The XLR tail lamps comception.

[IAN]

Know how the XLR tail lamp are made.
I had no choice to cut open the LH tail lamp of my XLR, the ridicul selling prices and the none credible repairs of them, in over cooking the inside vital elements and its lens.
Here is a photo from internet that shows its conception.that will help the XLR owners to understand it.
I have a series of photos that shows my conversion made with single neon led strip and it works as good as with the original lamps.


Should the XLR owners wants the the complete series of the repair i will be glad to inform them, the cost of doing it is ridicul low, however the person needs to have a certain skill or has friend who can help him.

To Follows /à suivre.

IAN

 

[long Tall Sally]

Vetteronic has a very good reputation and has repaired dozens and dozens of lights. The lights are so simple to repair that even a cave man can do it. HAHA Oh and nothing should be cut open. The lights come apart just as built with the proper tools and jigs to hold them . I have seen them cut apart at the non original seams and glued back. I call that a hack. Some may call it a repair. The only bad repairs I have run across is people just replacing one or two burned out leds when they all need to be replaced. (CALIFORNIA KIT REPAIR) the proper bulbs are very expensive and made to last for years as they have. Many led strips will burn out in a year or less. Please share with us which one you find works for you.

 

[IAN]

HI…. LTS.

Thanks for your friendly approch.

Have you really read my comments, my reason of writing on this issue is only to help the XLR owners, on my comments i dont point any one, i am trying to help.
I have seen on internet many specialised peoples who repairs the tail lamps and for me taking the risk of mailing a $3000 parts at my own risk, paying over $500 for the repair and another $200 if the printcircuit gets cooked or else, paying the shipping cost ect… sorry that is not of my vision.
I have been reading also the comments of many owners and they seems not to happy of the present situation that they are been taken for grant, and for me as also an XLR owner, is my way to say that there is a third way to fix the defective XLR tail lamps for less then $100.
Let the XLR owners to make their choice, do you agree LTS.

The firm that you seems to promote is not for me, as i have the skill to make this conversion and it realy works for less than $100. and it should be a plus for a skill XLR owners ( there are many of them )

How can you disliked it, i only try to bring sunshine for this cold weather months.

By the way happy new year.

IAN….. From the snow country HO HO HO

 

[long Tall Sally]

susggesting someone cut apart their taillight in a manner that ruins the light from ever being properly used again goes against my beliefs. That is fine if you wan to do that on your car to your lights. Others have said before they would pay 500 to get one repaired they would go to tractor supply and bolt on a round tractor light. Its their car again they can do what they want. Where is your proof of concept. How long has it been working? show us the light intensity. I have not seen strip lighting produce the amount of light needed to be seen for a brake light. If you have an acceptable repair for under 100$ that is great. Pass all the info on to someone that wants to save money. For that matter .you can drill 3 holes in the back, stick in a couple of 4157 bulbs and call it a done deal for 25$. Their are "repairs" and there are "hacks". Not all hacks are bad, not all repairs are good, but to put down people who have been doing this for years and actually have a lot of experience and research into the area is not agreeable with me. Certainly destroying a parts built in integrity, to me, is never a good thing. Oh and lights keep coming down In price as more and more cars get parted out. Good ones are now out there for less than 2000

 

[IAN]

Thanks for your humoristic statement….as this is not at all my way of doing the convertion of my XLR tail lamp.

The model years 2004,05,06, most of them are hi mileage and their value are in the plus or more $10 or $15,000, and that represent half of the XLR production is in it.
Do the XLR owner wants to spend $6000 for a pair of used tail lamp with a poor life balance , the commun sens say probably no, do the XLR owners wants to spend $2500 for 2 rebuild tail lamps, somes will agreed to do so and that is OK for me.
For the ones who do not have the budget for a such hi expenses have also the freedom to make their choice, my presentation advise them to make sure they have the skill or to get a friend that could do the changes.
My presentation of the photos on how to do it could help them to take their decision as this is what i did.

The seal tail lamps of XLR was supposed to be made for the life of the car, the reality is that fake feature has not work, as dozen dozen ( to take your words ) XLR the tail lamps had or will have to be change and since the car builder has stop to supply then to the XLR owners, is a very sad situation.
The led strip... i have been using them for years, they last as long the one made by the supplier of the car builder, the ones that you referring are not protected agains the wheater, your affirmation is not correct as you dont know the ones i plan to use. I have presently some led strip on the front of my XLR for the past 2years plus, they work just fine.

The good news, if the led strip fail as you pretend, at least the XLR owner will be able to access himself to change the strip, just like a regular bulbs, as a service maintenance cover will become available with this conversion, in other words the tail lamp is not apart the cover is part of any normal tail lamp.

This afternoon i will send 2 photos on how and were to cut the rear casing of a tail lamp in order create that service access for the lamp.

Regards

IAN

 

[IAN]

LTS.

These photos were taken last fall should have been send previously with previous comments.
Find attached a photo of the converted tail lamp, do you see the differences….there is one but very little. the front one shows the led install 3 years ago.

Regards

 

[IAN]

Part 2 were to cut the tail lamp.

Should you not feel good of doing it, then ask for some one who has the ability with his hand to do it

The interior and exterior photos red lines are the same one and it will guide you in cutting the lamp casing.
Get a good iron welder. when introducing the heat flat element, let it work at its speed dont push too much, relax and observe its result, having a line made previously on the casing will help you in having the iron element opening the plastic side walls, cutting it too close or to far will not produce properly the rear cover.
Ounce you have terminated to cut that portion, on the rear casing in the middle area are 3 round circles that indicates were the interior hiding and holding 3 screws are located, change the heat element for a round one with a small pointer, ounce inside of the casing you will find the screws end with its treads, release gently the plastic around the 3 screws treads, ounce that done you will find the release of the rear cut portion.
Those 3 circles made me thinking that a service cover was on the mind of the car producer and the idea was put on the shelf.
The cutting is the most hard part to do, but not that hard, watch your emotion when you will see your achievement.
The cutting produce wastes plastic on the edges, you can heat them and remove them with a good plier, remove them and save for other repairs welding as the plastic is quite soft for welding.
I Think that is enough for now.
To Follows/à suivre…..The cover and the led strip secured.

Sorry for the grammary, i dont have an automatic words and expression corrector.

IAN

 

[long Tall Sally]

I guess to each his own. Maybe some of the many do it yourself XLR owners will be able to also repair theirs. Thanks for your posting . I don't see the upper side light on that is required in the USA. That is the light circuit that goes out usually first and causes the car to fail inspection.

I like the eyelashes on the headlights, need to add some chrome. haha

I still would not recommend cutting apart a light with no proper way to seal it and keep moisture out. I have heard of very view that have gotten moisture in them from the factory seal failing. The bulbs just fail over time. Its good to see that you have engineered failure into your repair so you can do them again and again. Happy motoring

 

[IAN]

That information would also a plus for this site, the do it yourself are a lot present , yes, also the old model must be maintain alive as long as possible as the coming years could be fatal for many of them. GM should get his suppliers in suppling the necessary parts to the XLR owners. if they dont want to handle parts inventory costs.

The cut lamp is sealed with wrapping black mat vinyl witch it integrate perfectly with the walls plastic.

The part 3 will be showing it.

The present seal lamps gets already condensations inside, due to a poor air circulation, one of the photo were to cut the lamp cutting is showing it.

Thanks for your opposition i was able to get the message around to every one including the management.




Regards

 

[IAN]

Part 3, led strips.

Before deciding for the strip i have try to weld some new leds on the old rails, however the tinny copper rail covered of some type aluminium were not compatible with the solder, finally i was able to do it, but after doing the testing most of them have burn out for too much hi temperature.
Regarding the OEM leds are some kind of dual led with a flat plate and weld by some tiny spot weld, the long rail with 12 led its first 6 were partly holding on; due to poor welding i suppose. then i decide to go for the B plan.

The led red strips that i used are flexible weather seal and made of silicone, so instead of having a sealed tail lamp its the lead it self who are sealed, so the result would the same.
The strips used are of 24 leds and dual strips were stick side by side to replace each rail previously discarded, each strip are of about 1 watt, so the requirement for brake lights is 8 watts and for the flasher 7 watts, finally the total of 4 watts for the 4 strips are very safe.
Regarding for the brilliance of strips the leds are good for 6000K, the lamps instead of having 22 led now has 96 single leds so the results is all most the same as with my RH tail lamps, the photos send yesterdays shows it clearly.
The led were secure in place with a silicone ''goop '' glue, a layer was put on each inside corners of the cover, the glue gets dry after few hours and totaly dry after 24 hours, the flexible glue can some how be remove for maintenance.
Would the leds last long, my experience with them in building cars, i would say of course, would it last longer then the one of the GM car supplier, i would say there is strong chances, as we all know now as owners, that the xlr sealed tail lamps do not last the life of the car.( fake reputation )
For me it is urgent that the 2004,05,06 gets attention to stop their ''decadence'' and value of this fine car, the supplier had it easy and no one ask them help is in it. Something that all we should have a reflection.


To follows/à suivre... the conclusion and informations on the purchase of the leds strips.

 

[IAN]

The Conclusion.

I would like to insist again, if you do not have the skill….if you do not have the ability with your hand,,,,if this convertion freeze you dont get involve.... if you risking to do so of what the above warnings says, that is at your owns risks and concequences.
This information is mainly for the do it yourself who have the qualifications to make it happening, should you dont come up with a positive result, that is at your own risk also.
There is the other 2 solutions. you can go for them, they are a lot more expensive, however it could be better than ruining your tail lamp.
There is fourth way however i would rather keep it when the time would be appropriated.

REMEMBER THIS CONVERSATION IS MADE MOSTLY FOR HELPING THE XLR OWNERS nothing else....my contributon for 2019 is that one.

I wish that site would last for ever, however according to Wikipedia the retail sales are showing that the 15500 units sold since 2003 and 2011, the 2004,05,06 models represent around 75 % of the production, and these car are getting older and with less value, a reflexion about this treath should be in our mind…...wish long life to this fine site.

The next photos are the material that i have use to the conversion, of course that information is only to help you if you decide to go forward.

Its been a pleasure and hope that you have enjoy it.

IAN…. from the snow country.

 

[IAN]

this last photo should Have been part of the previous comments.

 

[benny]

Would you consider doing one for me?

 

[IAN]

Absolutely NO.....sorry benny.

I guest solving your problem would be the expensive$ first or second way.

My contribution was to help the XLT owners, by informing them of a third way to solve the defective tail lamps with its reputation of been good for the life of car.
Now you know that is a fake.
There is also a fourth way…. however when the time is appropiate i could suggest it.

IAN

 

[benny]

Thanks. Just wondering if I do it and screw up where to get another light to try again. The post was very helpful to me and I bet to a lot of others. I love driving all makes of cars, but love to work on them also.

 

[ghawk]

Only way to get a replacement is to pay the big bucks and buy one used. As Long Tall Sally indicated they are around two grand each so I wouldn't suggest experimenting if you are not completely confident in making the repairs yourself.

Gary

 

[IAN]

Hy Benny

If you can get a tail lamp at a low cost that is fine, getting one in my area is almost impossible.

To get a spare taillamp just in case, sounds to me a strange and costly way, if you want to do it as an experience that at is your decision, you say that you repairs cars then you sound and having a certain skill.

If you do it because it is very economical, that is the positive side of the solution.

As far as your statement, that many other owner think like you, it is possible as the present viewers is interesting to observe, i knows that many are do it your self, perhaps they would like to fix their tail lamps as per their available possible budget .
If you like my detail informations, this for me is my pay….helping really the xlr owners.

Good luck with decision.

IAN

 

[IAN]

Hi Gary.

Would the tail lamp been at a raisonnable price, i would have been the first one to go for it and replace the pseudo sealed tail lamp that the moisture get in aneway, one of my photo is showing it, with moisture at the bottom of the lamps.

The tail lamps are not some maintenance parts like for instance the air filters or brake parts, i feel that we are trapped and the car producer and its supplyers dont want to help us with their defective parts that are not at the hi level quality of the XLR.
Would the lens be available for instance and the leds assembly strips also available at raisonnable price the tail lamps speculation would have not happened and the XLR owner happy and no conflics.

If you break your lens you have to pay 3000 for a used lamps with the poor life balance left of the leds. that do not make sens.

What a sad situation.

IAN

 

[IAN]

Hi XLR owners

Today i visit the eBay site in trying to get some tail lamps informations, I found that the sellers money makers have put on sales the plastic clear reflector and the diffuser, i think that is a good news if there is a demand for them, the reality is not present, the items look great all clean with armorall, however for ???? $300, ouch….

I found a seller selling the casing taillamp also polish nicely with burn leds for $550 lus shipping.an other OUCH....

I found a service repair for the tail lamp for over $700, plus shipping at your own task and expenses, the seller recommended to buy a used taillamp ( $3000 with old or burn leds ) in case that it get lost in the shipping, gets damage or else, The seller do not confirm that all leds will be replaced, the lamps will be test polish and they will contact you if the internal print circuit is affected by the water or else that is an other $299 OUCH....That represent at least around the possibility of $4000. WOW
The other service repair seller advertise it at$550. for installing a kit that would replace the actual leds, the kit shows the parts hidding from the smoke plastic bag hard to indentified properly, my impression there are 2 round white plastic base for leds bubls and some kind of square items like relays, these items do not look at all of what the OEM leds on their rails are. Their procedure are very similar to the above seller, the different price is about only $150.
All, with the ebay protection plan with money back garanty ( SIC ).

Found 3 sellers promoting the Taillamps again, for $3000 to $4000. no changes on the market.

The above for me would cost at 32% more plus Shipping extra to send it to the snow country, now you know my motivation in opening my taillamp, i bet that you would do the same is in it.

IAN

 

[IAN]

View attachment 8588Just found a new strip red led, each module contains 3 hi intensity leds of 0.9 watt, weather proof and easy to work with. i have just order 2 units of 10 modules.

Each module are made of aliminium and silicone sealed , also a 3m sticker is on the back fo better sticking on the surface. each module is holding by the ground and power wires.

I will test them first and compare with the actual ones installed on my XLR tail lamps.

Would the result be positive, it would probably means that the welding red led is no more necessary and the red leds modules can be change easely . just like any regular bulbs.
View attachment 8589