Topic: Headlamp Explosion

[livefreeordie]

I was enjoying a drive down a country road last night when suddenly I heard a small pop and my passenger side headlight went out.  Upon inspection the next morning, the outer lens of the assembly was fogged and when I disconnected the bulb, it was shattered.  I removed the headlamp assembly and it's filled with broken glass!  The bulb exploded inside the assembly...  What the????  A new assembly costs $306.52 from the dealer.

Have you guys ever heard of this?  Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[BIO Hazard]

Any pictures?  Was it a stock bulb?

[livefreeordie]

It was the factory original bulb...  The globe shattered within the assembly.  The outer lens is fogged enough so that it looks markedly different from the driver's side... and there's glass debris inside from the bulb.  There's even a burn mark in the assembly to the right of where the bulb is positioned.  I've disassembled it so I don't have a comparison picture yet.

[BIO Hazard]

Are you still under warranty? Seems like it is something I would take up with the dealer if you are especially if it is a stock bulb.

[livefreeordie]

Really?  They cover headlight bulbs under the b to b warranty?

[spicy3480]

Should be covered under warranty, especially since you haven't messed with the electrical part or changed the headlight bulb.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Headlamps are only warranted for the first 12000 miles.  You can save some money buy placing them in the oven at 210 degrees for 10 min, separate the lens and clean it, stick it back together and put in a new bulb...

[BIO Hazard]

I would still run it by the dealership. Doesn't hurt to ask.. Worst they can say is no at which point you are still at the same point you are at now. Joe has a great suggestion you if the dealership wont help.

My questions to the rest of the forum are:

- Is this bulb explosion along with the burn marks & discoloration normal?

- Is there a better grade of bulbs out there that this will not happen to?

- Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Thanks
Tim

 

[DirtyMike]

my sister's gxp had a broken bulb when she got it, dealer replace the bulb but the lenses are also different. never went back to change assembly. so f' it. prob get the new blacked out ones later or an aftermarket kit if one is ever available

[lil goat]

I would run it by the dealer, and scream and yell about a possible fire, then call Pontiac. I doubt they will replace the bulb, but they may replace the housing as it seems it leaks.

[Critterman]

 :agree:much as I hate to agree with the goat , he is ***** (just can't say it)
It had to have gotten wet some how, so if you haven't been messing with it take it to the dealer.

[livefreeordie]

Thanks everybody.  I'll run it by the dealer.

By the way, the assembly does not seem to have a leak.  I've never noticed any moisture inside...  I think it was a defective bulb.

[livefreeordie]

I took it over to Mid-Way Pontiac in Somersworth, NH.  They took care of it as a warranty claim.  During my visit, I had a good conversation with Mike in service and hung out with the owner for a little while.  He races his highly modified n/a Solstice (which was at the garage) in SCCA events.

Bob suggested I throw the GM CAI on my GXP for some extra gusto and improved sound...  Do any of you have it on your car?  Feedback?

[Filipp]

I have the GMPP CAI, it definitely has a different sound but you won't really gain to much horsepower / torque if any at all. Most of it is for the sound. Get a tune if you don't already have that then the CAI / Exhaust if you want it.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Glad the headlight was taken care of for you...

It'll help a little with flow but not much since the stock air box was actually pretty good.  The sound is really cool though.

Westers just recommends a K&N Drop in.  Save a few hundred...

[livefreeordie]

Thanks for the advice.  Maybe a CAI and a chip...

We'll see if there's fun money in the budget this summer.

[spicy3480]

The CAI will really only change the sound...especially if you go with a GMPP CAI.  I had it on my car.  They don't make a "chip" for our car, but they are able to tune your existing ECM.  I recommend the Westers tune, as many others will also say.