Carquestions

I just replaced my front left turn signal housing because of a small stone chip and noticed (once the housing was removed from the bumper) that there was some cracking on the outside of the housing directly above the turn signal bulb. Looking inside the housing with the bulb removed you can see obvious signs of severe melting. I'd post pictures of it but I don't think I'm allowed to upload pictures for some reason.

I think the cause has a couple of reasons. 1. export to Canada require DRL's and they use the parking lights instead of the headlights so they are always on when driving and the design and spec for the plastic and bulb were never designed for constant "on" use so Canadian cars are going to see this problem more so than US ones. I'm thinking of putting in cool running LED's if I can find some - I don't want to disconnect the DRL system. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Cratecruncher

I had a similar problem with the clock timer on my Twilight Zone pinball machine. The bulbs in the clock heated the assembly warping the gears if left on for long periods because the case of the unit was sealed up. I solved it by drilling small holes at the top and bottom of the case, just above and below the bulbs. The hot air rose out of the top drawing in ambient air from the bottom.

EDIT: If you pursue this route ensure no rainwater can penetrate the housing!

Quicksilver Vert 01

It's not just a problem with the Canadian exports. All C5's delivered in the US, use the turn signal bulb filament for DRL's as well.

My original park/turn housings were cracked, and showed evidence of overheating on the inside.

rbrtclk

You can take a piece of heavy tin foil, fold it in half, put it on top of the cracked area and put clear silicone on top of it and seal the edges also. It works.

lionelhutz

I installed new black Depot corner housing, bypassed the flasher and installed switchback LED towers. I think those corner lights look better anyways.

Peter

Z06ufgrad2002

This is a common problem on all C5s. The bulb melts the plastic and causes cracking which eventually leads to buld failure due to moisture entering the housing. You have two options; either continue to replace the housings or fabricate something to seal the top of the housing where it cracks. Maybe some JB weld over the cracked area should hold it for quite some time.

DeeGee

Sadly its a design problem on all C5s. The turn signal bulbs are dual filament and act as park, turn and DRLs.

I had to inhibit the DRLs here in England as ambers are not legal here. As a consequence I never have T/S bulb failures and my lenses are not burned.

I'd say if you want to keep the DRLs, LEDs are the way to go. TStar is one of the Forum gurus on LEDs.

Quicksilver Vert 01

That is certainly the best idea, since LED's emit virtually no heat.

I'm curious, however, if the turn signal flasher will be adversely affected by the low current draw of LED's. It could result in rapid flashing, or even no flashing, if the turn signal flasher current draw is changed.

Maybe someone, who has tried an LED conversion on the DRL's, will chime in with an answer.

JW Motorsports

We have a harness that fixes the hyperflash http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...harnesses.html

lionelhutz

Yes, if you install LED's in the front corner lights or the tail lights then you will get rapid flashing.

Here's how I fixed my car.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569256474-post48.html

This does the same thing as the flasher bypass harness but is DIY with some wire cutting needed.

Peter

Quicksilver Vert 01

Thanks JW and lionelhutz.

They both are good solutions.

JW Motorsports

100% plug n play no cutting