THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING INCIDENT WITH ONE OR BOTH TURN SIGNALS LAMPS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS THEMSELVES DO NOT APPEAR BURNED OUT BUT THE LAMP SOCKET WIRE MELTS THE PLASTIC HOUSING FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT AND CAUSES A BREAK IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE BULB REPLACEMENTS OVER THE TWO PLUS YEARS ONLY TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL SOCKET PLASTIC HOUSING FAIL REPEATEDLY. THE BULBS/SOCKETS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE OPERATES AT FULL BATTERY VOLTAGE WHEN FUNCTIONING AS A DRL. THE DRL IS ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE HEADLAMPS ARE OFF INCREASING THE DUTY CYCLE OF THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB RESULTING IN A SOLDER JOINT CRACK CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS. IF A SOLDER JOINT CRACK OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. CONSEQUENCES: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARDOUS SITUATION OR A CRASH.
The indicator bulbs blow out frequently and the only ones you can replace them with are at the GM dealer....long life bulbs. If replaced from bulbs you get at an auto parts store they blow out within hours or days of replacing. If you pay double from the dealer you get at least a few months from them.....whats up with that? I have never had to replace the bulbs so much as I do with this car.
I have had to change just about every bulb/lamp on my car at least twice in the last two years as well as there are times I start my car and the radio will not come on until I turn off and restart the car and there are also times when the time has gone back to 12AM and the temperature in Celsius.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have a 2004 Malibu my head lights as well as my turn signals go out all the time. when I replace them with in a few days the go out again.
- Heather B., bellflower, CA, US