Driver Side Drl Bulb Blows Every 2 Weeks.

chas0218 · March 30, 2011

What is the trick to having the DRL not blow? Anyone know what causes it? I know this has been a problem for these trucks for quite some time.

Thanks,

Chas

jrrod2004 · March 30, 2011

What is the trick to having the DRL not blow? Anyone know what causes it? I know this has been a problem for these trucks for quite some time.

Thanks,

Chas

are you using a 12v bulb or a 14v bulb?

Silverado_Monkey · March 30, 2011

Have you tried a little dielectric grease?

[email protected] · March 30, 2011

Are you using a long life bulb, is the socket burnt, allowing the bulb to not make good contact and turn off and on while driving?

vettelovralexand · March 30, 2011

Are you touching the bulb when installing it? Meaning bare finger touching it?

chas0218 · March 30, 2011

What is the trick to having the DRL not blow? Anyone know what causes it? I know this has been a problem for these trucks for quite some time.

Thanks,

Chas

are you using a 12v bulb or a 14v bulb?

I am using whatever bulb is recommended

Have you tried a little dielectric grease?

I have replaced 2 bulbs now one with and one without...How much of a difference would the grease make?

Are you using a long life bulb, is the socket burnt, allowing the bulb to not make good contact and turn off and on while driving?

Using Slyvania Long life bulb, socket is not burnt just the bulb. Can't tell whether it turns on and off while driving but when stopped at lights it is still off.

Are you touching the bulb when installing it? Meaning bare finger touching it?

No, I am using a dry shop towel to install the bulb. I also clean it with rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip before installing it.

[email protected] · March 30, 2011

There's a problem, you say when you're stopped at lights, it's off when it should be on.

chas0218 · March 30, 2011

There's a problem, you say when you're stopped at lights, it's off when it should be on.

I pull up to the vehicle in front of me to see if there is a relfection of my DRL's. That is the only way to tell if it is on when driving.

The bulb keeps blowing every couple weeks. Its on up until it blows, after that it doesn't come back on.

jrrod2004 · March 30, 2011

There's a problem, you say when you're stopped at lights, it's off when it should be on.

I pull up to the vehicle in front of me to see if there is a relfection of my DRL's. That is the only way to tell if it is on when driving.

The bulb keeps blowing every couple weeks. Its on up until it blows, after that it doesn't come back on.

GM originally used 12V bulbs but then recommended a switch to 14V bulbs since the voltage in the DRL circuit is not always constant. there was a bulletin about this. I did the change over and have not had an issue since.

frupp · March 30, 2011

I had a 2000 Suburban and now have a 2004 Suburban. With both of those the DRL bulbs lasted at least two years, generally longer. I didn't have any problem with them blowing out frequently. When I did replace them I made extra sure that I didn't touch the bulb with my fingers and I held them with a paper towel.

As others have implied, maybe your voltage is too high. What does your volt gauge read? If it's over 14 volts regularly you should use the 14 v bulbs instead of the 12 volt bulbs. Is there any condensation inside your DRL? Maybe you have water touching the bulb glass which will blow it out instantly.

oldscsc · March 30, 2011

Try replacing the ones the truck came with with a 3114 long life bulb.

txab · March 30, 2011

Try replacing the ones the truck came with with a 3114 long life bulb.

Or the 4114 LL

Doug_Scott · March 30, 2011

I had a 2000 Suburban and now have a 2004 Suburban. With both of those the DRL bulbs lasted at least two years, generally longer. I didn't have any problem with them blowing out frequently. When I did replace them I made extra sure that I didn't touch the bulb with my fingers and I held them with a paper towel.

As others have implied, maybe your voltage is too high. What does your volt gauge read? If it's over 14 volts regularly you should use the 14 v bulbs instead of the 12 volt bulbs. Is there any condensation inside your DRL? Maybe you have water touching the bulb glass which will blow it out instantly.

Use a proper gauge to measure the voltage, this may be a simple overcharging issue.

Duelin · March 30, 2011

Check the contacts in the socket. They have a tendency to spread apart just enough to cause a high resistance and cause the bulbs to burn out. Is the base melted or burnt a little? If so that is a good sign the contacts aren't making a good contact. Sometimes you can bend them back together a little. Sometimes you can't, the contact will snap off. This usually happens when they have gotten hot and brittle from the high resistance.

SpeedyV · March 30, 2011

GM originally used 12V bulbs but then recommended a switch to 14V bulbs since the voltage in the DRL circuit is not always constant. there was a bulletin about this. I did the change over and have not had an issue since.

+1 on that.

Both of my DRL sockets were badly burnt when I bought the truck, so I purchased replacements, wired them in, and switched to higher-voltage bulbs (4114's) with plenty of grease. No problems since. Check out previous posts on this forum, such as: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83267.