Hid Problems And '09 Silverado Problems!. Please Help!

Black.is · July 10, 2010

Hello everyone! I haven't been on here for about a year now but I've got a problem with my HIDs and I need some help. Here is what's going on:

Truck: 2009 Silverado LTZ Crew Cab 5.3L 4x4

1. I installed 6000k low beams in my '09 silverado and for a couple months now, my driver's side low beam doesn't light up all the time. When I press the unlock button on my remote, both lights fire up, then when I start my car my driver's side low beam flickers or won't fire up probably 9 out of 10 times. Do I need to replace my bulb or ballast? Is the wiring bad? They were installed by a very reputable shop who's worked on my previous 2 vehicles and has always had a good reputation around town. The installer is actually a GM service tech who used to work at a dealership so I know that he's familiar with the electrical system. Anyways, please help!!

2. My fog lights do not work at all anymore. Both of the housings have been filled with condensation since winter, probably due to the insane amount of snow we got. I ordered new fog light housings but haven't had a chance to install them yet but I was wondering what do you think I will need to replace in the HID setup in order to get them running again...I would think the bulbs need replaced?

3. The driver's side rear door has a broken lock. It will ONLY unlock manually but it will lock manually or via remote/lock button. My service tech at the dealership said this has been a pretty common problem and it's going to be fixed next week, under warranty thankfully. Anyone experience similar issues?

4. My brakes squeak when I am slowing down to a stop. It's only in the last couple seconds before the truck stops moving completely. The dealership says that there is NOTHING that they can do to fix it as there is nothing mechanically wrong or broken. They did clean out all brake dust and it still didn't stop. IT IS DRIVING ME INSANE!!!!!!! It's summer, I have my windows down all the time, and my $46,000 truck shouldn't be sounding like a beater. I know that brake squeal is not a sign that something is wrong and in some cases it is perfectly normal. But I hate it and I want it fixed. I think that most of the squeal is coming from the driver's side rear wheel brake drum. What causes squeal? How can I make it stop?

5. 85% of the time when I start my truck, there is a loud "slapping" or "clicking" noise that comes from my engine bay. For example, if you stuck a pencil into a ceiling fan's blades while it was spinning, that's about what I hear. I had that checked out too, and the dealership said there's nothing wrong AGAIN. That's a recurring theme at my dealership unfortunately. Anyone have any idea what that could be??

Thanks so much for all of the help, hopefully you guy's (and gals) can help me get all of this crap figured out!!!

Any insight would be great! thanks a lot.

zcs626 · July 10, 2010

I would highly advise turning the "entry lighting" option OFF in the DIC to prevent most likely the reasoning for your HID issue.

It is really bad for HID bulbs to be turned on, then off, then back on especially if the bulb has not fully warmed up. My advice is to start with a new bulb, I can't imagine it being the ballast. For all your other problems I would suggest trying a different dealership if one is close enough.

**edit: for your fog light bulbs, same thing - replace the bulbs only and you should be golden.

STINSAN3 · July 10, 2010

Where did you get your HID's from?

cerbomark · July 10, 2010

#4/ Brake dust building up in the drums is causing the noise. Common. You can take the wheels and drums off, clean them out and it will go away a while but will probably return when the dust builds up again. Maybe you can try a different materal brake shoe that puts out less dust.

joebob · July 12, 2010

Mine does the SAME thing it's a 2010 chatters on cold startup sometimes and brakes squealing when I stop I'd like to know why in the F### there are drums on it in the first place thats pretty chincy I think.

zcs626 · July 12, 2010

Since it's new, try the another dealer.

L76PWRD · July 12, 2010

Mine does the SAME thing it's a 2010 chatters on cold startup sometimes and brakes squealing when I stop I'd like to know why in the F### there are drums on it in the first place thats pretty chincy I think.

There is nothing wrong with drum brakes, drum brakes are perfectly suitable for your truck.

Black.is · July 20, 2010

I would highly advise turning the "entry lighting" option OFF in the DIC to prevent most likely the reasoning for your HID issue.

It is really bad for HID bulbs to be turned on, then off, then back on especially if the bulb has not fully warmed up. My advice is to start with a new bulb, I can't imagine it being the ballast. For all your other problems I would suggest trying a different dealership if one is close enough.

**edit: for your fog light bulbs, same thing - replace the bulbs only and you should be golden.

I changed that option in the DIC and it has helped a little bit. It doesn't turn off quite as much when I start the engine but it still flickers off occasionally. I plan on ordering new bulbs but I have a problem:

I ordered my HID lows and fogs from HIDgeeks. I don't know what wattage I ordered for my lows and fogs though.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT WATTAGE I HAVE? I ORDERED THE STANDARD WATTAGE BASED UPON WHAT I READ ON DIFFERENT TOPICS ON HERE BUT I FORGET!!

Thanks a lot guys!!

Black.is · July 20, 2010

Where did you get your HID's from?

HIDgeeks.com

Black.is · July 20, 2010

#4/ Brake dust building up in the drums is causing the noise. Common. You can take the wheels and drums off, clean them out and it will go away a while but will probably return when the dust builds up again. Maybe you can try a different materal brake shoe that puts out less dust.

I've done that a few times and they still squeak immediately after cleaning the dust but it's quieter. After some driving the squeal comes back full force.

Who makes good quality low-dust shoes??

Thanks for the input by the way.

jd1973 · July 20, 2010

Mine does the SAME thing it's a 2010 chatters on cold startup sometimes and brakes squealing when I stop I'd like to know why in the F### there are drums on it in the first place thats pretty chincy I think.

There is nothing wrong with drum brakes, drum brakes are perfectly suitable for your truck.

But they are a pain in the butt to maintain. Also not too good for areas with salt.

dcheeseman · July 20, 2010

The loud slapping and clicking sounds like piston slap to me. Usually hearing a slight noise from the engine bay is normal when engine is cold which usually is the lifters building up oil pressure. I would be getting that fixed, if thats the problem and I don't trust most dealership mechanics as they tend to just brush you off. Sorry to here those things your having trouble with.

Black.is · July 20, 2010

No offense to anyone but.....

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CONTINUING THE AGE-OLD DEBATE BETWEEN REAR DRUM BRAKES VS REAR DISC BRAKES.

IT IS STARTING TO HIJACK MY THREAD.

THANK YOU.

If anyone has any pertinent suggestions that could help me in solving the problems I am having it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot everyone!

zcs626 · July 20, 2010

The typical HID wattage you find in these kits are 35W and 55W.

I do not know what kit you bought from HIDgeeks, but those will be the two most common wattages. Not that it makes any difference, since we have different kits, but both my low beams and fogs are 35W kits.