[KingOfLacs]

Is there a thread on replacement one of mine is dead and its driving me crazy. It looks like I have to remove the bumper correct?

 

[Rboughne1]

Some guys can supposedly replace that peanut light from the top without removing the light, and by proxy the bumper, at all, simply by reaching in past the radiator support and down into the side cover of the light bucket. I don't see how it can be done w/o having the hands of a 7 y/o old Malaysian girl, but a couple guys on here bragged about their ability to do so. B-sh!t I say...

When I last removed my front bumper to drill my light buckets to remove the condensation, I was also going to replace my burned out daytime running light, or peanut light. Even with the entire light assembly completely removed from the vehicle, replacement of the peanut light looked to be about a [email protected] It's located in a tight spot in the headlight bucket, without much surface area to get a good purchase on it to twist or turn to remove it. I read multiple threads somewhere on here outlining what looked to be a success rate of 1:10 in replacing the peanut light without breaking the clips/tabs that hold it in, so much so that when my left one burned out, I just found it easier to disconnect the right as well. Now they'll always match. I've read multiple anecdotes on here where owners looking to replace the peanut light themselves found that their GM CERTIFIED mechanic broke the tabs holding the light in on a prior replacement, finding it was just rammed back in the hole with tape, and THAT seems to be the overwhelming outcome of the majority of home replacements described on here. Broken tabs with tape rammed in the hole. No thanks.

That being said, if someone here can highlight the "secret" or trick to the removal and replacement of these lights, I'd LOVE to know. Secrets such as "which way to turn," or "how far to push," and/or "what tool best fits in both the recess and at the awkward angle required to get purchase on the light's base to turn/push it one way or the other. THAT'D be useful information to the point I MAY consider replacement when I next remove the front bumper...

 

[carter's_sts]

Did you mean the peanut light or the amber DRL/Turn Signal?

If the latter, you can get to it from underneath the car after removing the plastic splash guard. Just a bunch of plastic retainers. Easy.

Some people turn the wheels one direction and take out the plastic in the wheel well.

 

[2007blackbty]

Peanut light,use side trap door.will take 2 minutes and be done

 

[Rboughne1]

Let us know how easy it is to get to that trap door, then how easy it is to unloose the base of the bulb, KingofLacs!

Im saying cant be done...

 

[Rboughne1]

blkbty, which way is the light base rotated to disengage the tabs? i tried to loosen it with the light bucket out and it wouldnt budge!

 

[ChurchSTSV]

Peanut light,use side trap door.will take 2 minutes and be done

Please explain

 

[2007blackbty]

Ok,my peanut light went out.went on this forum and found out that u can use the side door.went to my buddys shop with the bulb,he popped the hood took side door off put his hand in and pulled bulb out.put new bulb in,closed side door and said that was hard.took him like 2 minutes.that was 3 years ago,still no pro

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Problem.now the messed up part.when he put the trap door back on,he screwed up the foam gasket on the door and first time it rained I got water in head light and shorted out the ballast.so new trap door with foam gasket,Cadillac said it was last one in the country,used ballast off ebay$70,trap door was like $50,new head light bulbs,$70 each from auto zone, my buddys cost.so $260 because of a $2 bulb and my buddy trying to be cocky and be fast.the reason I got 2 headlights is because I thought that was the problem but it was the ballast and I was not gonna replace 1 headlight to new when the other 1 was 5 years old.so the trap door is very possible,just becarful.sorry asked my buddy and he doesn't remember details.

 

[Ludacrisvp]

Ok,my peanut light went out.went on this forum and found out that u can use the side door.went to my buddys shop with the bulb,he popped the hood took side door off put his hand in and pulled bulb out.put new bulb in,closed side door and said that was hard.took him like 2 minutes.that was 3 years ago,still no pro

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Problem.now the messed up part.when he put the trap door back on,he screwed up the foam gasket on the door and first time it rained I got water in head light and shorted out the ballast.so new trap door with foam gasket,Cadillac said it was last one in the country,used ballast off ebay$70,trap door was like $50,new head light bulbs,$70 each from auto zone, my buddys cost.so $260 because of a $2 bulb and my buddy trying to be cocky and be fast.the reason I got 2 headlights is because I thought that was the problem but it was the ballast and I was not gonna replace 1 headlight to new when the other 1 was 5 years old.so the trap door is very possible,just becarful.sorry asked my buddy and he doesn't remember details.

This is why you can't half-ass it by trying to open and close that access door while the assembly is still in the car. You will ruin something or fail to re-seal it properly.

 

[Guy.Seminerio]

If he's saying DRL he means the amber one. Easily done by removing the front wheel well liner on the side you need to replace.

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Turn the wheel all the way to the right if it's the left side, and vice versa.

 

[tailor.one]

The peanut light everyone is referring to is actually the parking light. LED's for that bulb look by far and away much better, a much whiter light. The DRL's/turn signals are just above the fog lights. The DRL's can
be accessed by removing the plastic inner fenders. The parking lights are accessible only by removing the
bumper cover, headlight bucket and corresponding hatch, a major pita!!

 

[KingOfLacs]

The light I am referring to is the one in the headlight looks like a 194 bulb.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/superjim1944/Bruce- 2008 STS V/P5200045.jpg

 

[Ludacrisvp]

To replace any lamps inside the headlight assembly you need to remove the front bumper cover.
For the lamps inside the turn signal area you can do that by turning the wheels (although I've always needed to lift the car too to actually do anything).

The "194" lamp you mention is not a DRL its basically a white parking light / city light / peanut light.
A lot of people have decided to do a couple things with this lamp, leave it dead, replace with LED, replace with 194 lamp and complain about it not matching the color of the HIDs.
Mine have been dead for >2 years now, I think I'm going to get some amber LEDs to put in that location, but I'm not sure how good / bad it will really look.

Here is the list of lamps around the car as best as I can tell based on personal knowledge and research:

Headlight:
▬▬
| O | -- 9005/HB3 (12.8v @ 65w) or D1S HID (85v AC @ 35w)
| O | -- H11 (12.8v @ 55w)
| o| -- W5WB50X2 (13.5v @ 5w) [the "194" lamps are only 12.8v @ 3.5w]
▬▬

Front DRL / Turn Signal (only 1 filament is used): [There are a lot of different lamps that work here, not sure what one is official but those are all cross compatible from what I can tell]
▬▬
| | -- 3157A/4157A/3757A/4757A (12.8v @ 27w/8.3w)
▬▬

Fog Light:

▬▬
| O | -- H3 (12.8v @ 55w) - This may be a different lamp for the V series.
▬▬

2 Reverse lamps - 3157/4157/3757 (12.8v @ 27w/8.3w)
2 License Plate lamps - W5W/2825 (13.5v @ 5w)
2 Front Side Marker lamps - W5W/2825 (13.5v @ 5w)
2 Rear Side Marker lamps - W5W/2825 (13.5v @ 5w)
2 Front Overhead Dome Lights - W5W/2825 (13.5v @ 5w)
2 Front footwell lamps - W5W/2825 (13.5v @ 5w)
2 Rear Overhead Dome Lights - W5W/2825 (13.5v @ 5w)
2 Bottom of Door when you open - 906 (13v @ 9w)
4 Vanity (mirror) lamps - TS-14V1.5CP (12.8v @ 1w) mini-festoon/barrel lamp
1 Trunk lamp - TS-211-2 (12.8v @ 12.4w) festoon/barrel lamp

1 Glove box lamp - unknown lamp

 

[KingOfLacs]

Thank you thats exactly what I needed to know for sure. The bumper cover has to come off forget about it.

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On a side note replaced all interior lights with leds looks really good. All of them were 194 bulbs in case anyone wanted to do this mod took about 30 minutes.

 

[1BadCadSTS]

Thank you thats exactly what I needed to know for sure. The bumper cover has to come off forget about it. ---------- On a side note replaced all interior lights with leds looks really good. All of them were 194 bulbs in case anyone wanted to do this mod took about 30 minutes.

Peanut city light in the headlamp corner can be replaced by removing the fuse box or air box and removing the side access door. Not easy and it's tight but I've done it several times.

 

[Rboughne1]

Peanut city light in the headlamp corner can be replaced by removing the fuse box or air box and removing the side access door. Not easy and it's tight but I've done it several times.

So which way to turn light from tabs without breaking them like the dealer techs do? I had the light OUT and it was such a narrow spot that I was worried about breaking the tabs coming out, and getting my hand in to replace the old.

 

[KingOfLacs]

its a bitch but can be done without the bumper cover off tight fit wish i had smaller hands when it comes to shit like this.

 

[Rboughne1]

It's a bitch with the headlight bucket OUT of the car. That's why I said F it and just disconnected the good one on the other side.

 

[KingOfLacs]

I got it back together took me a while still think it was faster than taking the bumper off. can be done though also be very careful when taking the bulb out those tabs are extremely brittle and break really easy.