Rear Lamp Tech and Clear Lamp Facelift (1 Viewer)

[teleskier]

Just went thought some troubleshooting on the clear lamp facelift on 07 GX470 and thought I'd post what I found. The facelift involves changing the amber 8155160730 (Pontiac aztec) lamps to clear lamp housings. There are 2 later model year versions - Normal 8155160860 - OR mildly tinted (aka sport) 8155160870

2002-2007

• The upper clear bulb is part number 9098113043. This bulb has only one filament in it and only turns on when turn signal is on the lens is amber so you have an amber light.
• The upper socket with a connection to the harness for the 02-07 is part number 8155513530. They look similar across all years, but there is something different about it with the way the wires map to the lower bulbs in the amber housings.
• The lower 2 bulbs have two filaments and are part number 9098113044. One filament is on with headlight switch on, the other filament triggers with braking. The filaments can break independent from one another and lead to lights being on but not intensifying with braking OR only turning on when braking - just depends on what filament breaks.
• The lower 2 bulb sockets are part number 8155513510. This is the same across all years

2007-2009

• The upper bulb is amber and is part number 9098115011. This bulb has only one filament in it and only turns on when turn signal is on. Amber bulb in clear housing. = amber light,
• The upper socket with a connection to the harness for the 07-09 is part number 8155560860. They look similar across all years, but there is something different about it with the way the wires map to the lower bulbs.
• The lower 2 bulbs have one filament and are part number 9098113043. I don't have this model vehicle so cannot comment on its behavior, but the filament is much heavier in this bulb, perhaps for higher voltage when braking. Not clear on this. Someone els may confirm if you have this vehicle to check.
• The lower 2 bulb sockets are part number 8155513510. This is the same across all years

Facelift your 02-07 with newer clear lamps:

If you facelift your 02-07 to the newer lamp housings (Normal 8155160860 OR tinted sport 8155160870), you will need to get not only the amber bulbs (9098115011) but also the sockets for 07-09 - part number (8155560860). Retain your dual filament bulbs for the lower 2 lamps 9098113044. Single filament bulbs do not work in the lower sockets on a 02-07. When doing this upgrade, replace all your lower sockets as well as they be come brittle and can break off when trying to pull socket from lamp.