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Old Dec 5, 2023 | 11:50 AM
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Default Headlight issue

Another mind blower. After installing the front bumper twice because of an improper fender paint job, NOW, the right headlight bulb burned out. I tried to do preventative maintenance as long as I had access to the headlights and replace 9 year old bulbs,,, NOT. I used junk DMEX D3S HID bulbs. I will see how long it takes to remove the bumper this time.
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Old Dec 5, 2023 | 11:56 AM
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That sucks! You're getting to be a pro at removing that front bumper tho. You going back to stock bulbs or making sure it's not something else causing the outage?
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Old Dec 5, 2023 | 01:11 PM
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Well good news,,,, really bad news. It took 22 minutes to remove the front bumper. Good news, it wasn't the bulbs,,,,, really bad news, it's the headlight $600 I purchased. After market TYC. I tried 3 different bulbs, and tried plugging it into the left side, nope it doesn't work.
I purchased 2 new Osram bulbs. Now I have lots of bulbs.
I purchased a used OEM headlight.

Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 11, 2023 at 06:49 PM.
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Old Dec 6, 2023 | 04:29 PM
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Sorry to hear that...
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Old Dec 7, 2023 | 09:59 AM
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A good hint for those removing the headlight. The inside metal bracket that holds the inside fender/bumper together interferes with removing and installing the headlight. Just take a grinder and round the edge of that metal bracket, this will make it much easier to remove and install the headlight. Also you wont have to guess where the bracket goes when reinstalling it, if it's in the wrong spot the fender/bumper wont line up. Seems I am getting good at this.
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Old Dec 8, 2023 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by kodpkd
A good hint for those removing the headlight. The inside metal bracket that holds the inside fender/bumper together interferes with removing and installing the headlight. Just take a grinder and round the edge of that metal bracket, this will make it much easier to remove and install the headlight. Also you wont have to guess where the bracket goes when reinstalling it, if it's in the wrong spot the fender/bumper wont line up. Seems I am getting good at this.
Great tip; thx!
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Old Dec 11, 2023 | 05:12 PM
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Well this makes my head really EXPLODE! I got the used OEM headlight,,,,, F-ing UPS smashed the box and broke the tab off the headlight..... . The broken tab is why I started this headlight replacement in the first place.
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Old Dec 11, 2023 | 05:14 PM
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How frustrating is that!!! As if getting the parts isn't hard enough - SMH

Can you post a pic of the broken tab and mount area?
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Old Dec 11, 2023 | 06:36 PM
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The fix is a bit messy but it will be hidden. I used super glue to hold it into place so I could match the piece perfectly, then I used JB weld strong as iron epoxy. with 3 layers of fiberglass, kind of like repairing fiberglass body parts but with epoxy.




Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 11, 2023 at 06:54 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2023 | 06:39 PM
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Nice job-I was figuring you could do something like that! Moving forward as parts become more scarce, it's fixes like this that will keep our C7's on the road.
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Old Dec 11, 2023 | 06:59 PM
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At least I am back to an OEM headlight and not an aftermarket one.
OMG! I just noticed the headlight doesn't have the forward mounting bracket.
Is this nightmare never going to end! This will be my 4th headlight...... !

Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 11, 2023 at 07:53 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2023 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Flattman
Nice job-I was figuring you could do something like that! Moving forward as parts become more scarce, it's fixes like this that will keep our C7's on the road.
Moving forward, when it gets to the point I hear "Obsolete" too often, I'm getting something newer and not try to keep it running
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Old Dec 12, 2023 | 08:38 PM
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I ordered "ANOTHER" front headlight. The one with the broken side bracket is for sale on Ebay for $500. The side bracket is stronger than the original. I used JB weld iron epoxy and 3 layers of fiberglass for the fix. I tried a test mount on my car and even with the front bracket missing it mounts very solid. I should have just used this headlight on my car but I ordered ANOTHER used OEM headlight. Anybody with the same issue can get a OEM headlight for $500.






Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 12, 2023 at 08:45 PM.
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 09:46 AM
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Very frustrating, I tried to challenge the sale on Ebay and was turned down. This wasn't the shipping company's fault. The guy selling the headlight on Ebay lied about the light. He said it was in perfect condition with all of the mounting brackets. That was a lie. Plus he didn't package it correctly and it was broken during shipping. He used way to small of box and the side bracket smashed through the box and broke off. Ebay said because I messed with the light, "fixed it", I couldn't get my money back.
I did sell it, so I got part of my money back. Another OEM headlight comes today. Crossing my fingers.
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by kodpkd
Ebay said because I messed with the light, "fixed it", I couldn't get my money back.
OK. I can't blame them for it. That is TOTALLY YOU. When something is broke, take pictures and contact them IMMEDIATELY and not try to screw around with making it better. BTDT but only with the seller giving me the green light and with his emails. Something was wrong with the gun. He had wanted me to send it back. I asked if I could let my gunsmith look at it on his dime and see how much it takes to fix. He agreed. He even gave me a little more for my trouble.

Would you have been money, time and aggravation ahead had you just ponied up for the one at the dealer?
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 10:13 AM
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So the seller lied about the light, packed it poorly so it was destroyed during shipping. This is totally me? OK.
AND! I was willing to accept $150 from the seller on a $600 part and he refused.

Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 16, 2023 at 01:17 PM.
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by kodpkd
So the seller lied about the light, packed it poorly so it was destroyed during shipping. This is totally me? OK.
You tried to fix it. I would have told the seller, called ebay and put a hold on the charge.

Didn't you say that?

Originally Posted by kodpkd
Ebay said because I messed with the light, "fixed it", I couldn't get my money back.
I don't care about the seller. It comes damaged, I'm squealing like a stuck pig on the seller to ebay. I don't car if they packaged it bad, delivery service ran it over or whatever. Not my problem. I want undamaged goods or my money back.

Did you take pictures and contact the seller via ebay or did you try to "fix it" first?
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 04:15 PM
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When I first fixed the broken bracket I didn't realize the forward bracket was broken off. You can hardly tell by looking at it. That is when I tried to return it with no luck. As far as the bracket I fixed, it is stronger than it was originally.
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by kodpkd
When I first fixed the broken bracket I didn't realize the forward bracket was broken off. You can hardly tell by looking at it. That is when I tried to return it with no luck. As far as the bracket I fixed, it is stronger than it was originally.
That is what I am saying. Once you mess with it, it's not something ebay can help you with anymore. I have done it myself and had to eat it. I blame myself for not checking it out and reporting it immediately. That was on me. It happened to me because I was careless and I learned that I never accept something with obvious damage. It sucks but I can't blame you for my mistakes and won't even ask you to help me talk to the seller.
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 07:06 PM
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This is true,,,,,, I learned my lesson. BUT that doesn't mean the seller wasn't a crook, and a liar.
The good news,,,,, my car is finely back together, the headlight works and I am done working on the car. TADA!
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