The XLR tail lamps comception.

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

The Rock Auto part is listed as an AC Delco part but I'm not sure where it is sourced from.

John B.

 

[benny]

So where do we send our tail lights to be brought back from the dead?

 

[IAN]

Hi Benny.

Since GM sadly do not supply parts for it…….There is 3 choices on the menu.

First one …..Buy a used one at an unfriendly price from the salvage yards up to $4000 with great chances that this one will shortly needs repairs also.

Second one….have it rebuild by specialised shop that will do the fix $ 1500-$2000, however the chances to get the electronic and plastics components are great of been dry/cooked by the oven. ( be aware of the devils )

Third one….. if you are a fine DIY and have the ability, the economical way is suggested on this threads.

It is sadly up your choice and risk$$$$$.

Good Luck.

IAN

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

To more directly address #2 in Ian's post above, a company called VetteTronics will redo all the LED's in one (1) tail/brake light housing for (as I recall) $700. You have to remove the housing, pack it very carefully and pay to ship it to them. They include the return shipping in their price, which you pay up front.

They heat the lens housing to the point that the sealant holding the lens and housing gets soft enough to allow them to be separated so the light emitting diode strings inside can be replaced.

I saw another company on EBay doing the same service for around $550 per, but they have not been around as long, as is my understanding.

One could make a living 3D printing these things if the manufacturing process and materials could be worked out, and I hope someone does.

But no one has. So here we are.

John B.

 

[IAN]

Hi Johnny.

VetteTronics seems to get a good reputation, however the repairs of the only defectives led are include in the advertised price of $ 699.99.....there is no mention that all of them will be replaced.

The purchase of a used tail light ($2000) is recommended in case of the lost in the shipping or have been damaged…..OUCH
The cracked tail lens is not their responsability and this item is not available on the market….. OUCH
The defective print circuit board ruined or defective $200 OUCH
The shipping and insurance cost to send it to the repair shop. $200 ???.... OUCH
The Sales taxes and others OUCH
The 48 states only involve in this repair, is that fair…... OUCH
The XLR owner finally seems to be squeeze in this kind of offer…….. REAL SAD

So finally... this item 2, could be the most expensive solution and acceptable for the ones with a good available budget…..for the ones with no budget…..no luck

That was my main reason to go with the item 3...... and it works great.

IAN

 

[long Tall Sally]

You are totally incorrect IAn. vettronics has been rebuilding them for years . He has been a very good source for the community for a long time. He does not "repair" them like the ebay guy. who just replaces burnt out leds with new ones that will cause the chain to fail at the next weakest spot.He totally replaces all the leds and if the control board is bad he also will replace that. The last one he did was 100 not 200. I have a pair that he repaired 4 years ago. every led still works perfect as they are actually better quality leds than come in the unit from the factory.
And I might add , if I want to sell they they are totally in original condition and will bring the going rate of 2000 Each. Your prices are out of line that you quote. Ebays prices have continued to drop as more and more of them are being put on the shelf. I have seen nice ones go for under 2000. Anew one brought 3000$ Look at the sold history and not what people are asking. That is what they really bring. Vettronics has other interest and does not do as many as its very time involved and nerve racking for him to do them properly. I don't know of a single person that he has charged if they broke.
As stated he pays return shipping and in the usa . fedex will ship insured for about 50-75$ all day long. If you have a good pair getting them rebuilt even at 700 is a much better option than used ones that may already need to be rebuilt. Reports of the cheaper ebay company having failures within 6 months are out there. but as you say people do have options.

 

[long Tall Sally]

on the third brake light. I have bought a couple maybe 4 in the last 2 years for customers and they all had Gm part numbers and were not china knock offs. Even the one from rock auto had the GM official part number on it. Made in Mexico if I remeber correctly.

 

[IAN]

Sally.

It is just wrong.....sorry.

IAN

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

As I said, I like options. Who cares if your tail lights have an access panel cut into them? I wouldn't. It's not going to depreciate my car any more than it already has and will continue to.

I'll probably cut into mine.

John B.

 

[IAN]

Hi John B

Cool…..the older model have access for servicing the tail light, curiously GM decided to seal them for stopping the rain to get in, however the cold and hot weather still creates condensation in them.

The XLR has also many modules and the condensation is maybe our worst enemy.

IAN

 

[IAN]

Hi XLR Owners.

I would like to inform you that after a year i have open cut the LH tail light of my XLR
that i had no problem since, the brake, the flashers, the lights just works great, all this for less than $50.

On EBay i recently check for the Repairs services outlets, Vettronic and a Module repairs shops have end their offers, that sound like they have stop of doing the repairs.

The salvage yards offers for a used tail lamps with a reduced life expectation left are still in the $3000 more or less.

As far for the broken lens I believe that a flexible clear silicone sheeting are available and ideal for the repairing tail lens and the headlamps lens.

With imagination our XLR still can economically rolls.

IAN

 

[long Tall Sally]

vettronics does not advertise as he does 3 or 4 a month for customers direct. All are very happy with his proper repairs. I am still driving around on a tire with 4 patches In the sidewall. Not the right thing to do and I don't recommend it but it works for me.

 

[IAN]

Hi XLR owners.

Positively, for the do it yourself and many of us, the open cut tail lamp (

very similar to the DTS Cadillac ) is the best economical way to repairs the lamp.
​

Way to keep the XLR rolling.

IAN

 

[IAN]

Hi XLR Owners.

This post has reach over 4000 viewers in only 9 months, that is for me wonderfull, you all have my gratitude in reading this economical option to the repair of the XLR tail lights.

I have some other options on how to do it again with new Cadillac tail lamps that could fit in your present lamps, however the sellers and salvage yards would not appreciate it.

Thanks to this site and its administrators.

IAN the tail light guy ideas.

Keep your XLR rolling for ever.

PS If you have some questions on the present option do not hesitate to ask I would be please to answert you.

 

[long Tall Sally]

so how many of the 4000 have converted your taillights this way. in 9 months over 35 taillights have sold on ebay at an average of 1845$ each. not counting the 600 and 700$ repair sites that have done several dozen. I am sure this is a good option for some.

 

[IAN]

HI Sally.

Your question is a seller one, unfortunatly i am not a saleman, i am some one who is trying to help the XLR owners in making their choice on the 3 options available for them.

Very soon our XLR value will be less worth then 2 used tai lights, so the XLR owners would not be perhaps too much in favor to pay that much money, in order to keep his XLR on the road.

I have answers you that question previously is in it, dont get upset for so little, lets get together instead of looking for a confrontation.

Out of the 2 thanks and 18 likes only one dislike was received, the viewers were able to show their gratitudes until the month of march only ( strangely ) would they had the chance to show their appreciation the numbers would be 4 times higher.

Sorry that you dont like that economical option.

IAN

 

[IAN]

I XLR ownwers

Since we having discussions on the Brake light, I thought to make an update of the way to solve the problem, by some DIY skilled.

IAN

 

[IAN]

Hi XLR owners.

First anniversary of the tail lamps modified and the lamp still working fine.

Thanks for reading it as 5000 viewer was on this thread.

IAN

 

[IAN]

IAN.

Spring time is just on the corner, glad we go away from this hard winter,,,, the tail lamp is still working fine.

Thanks to the readers, your interest for the issue seems to be a sign for a solution.

IAN

 

[IAN]

Hi XLR Owners.

Enclosed is an article that claims that buying a tail lamp is the cost of a used car.....

Enjoy

Ian