[alk3997]

A service advisor for our other car (not a GM) noticed that there were crystals growing over the yellow front turn signal lights on the XLR. It is happening on both front signals and is inside the clear housing.

The more I look, the more they appear to be salt crystals but it is hard to be sure since there is no easy way to examine the crystals directly. There is no growth on the Zenon lenses but only on the turn signal lamps. The growth looks yellow but I think that is because of the yellow turn signal lamps.

Does anyone have prior experience with this? I'm hoping someone can provide more insight other than remove the crystals. Is this rain getting into the housing and then the moisture evaporates leaving behind the salt from our near-Gulf air? Should the seals be replaced as part of the repair?

I thought I remembered something about this but my search on the forum didn't find anything.

Andy

 

[Caly]

I recently had a bulb go out and the service writer pointed out that the lenses over the running/turn signal lights were getting cooked by the bulbs.

He told me there were going to be replacements for them soon.... as in the whole headlight assembly.

 

[Robin]

Showed this problem to my service writter this afternoon. They have have order 2 complete head light Assy.

 

[alk3997]

Showed this problem to my service writter this afternoon. They have have order 2 complete head light Assy.

Both of my headlight assemblies were replaced as a result of this anomaly ($1000 per headlight assembly under warranty, of course).

The funny part is that the tech listed the problem as overheating/melting of the bulb. To me it looked more like it was outside of the bulb itself. They haven't opened the assembly because GM has the option to request its return.

Andy

 

[xlrjim]

just replaced my headlight assemblys

I just had both headlamp assemblys replaced for the plastic deformation caused by overheating by the running lights. Just took a couple hours. Tech said he had never seen or heard about the problem.. Showed him the forum write ups. I sure hope some one from GM or Cadillac looks at this forum.

XLRJIM

 

[Quixotic]

...I sure hope some one from GM or Cadillac looks at this forum. XLRJIM

That would assume they care and are smart enough to look. :banghead

 

[Robin]

Head Lamp Assy.

Monday my XLR goes in to have both Head Light Assy. Replaced for the second time. Robin

 

[xlrjim]

Running lamps

Robin, How long did it take for the first replacements to go bad?

 

[alk3997]

I just had both headlamp assemblys replaced for the plastic deformation caused by overheating by the running lights. Just took a couple hours. Tech said he had never seen or heard about the problem.. Showed him the forum write ups. I sure hope some one from GM or Cadillac looks at this forum.

XLRJIM

I wish I had taken a picture of the assemblies with the deformation / contamination. It really did look like a whitish/orangish crystal over the actual bulb but could have also been the structure deforming.

Andy

 

[Robin]

Head Lamp Assy.

2 Months. There is some talk that the Bulb used is the wrong wattage. By the way I was told that the Assy cost $1000.00 a copy. Seems a bit on the high side. Also in that 2 month less than 500 miles were put on the car. In any case the dealer replaced both this morning. When I left I said see you 2 months. They didn't think that was funny. Robin

 

[eldorod]

What you are seeing are not crystals. Both of my headlights were replaced under warranty because the plastic material is melting. Your day time running lights for some reason like mine are getting way to HOT! I was told by the dealer that a slight design change was made and the problem was corrected. Well see.

 

[Eyedoc]

Same here

I had my 2004 in for work about a month ago (finally fixed the brake squeal and a few other things, digital upgrade for XM).

When I got the car back, the right side turn/daytime running light was out.

I brought it back and they said they would need it a half-day,. since it was not simply replacing a bulb.

When I asked if someone make are bumped something during the other work, the service manager said "we have been having problems with these bulbs".

It works not, we will see if this recurs.

Never saw the crystals/melting - just the bulb went out.

 

[xlr23]

just got my right side daytime running light fixed...dealer said, they no longer need to replace entire assembly but rather add a socket that solves the problem

 

[XLR I FL]

Well I'm joining the crystal headlight crew.

I have about 20k miles on my 2004 and BOTH yellow bulb headlight covers under the big bubble are crystalized. FWIW the dealer agrees that it is melted lenses from the heat generated by the yellow bulbs.

Apparantly GM does have a newer "fix" for the problem. They changed suppliers.

The initial XLR's had Guide (the vendor name) lense assemblies which did nessitate replacing the entire assembly at $1,000 each. Now they have the option of replacing individual components including the melted lenses.

What I am puzzled about is what have they done to reduce the heat frorm the yellow running light bulbs in the new assemblies.

I'll know more and report in when mine have been replaced.

The dealer has received 2 XLR-V's in as many weeks Both were black and were gone at full sticker price when they showed up as was a silver "V" STS for $78k.

Regards

 

[Red V]

Wow i am suprised cause my dad drove his car for 40,000 miles before he got his V and he never had that kind of problem with his lights. I wonder why it dint happen to him he drove it all day everyday.




Adam

 

[XLR I FL]

Well I just got my lights replaced and they are made in ---YOU GUESSED IT MEXICO!!! I saw the boxes.

They are not "Guide" products as the earlier ones were BUT they are complete assemblies as opposed to units that the individual components could be replaced. As was mentioned earlier, the cost of these "beauties is $1,000 EACH!!! PLUS labor to install them.

The "Fix" it seems is an additional pigtail wire that is spliced into the existing light wiring harness and I think a lower voltage "starter" for the units.

ALSO: if oyur need additional adjusting to fit as seemlessly inot your body as the origional units do I found out that there are some yellow shim washers that can be added or removed to adjust the fit.

MY SOAPBOX ISSUE OF THE DAY:: HEADS UP CADILLAC!!! If you want to save some real money then don't take these old assemblies off of the cars and toss them into the returned parts bin unwrapped so the outside lenses get scratched. What a complete waste of money especially if you consider that the bulb, clear lense and pigtail wire could have been replaced for under $100 for both sides!!!

I'm Finished Ranting Now!!!