Fourth Mod - AAC P13W Plasma DRL Light "MY THOUGHTS"

[Forza]

I received my AAC P13W Amber Plasma lights in the mail over the weekend. The packaging was almost too good! The box was nicely padded with enough bubble wrap to make a floaty device for the wife in the pool when I'm done.

Next is NOT a big deal, but the lights did not come with install instructions, so I made my way over to their website & Camaro5 to find a video. If I'm going to spend $100 on a 2 lights, I would expect to have instructions, just saying. Here is the instruction video.

The lights are fairly simple to install.

1. Just turn the steering wheel to one side to make room for you to work.
2. Unscrew 3 screws in the wheel well and pull the plastic wheel well back. By doing this you will expose the factory lights.
3. I was really careful not to twist or pull too rough, I didn't want anything to break. Simply twist the original lights counter-clockwise about 1/4", and pull straight out.
4. The harness is very simple to remove. Simply squeeze the tab on the harness and it will disconnect from the original lightbulb.

Now connecting the P13W harness is another story! For the life of me, I could not get the AAC harness to fit 100% into the factory harness. It would not go in all the way and it wasn't even close to connecting & clicking together. So, I had to grab a pair of plumber pliers, and gently squeeze the 2 harnesses together as close as possible; being careful not to break any plastic or cut any wires. I did not think it would be this difficult considering the price of these lights, and considering how easy the factory lights unplugged.

The AAC harness would not "click" into position, I was worried about them disconnecting over time. So I used electrical tape and wrapped it around both connectors until I felt they would not disconnect. Not too imnpressed sorry.

I have pictures and will post them shortly. Overall I am pleased with the way the lights look. The lights are bright and look sharp with my CGM Camaro. I am not very happy with how they connect. I sure hope that tape keeps them together for a long time!

[CamaroDreams07]

They're not supposed to click into place. They are supposed to be held together by the tight fit alone. This has been discussed many many times with these and the older LED model.

I think they had some explanation why they did this (don't remember what it was now), but I always wished they had designed one that fit properly and clicked in like OEM.

[My 5th]

Mine never "clicked" either. I think some have trimmed one of the tabs with a razor knife to get it to "click", but mine have been in for a couple of months with no problems with just the "tight" fit.

[Forza]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

They're not supposed to click into place. They are supposed to be held together by the tight fit alone. This has been discussed many many times with these and the older LED model.

I think they had some explanation why they did this (don't remember what it was now), but I always wished they had designed one that fit properly and clicked in like OEM.

Older LED models? I have new new Plasma P13W model.

Even if it is a known issue for a while, AAC should be correcting it.

[gill7784]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

They're not supposed to click into place. They are supposed to be held together by the tight fit alone. This has been discussed many many times with these and the older LED model.

I think they had some explanation why they did this (don't remember what it was now), but I always wished they had designed one that fit properly and clicked in like OEM.

I couldn't disagree more. They are supposed to fit, which is evidenced by the presence of the tab on the outside of the housing which exists only for the purpose engaging into the harness clip. The should fit, but they just don't. Furthermore, it was previously posted that AAC knew about this and was "hand trimming" the tab to fit properly.

[Forza]

Pics as promised

[KMPrenger]

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my Plasmas, but why the connectors have never been made to click into place is beyond me.

[CamaroDreams07]

Originally Posted by Forza

Older LED models? I have new new Plasma P13W model.

Even if it is a known issue for a while, AAC should be correcting it.

Yes, the same issue has been going on since the original LED P13Ws they made, the ones I have on my car right now. It's carried over into the new ones and is still not corrected. AAC was hand-cutting notches in them for awhile so they would click, but I guess they stopped. I never did see how that was easier or more cost effective than just making it the right size.

Originally Posted by gill7784

I couldn't disagree more. They are supposed to fit, which is evidenced by the presence of the tab on the outside of the housing which exists only for the purpose engaging into the harness clip. The should fit, but they just don't. Furthermore, it was previously posted that AAC knew about this and was "hand trimming" the tab to fit properly.

I don't understand what you are disagreeing with. We are both saying they should click into place but don't. My first sentence was the line given to us many times by AAC- that they aren't supposed to click and they should be held in by friction. I was simply letting the OP know that he didn't have a unique case here, that ALL of the AAC P13W lights do not fit, even for the exorbitant amount they charge for two lightbulbs. His set was not any more defective than every other set that has been sold.

[Rcfiddy1]

I just got my replacement set of Plasma's. Yes replacement set, had a plasma bulb loose 1 side. I have been thru 4 sets of LEDs and figured I would try a plasma set and BAM still have a problem. I even run the Plug n Play DRL Harness so they are on all the time. Out of 5 sets of lights not 1 set ever plugged in without some modification to the base. This is last set I will try, if it goes out I am replacing them and selling the replacements....

[Forza]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

I was simply letting the OP know that he didn't have a unique case here, that ALL of the AAC P13W lights do not fit, even for the exorbitant amount they charge for two lightbulbs. His set was not any more defective than every other set that has been sold.

Thanks everyone for letting me know I'm not alone.

[CyberDan]

Originally Posted by Rcfiddy1

I just got my replacement set of Plasma's. Yes replacement set, had a plasma bulb loose 1 side. I have been thru 4 sets of LEDs and figured I would try a plasma set and BAM still have a problem. I even run the Plug n Play DRL Harness so they are on all the time. Out of 5 sets of lights not 1 set ever plugged in without some modification to the base. This is last set I will try, if it goes out I am replacing them and selling the replacements....

I'm in the same boat as you, I'm on my fourth pair of bulbs also. I too have a plasma replacement set, and one of them has started to flicker.

[Forza]

Is there a real concern about moisture buildup if I simply use electrical tape to hold the harness' together? I can't see there being an issue considering some people don't even use tape.

[CamaroDreams07]

Originally Posted by Forza

Is there a real concern about moisture buildup if I simply use electrical tape to hold the harness' together? I can't see there being an issue considering some people don't even use tape.

I didn't use anything on my original LED P13Ws from AAC- as per AAC instructions. They assured us all that the fit was tight enough that it didn't matter if it clipped in and no tape was necessary.

Almost two years later and I haven't had any problems with moisture. I don't think it's a concern at all.

[Sneeks20]

Originally Posted by Forza

I received my AAC P13W Amber Plasma lights in the mail over the weekend. The packaging was almost too good! The box was nicely padded with enough bubble wrap to make a floaty device for the wife in the pool when I'm done.

Next is NOT a big deal, but the lights did not come with install instructions, so I made my way over to their website & Camaro5 to find a video. If I'm going to spend $100 on a 2 lights, I would expect to have instructions, just saying. Here is the instruction video.

The lights are fairly simple to install.

1. Just turn the steering wheel to one side to make room for you to work.
2. Unscrew 3 screws in the wheel well and pull the plastic wheel well back. By doing this you will expose the factory lights.
3. I was really careful not to twist or pull too rough, I didn't want anything to break. Simply twist the original lights counter-clockwise about 1/4", and pull straight out.
4. The harness is very simple to remove. Simply squeeze the tab on the harness and it will disconnect from the original lightbulb.

Couldnt have said it better my self. Did the exact same thing.

[SummoneR]

Originally Posted by Forza

Is there a real concern about moisture buildup if I simply use electrical tape to hold the harness' together? I can't see there being an issue considering some people don't even use tape.

I plugged mine in today, and it's a firm fit. more firm than the factory bulb, the rubber seal is inside the plug and it slides in firmly and snugly. I don't think moisture intrusion will be an issue.