2003 Chevrolet Venture: headlights failing or too dim

Filed May 13, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 204,785 miles · KY · fire

I have a 2003 chevy venture and when I purchased it, I noticed that the turn signals would start blinking real fast on the dash. When I would look at them on the outside they were blinking fine, as was the dash lights. This happened several times, so I thought that it was just the bulbs themselves. Then on march 29, 2014, I noticed a little puff of smoke come from the headlight area when my wife pulled into our driveway. I also noticed that the passenger side turn/parking light was out. I luckily had a bulb from another car to replace it, but when I took the assembly out and went to turn the connector to replace the bulb, and noticed it was hot. Thinking that something did not seem right, I let it cool down and then removed it. What I saw was the connector that holds the bulb was black and melted. It actually melted to the bulb itself. I looked at the bulb and it was still good, other than the bottom plastic part. The white smoke I had seen was either the connector catching on fire and melting or the melting of the plastic itself. I never saw any flames. I cannot afford to replace the connector, nor would I risk my family's life, so I have no turn signal. Then worse part is the driver side light was doing the same thing as the passenger, but it has since stopped and is working properly now that the passenger side bulb has been removed.

Filed Aug 13, 2012 · Lights · 120,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the rear brake lights were not functioning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the technician advised that there was condensation and moisture throughout the front headlights and the rear brake lights. The technician stated that the headlight cover would have to be replaced but advised that the failure would continue to recur. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2008 · Electrical · NY

Numerous electrical problems both headlights replaced one under warranty, both heated mirrors replaced, one under warranty, battery replaced under warranty,, dash lights blink off and on gas gauge shows full most of the time and at other times goes to empty, sometimes will show correct fuel left in tank. Vehicle occasionally locks itself, have to keep an extra key handy.

Filed May 26, 2007 · Lights · 37,000 miles · TX

The headlight & turn signal assemblies on the van continued to accumulate condensation in them. This has been going on for about 2 years now. The dealer will not fix it, stating it was cosmetic, and did not interfere with safe operation of the vehicle. We took it friday to get it inspected and it failed inspection. The cause of failure was contaminated light assemblies. We contacted the dealership from whom we bought the van, and was informed they would not do anything about it. The did admitted that they had several others with the same problem. They suggested we contact you. I removed the water from the headlight assemblies and got the van inspected again today. It did pass, but I felt certain condensation will be back again soon. I realized this may not appear to be a substantial problem, but it did interfere with the night vision capabilities. As I said earlier, this was not the first time I have removed water from the headlight assemblies on this van.

Filed Apr 17, 2007 · Lights · NE

I filed a complaint already on a similar problem, odi number 10177955 on 1/5/2007 in which I had problems with condensation on the inside of my headlamps, making it difficult to see at night. The condensation now LED to the driver's side halogen bulb exploding inside the headlight housing due to water accumulating inside the assembly splashing onto the bulb. There is no way to remove the glass from the exploded bulb from the inside of the headlight housing and there is no way to stop the condensation. I had to pay $180 for a new driver's side headlight housing. The passenger side headlamp has condensation forming inside. I am certain that I will have to replace the housing on the passenger side as well.

Filed Jan 5, 2007 · Lights · 56,000 miles · NE

Both headlights have condensation forming on the inside. This will cause the headlights to be less effective.

Filed Oct 24, 2006 · Lights · 10 miles · GA

Left front headlight fills with water and fogs up the lens cover thus hindering the beam of the headlight. Water literally stands in the light so much that when you bring the vehicle to a stop with the lights on, the beam is like an ocean wave. I have returned it to the dealership but they say they all do that and there is no remedy. We have been told to drill a hole in the casing to drain the water. My vehicle was bought new in june 2003. This has been a problem from the beginning. It is getting progressively worse. Water is now standing inside the lens. What happens when the freezing temperatures come? Will my light freeze and burst? 2 of my family members also own ventures and this seems to be a problem for them also. I have noticed other ventures parked in parking lots and some of them also have a fogged up left headlight lens. I truly feel that gm should fix this problem. It has been this was since I drove it off the lot brand new. Surely a company with as much technology as gm has they could come up with a remedy for this "leaking light". It really hinders your vision using the headlights. Its like having a headlight out. Standing water is also hard on the headlight bulbs. Will this eventually cause an electrical short or possibly a fire at some point?

Filed Aug 21, 2006 · Lights · 55,000 miles · TN

Dt*: the contact stated condensation built up inside the headlights causing the bulb to blow. The contact has replaced the bulbs three times.