Tail Lamp Lens Sticking Out From Body – 2010-2012 Cadillac CTS Wagon

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Bulletin No.: PIC5261B Date: Mar-2015 Subject: Tail Lamp Lens Sticking Out From Body Models: 2010 – 2012 Cadillac CTS Wagon This PI was superseded to update Recommendation/Instructions/ Parts and Warranty Information. Please discard PIC5261A. The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI. Condition/Concern Some customers may comment that the tail lamp assembly sticks out from the body at the upper portion of the lens. Recommendation/Instructions As of 10/1/2012, the tail lamps for the CTS wagon were revised. The current part numbers for the left and right tail lamps are made with a different plastic material inside that will help the lamp not change shape over time and with varying solar loads. When new lamps are obtained, check the date code on the sticker on the lamps to be certain the new lamps were built on or after 10/1/2012. Use only replacement lamps that were built on 10/1/2012 or later. It is important to make sure the new lamp fits properly before bolting it down. Set the new lamp in place and look from the side for any gaps. If the lamp does not sit flush to the body, or top tip is gapped away from the end cap of the roof rail (more than the foam thickness), the lamp is NOT ready to bolt down. You must determine why it is not flush and correct that first (see below). Early vehicles had a different design end cap on the rear of the roof rails (where the lamps hook into at the top tip). If you look at the end of the roof rail end cap (with lamp removed) there is an oval-shaped slot where the lamp has a “hook” that inserts into that end cap. If the oval is all “open,” that is the first design and that will need to be replaced. If the oval has the top portion of the oval filled in, that is the second design and does NOT need to be replaced. On cars with the first design end caps, the new end caps will help with lamp fit at the top of the lamps. The red plastic “hook” at the top of the lamp that fits into the end cap is not intended to pull in and hold the lamp pulled in at the top. It is intended as a guide for installing the lamp and to hold the top tip of the lamp in only for minor variations due to solar load. If there is a large gap between the end cap and the lamp, that must be addressed before final installation of the lamp. Note: 1. . If a gap is observed between the top tip of the lamp, check and make sure that the ‘red hook’ on the top of the lamp is not cracked or broken, rendering the lamp hook ineffective. 2. During or after installation, the lamp should not be ‘pounded’ at the top tip to close the gap, as this may crack or break the red hook. The red hook at the top tip of the lamp should be properly installed to the end cap, by allowing the red hook to ‘hook’ into the end cap. When a lamp was replaced previously or when removing the lamp, the sheet metal tower where the metal clip from the lamp inserts into the body (about 4 inches from the top) may be pulled out a bit because the clip generally fits very snug and can pull that metal up with it as you pull the lamp out. If a gap was seen between the lamp body and the vehicle when setting the lamp in place, you may need to gently tap that sheet metal tower down a bit so that the lamp fits flush. Also check to make sure the clip about 4 inches down from the top of the lamp is making full engagement into the slot on the body. Note: You may need to use a longer clip than the one that came with the lamp if you must finesse the metal clip tower downward. If the sides of the slot on the body have been pushed inward, the clip will not fully engage the slot. Each edge of slot can be pulled up with a screwdriver as long as the opposite edge of the slot is supported so that it is not depressed when prying. Note: Removing bolt #2 from the rear fascia (reference photo reflected in SI doc ID 2220645) and the two push fasteners to pull the fascia out slightly will allow easier installation of the lamp assembly to avoid breaking the top J-hook during installation. Important: Make sure the upper hook and clip are engaged and the lamp sits flush to the body before fastening with three nuts. Parts Information 1 Part Number Description Qty 22979371 LAMP ASM-TAIL (L) 1 22979372 LAMP ASM-TAIL (R) 1 Warranty Information For vehicles repaired under warranty use: Labor Operation Description Labor Time 2041490 Tail Lamp Replacement Use Published Labor Operation Time Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

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