That was my thought too, the in-line resistance has failed and you get unabatted or boosted current. Electrons can act like magic!

 

Actually the amber signal on the 06 is at its brightest when using the DRLs during the day. When the headlights or "fogs" are on, whether auto or manual, the ambers decrease their intensity.

 

The original headlights on my 06 never showed any signs of this. They had about 45K on them before I switched them out for the Fall Edition lamps.

 

It is interesting that you mentioned this. I don't know anything about the intensity of the DRL turn signal bulbs.

I always drive with the fog lights on.

If what you say is true my turn signal DRL are not running at full intensity. If they were running at full intensity I wonder if they would put out even more heat and cause an even worse problem.

 

Haven't noticed an issue with mine. I'll have to double check them when I leave work today.

Hearing that though, makes me glad my LED's for the front arrived today. Getting ready to switch them out.

 

This is what I would expect, but not as bright as when activating the turn signals. My curousity is peaked, I'll have to hunt down a FSM for the 2006.

Truely? I would have thought with the headlights on the Turn signal DRLs would be turned off. That is how I would have engeneered it. I have no experience with the HHR prior to 2009.

 

You have to remember this is a dual element bulb. on the 06 only, the bright element of the bulb is lite for the DRL. When the parking lights are on, the dim element is lite until the turn signals are on and then they alternate.

With the DRL on, it is the same brightness as the turn signal itselt.

 

probably not relative but: When daytime driving (in auto-headlight mode) 2008 HHR
& I use the foglights the turn signals light as well, at what looks to be full intensity, I think...... Very Bright for sure..
Least that what I see reflecting back off of other peoples cars at stop lights..

 

Slight update:

I've finally talked with a GM customer care rep (after playing a serious game of phone tag over the holidays.) He looked to see if there was anything reported or any bulletins about this sort of problem. He told me that nothing shows up for the HHR. He mentioned the only thing he could find that seemed similar was an issue with 2005 or 2006 Malibus.

He said I should book a service appointment at my local dealership to have the problem diagnosed albeit at my expense and that he would be in contact with the dealership to look into the diagnosis. There may be a way to recoup my expenses if they find that there is something inherent at fault associated with the design or components (obviously they don't want to pay if they don't have to and I don't want to pay for it either.)

I've also filed a complaint with Transport Canada for a "defect investigation" under the "Motor Vehicle Safery Act" but I just did that the other day and I don't think it has been reviewed yet (I haven't heard from someone at their office yet.)

 

I just now ran out to take a close look at the amber lens on our '06. I see no problem even though we've had the HHR well over 4 Years now. Of course it only has 19,000 miles on it, so the lights aren't on all that much.
We do have an overabundance of heat here though. That'll melt 'anything" in July and August!!