It seems like a lot of the XLR's I have looked at have a melted lens for the Daytime Running Lights. Does GM warranty the repair, or is there a TSB to repair it? Or do people sell their cars once this condition sets in?
Bruce

It seems like a lot of the XLR's I have looked at have a melted lens for the Daytime Running Lights. Does GM warranty the repair, or is there a TSB to repair it? Or do people sell their cars once this condition sets in?
Bruce

I believe it's kind of a courtesy repair through the dealerships ..... my dealer honored it .... but he never said it was a recall. We have an '04 .... the problem just showed up last year .... They look bright and beautiful now .... :yesnod

No ..... I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that they traded their car in because of that .....

they will fix each and every one of them, but they only do it if you complain.

My suggestion after you get it changed out would be to crank your light dial all the way forward which puts your lights on, now you can also flash to pass which you can't do using running lights. Your lights will turn off automatically during the day and night, but in order to have your lights remain on until you get in the house at night you will have to put them back on automatic. I have had two XLR's and I use it this way and have never had a problem. The amber are too intense.
Bob



It seems like a lot of the XLR's I have looked at have a melted lens for the Daytime Running Lights. Does GM warranty the repair, or is there a TSB to repair it? Or do people sell their cars once this condition sets in?
Bruce

Thanks, good to know. I'll still try and use it as leverage for a better price. Can they change just that small lens, or do they change the entire assembly?
Bruce

Yes, they change out the whole light assembly and be sure to watch to make sure they get the gaskets in correctly. A lot of members have had them changed out but some have had a nasty job on the gaskets.Thanks, good to know. I'll still try and use it as leverage for a better price. Can they change just that small lens, or do they change the entire assembly?
Bruce

Yes ... gaps ... there shouldn't be ANY.

I'm sure I'll be corrected if wrong; but I believe the problem was only on '04s and early 05s.

Floyd

It seems like a lot of the XLR's I have looked at have a melted lens for the Daytime Running Lights. Does GM warranty the repair, or is there a TSB to repair it? Or do people sell their cars once this condition sets in?
Bruce
Floyd is correct. They will replace the 04's and some 05's. It is a known problem.

They replace the whole assembly (lense bucket, modulator--etc.).

I was told that there was too much current running to the lights which caused them to heat up and melt.

To Bob's suggestion--You need to be sure to use a piece of thin cardboard or something that is straight and won't scratch the paint or the lense and check to be sure that they are seated in their respective gaskets level with the fender.
Be sure to check from outside the car and while sitting behind the wheel.

Minor adjustments are fairly easy by getting behind the fender well and using the supplied spacers.

Good luck

I know this is a hashed out issue but we are looking at a 05 with a GMPP warranty but the head lamps don't look to have been changed. What would be the chances of getting a dealer to change them? At 1k each it may be a deal breaker on this car. Any comments welcome!

Dave

I know this is a hashed out issue but we are looking at a 05 with a GMPP warranty but the head lamps don't look to have been changed. What would be the chances of getting a dealer to change them? At 1k each it may be a deal breaker on this car. Any comments welcome!

Dave
Dave:

You don't mention whether or not this car is a dealer sale or not. Either way, I would use it as a barganing point. There is clear evidence as to the cost of replacement.

This is a private seller, 23K miles. I have not seen the car in person yet (4hr drive) and seller said they don't notice it but I believe I can see it in the front photo.

http://edmunds.autotrader.com/fyc/img_popup.jsp?car_id=277594588&photoIndex=4&isStock=false


http://edmunds.autotrader.com/fyc/img_popup.jsp?car_id=277594588&photoIndex=4&isStock=false

http://edmunds.autotrader.com/fyc/img_popup.jsp?car_id=277594588&photoIndex=4&isStock=false

This is unfortunate for all parties involved and will have to be a bargaining chip. Caddy should make good on this under their GMPP but it sounds like they probably won't due to the exclusions.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Dave

From the picture it does not appear to me to have damage to the headlight cover. Howerver a good place to start to see if they have been replaced is to have your local Caddy dealer run a history on the car (all you need is the S.N.). That should confirm if the lights have been replaced under warranty.

This is a private seller, 23K miles. I have not seen the car in person yet (4hr drive) and seller said they don't notice it but I believe I can see it in the front photo.

http://edmunds.autotrader.com/fyc/img_popup.jsp?car_id=277594588&photoIndex=4&isStock=false


http://edmunds.autotrader.com/fyc/img_popup.jsp?car_id=277594588&photoIndex=4&isStock=false

http://edmunds.autotrader.com/fyc/img_popup.jsp?car_id=277594588&photoIndex=4&isStock=false

This is unfortunate for all parties involved and will have to be a bargaining chip. Caddy should make good on this under their GMPP but it sounds like they probably won't due to the exclusions.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Dave
Kahuna is right. A service histroy will clear the issue up IF it is an issue. Why not ask that the owner take some more pictures of the lights for you at various angles. What you are looking for is crystalized lenses on the upper lights inside the protective clear cover shield.

Also this seems too be a real clean car.

I would think that you can arrivie at a compromise on the lights if you remain intereted in the car.

I hope this deal works out for you.

Regards

Jerry

Thanks for the tip. I got the service records. Good information. No new headlights though, just the DRL socket recall. I suppose we could run headlights all the time and prevent further damage if they don't look to bad. I will assume they will not replace them under warranty for now.

I will respond to this thread with the outcome on this deal.

Dave

As I understand, if they did the socket recall they should have done the lenses because the socket was the cause of the lense melting in the first place.

It is important for you to know that the 2004 and only part of the 2005 model years were impacted by this issue. the redesigned light assembly allowed for the replacement of the lenses and bulbs without all of the drama.

Regards

How do you tell the difference between an 04 and 06 XLR? Check out the headlights!

There has been some confusion regarding the crazing of the DRL bezels as far as warranty repairs, bad harnesses and light bulb sockets. Here's the lowdown:

The plastic orange DRL bezels aren't melting, they're crazing, --a situation in which heat blisters the supposedly heat-tolerant bezel surface. If they were to melt, the plastic would run, and there would be a potential for a fire. THAT would definately generate a headlamp assembly recall. This problem has been reported on 04, 05 and a few 06 models. eBay is full of "good deal" used, replacement headlight assemblies with crazed bezels. Buyer beware.

The problem was caused by the bezel material (heat-tolerant being a lot different than heat-resistant). GM changed vendors and later year models (including subsequent headlight replacement stock) do not exhibit this problem. Both new and old headlamp assemblies are sealed units. GM doesn't want you to fix them, they want to sell you a new one. At these prices, I'm not sure how bancruptcy could have ever been considered!

Some headlight assemblies were replaced under warranty, others as goodwill repairs by dealerships. And some owners were told to live with it, that it was a normal condition. There is no consistencey, so a free replacement may come down to the relationship you have with your dealership. There has never been a recall for the bezel issue.

There has been a recall for the bulb sockets; as you can see, they are not responsible for the fugly-looking bezels:

Recall Number 06V263000
Vehicle Mfr Dates: Jan 2003 to June 2004 (Check the back of your door for the sticker that displays your mfr date)

Vehicle: 2004 Cadillac XLR

Defect Description:

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), TURN SIGNAL, AND PARKING LAMPS USE THE SAME BULB. THE BULB MAY BECOME DAMAGED FROM VIBRATION WITHIN A LOOSE FITTING SOCKET OR AIR ENTERING THE BULB DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SEAL. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE THE BULB TO BURN OUT PREMATURELY.

Consequence of Defect:

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD NOTICE THAT THE ARROW IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH FASTER THAN NORMAL WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. THE LOSS OF THE DRL AND TURN SIGNALS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S PRESENCE OR INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Action:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOCKET AND BULB IN BOTH LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.


When the new headlight assemblies were introduced, they required a jumper harness to interface with the old headlamp harness. I've posted the newer headlamp assembly and harness PNs previously. As many of you know from the lingering effects of PTSS, (Post-Traumatic Sticker Shock) the headlamp assemblies are not cheap. I've bought used cars for less than the price of one new headlamp assembly.

I hope this clears things up. It's an old issue that has been discussed ad nauseum in past threads.

CC :seeya

If you remember to turn your fog lamps on every time you start the car it will turn off your DRL's. I have a fairly late build 2006 and the passenger side is starting to show signs of deforming so they must have had some of the old headlamp assemblies laying around for quite a while. I have a CPO warranty, but haven't complained about it yet to see if the dealer will do anything.

I was at the local caddy dealership yesterday and inquired about the dlr problem. The service advisor said it was the service mgrs call. The service manager has the leeway to honor most all original warranty issues up to 12 months after the original warranty expires. Since my car is past that time frame the service mgr doesn't have the discression to honor the original gm warranty. He suggested that I could call gm and make my case with them and see what they would do. I'll probably do that, but given gm's financial condition, I don't expect that they will replace free of charge. Maybe they will.

Finally the shopping is over! We bought the 2005. Thanks to all that helped us, especially XLR I FL :thumbs: and ccclarke. :cheers We do have a little crazing on the lights but not really to noticeable. Were taking it out west into the mountains on vacation next week after a visit to our local Caddy dealer for a check-up. :party

Dave

Congrats Dave! Welcome to the club. The more you drive it, the more you'll like it. Glad we could help.

CC :cheers

Finally the shopping is over! We bought the 2005. Thanks to all that helped us, especially XLR I FL :thumbs: and ccclarke. :cheers We do have a little crazing on the lights but not really to noticeable. Were taking it out west into the mountains on vacation next week after a visit to our local Caddy dealer for a check-up. :party

Dave
Dave:
Congratulations.

It's a great car and I know you will enjoy it!!

Please let us know how it performs on the trip.

Regards


Jerry

You will not get the lights repaired for free especially if you are not the original owner and my dealer said they won't even replace them under that GMPP warranty because it's cosmetic. I have filed several complaints with them and on the last go round they told me I would have pay 500 dollars but when I scheduled the appt with the dealer my advisor sd no it would be 500 per side! My argument is that this is a defect that the consumer could not prevent so why should I pay even one dime. They don't get it.

Posting kind of late on this. Well, congrats on the purchase. Yep, new headlight units are pricey, you may be able to find a good clean used set if you look. Half price isn't bad from the dealer. They wouldn't replace mine either and offered about the same deal. I found an immaculate used set and I'm very happy. When I start the car I roll the stalk towards me to turn them off. The car looks better anyhow.
Either way, enjoy your new car.
Bruce

Were back from our trip and while the car was a gas there were several events that happened with the car which I will post separately. They are intermittent top operation, rear end clutch chatter, gmpp warranty coverage, and engine knock on start up.

Dave

Ive got an 04 with burned headlights also. Warranty just ran out, they will charge me to replace right even if I complain? :)

It depends on the relationship you develop with your Service Manager & Writer. My car had just dropped out of warranty (by a month) when I took it in to have this issue checked out. They told me that they were close to a grand (each) to replace but would see if they could get them replaced for free under a GM Goodwill gesture. The next day, they said the repair had been approved and to bring it in.

Short story: It really pay$ to be nice. :yesnod

Good luck!

CC :seeya