a (5702 KA) Phillips Bulb GM part number 15233607.

I think the idea is that if you switch to a cooler-running bulb the socket is less likely to be damaged by heat.

 

Will a cooler running bulb not be as bright as a hotter bulb or of higher wattage?

 

Hey Everyone,
Sorry but I was unable to get my car into the dealer this Friday (too much work BS). I will be out of town for next 7 days so no news until I return.