driving light bulbs

marpel · November 9, 2012

I've had a Sierra 1500 for ten years and at about 3-4 years the right driving light bulb went out (no damage, just burnt out). However the left side bulb continued for the rest of the life of the truck. Since the one went out, I started to notice a seemingly unusual high number of other GMC and Chev trucks running with a single light Of course, the more I began to notice this, the more I began to pay attention, however, I have not observed the same with any other truck brand. I have also seen trucks that can't be any more than a couple years old, with one light. Is there a problem with GMC/Chev trucks in this area?

Carder09 · November 9, 2012

Bulbs are not forever. Could just be a coincident that it is happening. If this was a major problem and it was causing serious problems, Chevy or GM would probably have done something to correct the issue; Replacing the bulbs is not too hard to do so I see no problem with it.

waumo1 · November 10, 2012

If this is the same as our 2002 Yukon, it is just a $1.50 bulb, no big deal.

j-ten-ner · November 11, 2012

Got my truck for 1 year now and changed each side already.

Expensive at 30 bucks a pop.

Well...

so long

j-ten-ner

marpel · November 11, 2012

I understand that bulbs are not forever, and they cost about a buck and a half, and don't have a problem with either. My point was that since I had one last only 3-4 years and the other last at least ten, I started noticing that there were a lot of Chev/GMCs driving around with a single light burnt out - way more than a Ford or Ram and was just wondering if there was an issue with Chev/GMC in this respect. It's like you don't notice red 2 door cars until someone says look for a red 2 door car and all of a sudden they're all over the place. Give it a couple weeks and look for one eyed Chev/GMCs and perhaps you'll agree.

Marv

waumo1 · November 11, 2012

Yes I've noticed the number with one DTRL out also. Part I think is the that bulbs are on any time the vehicle is running and that is a lot of hours compared to a parking lamp for most drivers. Second is bulbs are junk these days like most other price point items. I still have some original lamps in my 69/70 Pontiacs and I've already lost lamps in all the new vehicles. Third is that on our 2002 Yukon, one bulb burned out and was replaced. When the other side went out after about 6-7 years, I found the socket contacts were burned up and I had to replace the socket.

fuse · January 1, 2014

I have noticed that for the past 3 or 4 years that many new trucks even less than a year old have a driver light out or a taillight. What is up with that. I have seen too many for it just to be a burned out light problem. Yesterday a co worker of mine was following behind me on our way to work and I noticed that one of his driving (fog) lamps was out. That truck is only about 1 year old. I think they are putting cheap bulbs in at the factory.

00Silverado4x4 · January 1, 2014

In my generation truck, the DRL bulbs were always blowing out. I've gone through a few sets now. The rest of the bulbs have been decent. I only lost one factory low beam headlight just a few months ago. However on the newer models of ALL vehicles around here seem to have issues with bulbs. I constantly see head or tail/brake lights out on brand new looking vehicles. Craziness.