ERRATOC OP. OR HEADLAMP DOORS, HEADLAMPS, OR TURN. Chevrolet Camaro 1997

SUBJECT: ERRATIC OPERATION OF HEADLAMP DOORS, HEADLAMPS, OR TURN SIGNALS (REPLACE DRL MODULE, CHANGE MOUNTING)

MODELS: 1997-98 CHEVROLET CAMARO 1997-98 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

IMPORTANT:

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS OFFERED AS A DIAGNOSTIC AID, AS THIS CONDITION IS VERY RARE, AND MAY BE DIFFICULT TO CORRECT USING NORMAL DIAGNOSTIC METHODS.

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE HEADLAMP DOORS (PONTIAC ONLY), HEADLAMPS, DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS, OR TURN SIGNALS. THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE THE HEADLAMP DOORS OPENING BY THEMSELVES, OR THE LIGHTS STAYING ON ALL THE TIME.

IMPORTANT: A SEPARATE CONDITION ON PONTIAC MODELS IS THAT THE LIGHTS COME ON, BUT THE HEADLAMP'S DOORS DO NOT OPEN. THIS CAN USUALLY BE CORRECTED BY PROPERLY TIGHTENING THE BATTERY CABLES.

CAUSE:

IN HIGH HEAT AND HUMIDITY SITUATIONS, WATER CAN CONDENSE ON THE AIR CONDITIONING DUCT AND TRAVEL INTO AND ACCUMULATE IN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) MODULE.

CORRECTION:

REPLACE THE DRL MODULE, P/N 10407669. MOUNT THE NEW MODULE WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FACING DOWN. THE MODULE IS LOCATED ON THE A/C DUCTWORK BEHIND THE RADIO AND HVAC CONTROLS (SEE THE 1997 SERVICE MANUAL, FIGURE 7, PAGE 8C-11).

1. DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.

2. REMOVE THE CENTER TRIM PLATE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

3. LOOSEN AND REPOSITION THE A/C CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND RADIO TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE DRL MODULE (MOUNTS ON THE DUCTWORK BEHIND THE RADIO AND HVAC CONTROL).

4. REMOVE THE DRL MODULE BY SLIDING THE MODULE UPWARD OFF THE MOUNTING TABS.

5. REMOVE THE CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) PINS AND DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS.

6. APPLY PROTECTIVE WRAPPING (SUCH AS A PIECE OF PLASTIC ELECTRICAL CONDUIT, FOAM RUBBER, OR MULTIPLE LAYERS OF HEAVY TAPE) TO THE EDGE OF THE I/P TIE BAR (#25 IN FIGURE 7 REFERENCED ABOVE) DIRECTLY BELOW THE MODULE. THIS WRAPPING WILL PROTECT THE WIRES FROM CHAFFING WHEN THE MODULE IS REINSTALLED WITH THE CONNECTORS IN THE DOWN POSITION.

7. CONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO THE MODULE AND REINSTALL THE CPA PINS.

8. INSTALL THE NEW MODULE TO THE A/C DUCTWORK WITH THE CONNECTORS FACING DOWN. MAKE SURE THAT THE WIRES ARE SECURELY MOUNTED SO THAT THEY CANNOT BE CHAFED.

9. REINSTALL THE RADIO, A/C CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND CENTER TRIM PANEL.

10. RECONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.

PARTS INFORMATION:

PARTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION LABOR OPERATION NUMBER DESCRIPTION TIME --------------- ----------- ---------------

N0363 DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT USE PUBLISHED MODULE - REPLACE LABOR OPERATION TIME

ADD: TO APPLY PROTECTIVE 0.1 HR WRAPPING (STEP 6)

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.