PREMATURE BURN OUT OF REAR TAIL/STOP LAMP BULB. Chevrolet Camaro 1995

SUBJECT: PREMATURE BURN OUT OF REAR TAIL/STOP LAMP BULBS (REPLACE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES AND BULBS)

MODELS: 1997 CHEVROLET CAMARO (BULB INFORMATION ONLY) 1995-97 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

CONDITION:

THE REAR TAIL/STOP LAMP BULBS ON SOME 1995-97 PONTIAC FIREBIRDS MAY BURN OUT PREMATURELY.

CAUSE:

HEAT BUILD UP IN THE CONNECTOR TO BULB INTERFACE MAY BE HIGH ENOUGH TO MELT THE SOLDER IN THE BULB, CAUSING THE BULB TO BURN OUT. THE HEAT IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE SMOKE, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE. NEW CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES (BULB SOCKETS) WERE INSTALLED IN PRODUCTION AFTER VIN 2223232.

CORRECTION:

REMOVE THE REAR TAILLAMP ASSEMBLIES. CUT OFF THE CONNECTORS LABELED "B" AND "C", IN FIGURE 14, PAGE 8B-16 OF THE 1997 F-CAR SERVICE MANUAL. CONNECTOR "A", THE INSIDE CONNECTOR, IS THE BACK-UP LAMP.

REPLACE THE 4 CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES WITH NEW P/N 12159662. THESE ARE COMPLETE ASSEMBLIES AND NEED TO BE SPLICED TO THE EXISTING WIRES. USE THE SOLDERLESS, HEAT SEALING CONNECTORS SUPPLIED.

LOOKING AT THE NEW CONNECTOR, CONNECT THE WIRE FROM TERMINAL "A" TO DARK GREEN (RIGHT SIDE) OR YELLOW (LEFT SIDE); TERMINAL "B" TO BROWN; AND TERMINAL "G" TO GROUND (BLACK).

REPLACE BULBS. THE NEW BULBS ARE #3057, P/N 9441839.

INFORMATION -

1997 FIREBIRDS BUILT AFTER VIN V2223232 WILL USE THE #3057 BULB FOR BOTH TAIL/STOP LAMPS, AND BACK-UP LAMPS.

1997 CAMAROS BUILT AFTER VIN V2140622 WILL USE THE #3057 BULB FOR TAIL/STOP LAMPS.

PARTS INFORMATION:

PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE APRIL 28, 1997.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION NUMBER: N6530 USE PUBLISHED LABOR OPERATION TIME.

FIGURES: 00 ATTACHMENTS: 00

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.