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pkmesser · 08-09-2011, 10:38 PM

007, perhaps you might move this to the headlight section of the easy tips postings. I tried, but because it is an old thread, I could not post to it.

I finally found the headlight assemblies for the 2005 Kountry Star. They are from the 1999-2002 Olds Alero, Note, some sites say they are the same up through 2004 on the Alero. A pair is on the order of $60-70 on ebay. (the number sequence on the front of the assembly was a little different that what others have posted, it is DEPO 336-1107 R&L) I had tried to find them before w/o success. (If I put OEM instead of DEPO in a search engine, they come up.)
Now, I don't know how many years each side of the 2005 Kountry Star this would apply to, but I presume they are the same for the diesel version. (mine is gas).

Romeo · 08-10-2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkmesser

I finally found the headlight assemblies for the 2005 Kountry Star. They are from the 1999-2002 Olds Alero, Note, some sites say they are the same up through 2004 on the Alero. A pair is on the order of $60-70 on ebay. (the number sequence on the front of the assembly was a little different that what others have posted, it is DEPO 336-1107 R&L) I had tried to find them before w/o success. (If I put OEM instead of DEPO in a search engine, they come up.)
Now, I don't know how many years each side of the 2005 Kountry Star this would apply to, but I presume they are the same for the diesel version. (mine is gas).

DEPO is a cheap imitation of the OEM part. And in accordance with lighting reports, does not meet testing standards and therefore provides poor lighting. For the best lighting from that type of headlight one should buy the OEM version.

If you find that the OEM part is too expensive you can try a wrecking yard for a good used part. They are a lot less expensive than a new part.

pkmesser · 08-10-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo

DEPO is a cheap imitation of the OEM part. And in accordance with lighting reports, does not meet testing standards and therefore provides poor lighting. For the best lighting from that type of headlight one should buy the OEM version.

If you find that the OEM part is too expensive you can try a wrecking yard for a good used part. They are a lot less expensive than a new part.

This is interesting in that the DEPO parts are what came from Newmar on the MH.

I am not needing any now, but had a few minutes and decided to try to find them again based on the number cast into the assembly. I believe there were OEM versions on ebay that were not too expensive.
Getting them out of a wrecking yard would mean they are old and probably have undergone the UV deteriation.
Last year I refinished several on other vehicles, this does not seem to be a good long term solution, after looking, finding new replacements on ebay seems to be a better to go.

Romeo · 08-10-2011, 02:13 PM

[QUOTE=pkmesser;927218
Getting them out of a wrecking yard would mean they are old and probably have undergone the UV deteriation.
[/QUOTE]

True, however I was able to find good lenses at the wrecking yard that had not had the UV discoloration. I did have to go through several car bodies to find them. I have heard that some of these OEM, dealer supplied lenses run as much as $300 each.

"007" · 08-10-2011, 02:16 PM

PK, There is one in there now I'll add below it, thanks.

pkmesser · 08-10-2011, 03:02 PM

Romeo, if they were pointed in a direction that did not get much sun, then that's why they were good. My wife's car is normally parked pointing west, the driver's side got very bad last year, but passenger side which did not get as much sun was still pretty good. I used one of the refinishing kits, but it is starting to fade again, so I will replace them. I was like you, thinking they were very expensive, but at least for the ones I have looked up, the replacement cost is not so bad. The tip on DEPO is good to know, thanks.
007, as I mentioned I found the subject in quick tips, but not for the KS, so thought it would be appropiate to add it there. BTW, I saw a photo of an 04 KSDP and it looks to be the same, so the Alero headlight is good for the 04 and 05 KSCA and KSDP's.