calgaryHHR,

I think you're probably right about the heat coming from the DRL bulbs. At the very least I wouldn't think there could be a better working theory. I would replace the bulbs with LED bulbs which don't generate nearly as much heat. This will ensure that the existing problem doesn't get any worse.

Good luck.

 

I am resurrecting an old threat but this is what I noticed today on my 06:





You can see the amber plastic melted in the housing. Very strange.

I will have to replace them for sure. Good time for Depos, I guess. Do you guys think there might be any risk of fire?

Cheers,

Leo

 

I'd contact your dealer there may just be an issue with a fire hazard and with any luck they'll set up to the plate and fix this issue but don't hold your breath, and well a set of Depos would be cool

 

I will check with the dealer tomorrow. Let's see what they say...

Thanks!

 

I'm lazy and don't feel like reading this thread again.

Is it a problem with putting a wrong bulb in? Or the car supplying too much juice? Or faulty installation of the bulb?

In the past, I have seen this type of thing when the stop light bulb and the tail light bulb got mixed up.

 

None of the above. I believe it is faulty design. Everything is original in the car and while I am the car's second owner I know the previous owner and they kept everything original.

After much reading online this appears to be an issue with 06 HHRs and Malibus. GM never officially acknowledged the issue and the best fix seems to be new housings and LEDs for turn signals so they don't get as hot when used as DRLs. In 2007 they DRLs were switched to the low beams (which tells me GM did know something wasn't right!) .

I will take it to the dealership and show it to the service manager but I am sure they will offer to fix at the rate of U$90/hour and 300-plus dollars for a pair of OEM housings.

We'll see...

 

there are sets of headlamps available from members here

 

No sign of the amber lenses melting on our "06. We bought it new in Aug.'05 and it's been living in the Phoenix heat ever since. Must have been a glitch in just some cars for some reason??

 

About to start a thread when I found this, I to have a 2006 that I purchased in 2007 with 22K on it.

My passenger side is about as bad as the picture above and the drivers side is getting close.

Haven't decided on how I am going to go about repair yet, but wanted to let others know, another one has it!

 

@MikeRuth, perhaps your own would be good, in case there is something else going on, other than what the OP experienced.

Also, FWIW, you could very easily swap over to some DEPO headlights and give your HHR a cool look, and not have to fiddle with water tightness of the unit by heating it, removing and replacing the lens.