Tahoe for Yukon Taillight Swap

[jmitchell]

Well I finally pulled the trigger and ordered some Yukon taillights to swap out for my Tahoe tails. I like the look of the Yukon ones much better and they seem to compliment my Tahoe much better. The actual physical swap was fairly simple and just as straight forward as it was for the late models.

I had assumed that the wiring harness would be a simple plug and play as well but I'm having some issues I need help with. Here is what is happening:

1. The night time running lights (LED's) are working perfectly (see picture below). These are both LED on Tahoe & Yukon.

2. The reverse lights (non-LED) are working perfectly. Both non-LED on Tahoe & Yukon.

3. The brake lights (LED) are running through the yellow turn signal lights (LED) right now, so when the brakes are applied the yellow turn signals glow solid. I believe the Tahoe was non-LED and Yukon is LED for brake lights.

4. The yellow turn signals (LED) are functioning normal for the first 3 blinks, then I get an error message on the DIC that says rear blinker error/failure while the blinker continues to work but at twice the blinking speed. I believe Tahoe was non-LED and Yukon is LED for blinkers.

Based on the information above and the pictures below, what are your thoughts to get this operating properly? I'm thinking that some of the wires are just crossed right now and I need to rework the taillight harness but I haven't done much troubleshooting yet. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

Below are a bunch of pictures with descriptions for the process...

Here are the Yukon and Tahoe tails side by side. They are the exact same size and shape...

Here is the back of the Tahoe taillight with wiring shown...

Here is the back of the Yukon taillight with wiring shown...

This black plastic retainer piece will come with each of the taillights. You will not need these since they are already installed on the vehicle under the taillight (see other picture)...

Carefully remove the black plastic piece that covers the T-10 screws for the taillight assembly. This piece is held on by 3 retainer clips. Carefully start from the bottom with a flat screwdriver and pull this piece out of the 3 clips. Leave the circular rubber piece in place (do not remove)...

Here is the back of the black plastic piece with the 3 retainer clips. With it removed you can now see the 2 T-10 screws. Remove these screws and keep them for reinstalling the Yukon lights...

Here is the pocket for the taillight with the taillight removed. You have 2 T-10 screws and 2 guide pins for each taillight. You can now see the black plastic retainer piece below the light already in place ready for the Yukon tail...

Here is the harness connection which can be accessed by laying flat on the ground from underneath the taillight. Would someone be willing to take a picture of this connection on their Yukon so I can see the wiring color order please?...

One of each installed (night running lights)...

Both Yukon tails installed (night running lights)...

Final product in the daylight...

[TBaganATX]

I'm about to buy my wife a new Yukon, same color. She wants either black wheels or ones like you have. Do you mind taking a couple of pics showing ur wheels?

 

The Yukon lights look sweet BTW,.

[blackout07]

Cool. Not sure I like the new tails, but nice write up.

[goodoldcbcjohn]

Were you ever able to get these functioning properly? If so what all did you have to do?

[Frick]

I would like to do the opposite do you have the Tahoe lights for sale?

[wqasem]

Hi ... Nice idea .... I'm interested to do the same like you. But before I proceed to buy the nice 2015 Yukon tail lights, I want to check if it worked for you? Where you able to resolve the blinkers issue? And how?

 

Appreciating your kind answer and advice.

[jmitchell]

I have been working on a permanent fix for some time now for these swapped tails and I still don't have a perfect solution. I re-wired the harness to get the blinkers to work through the brake lights only (so the yellow LED's have no function) and I have tried resistors in-line with the harness and they work for a couple of months then the resistors burn out. So back to the rapid flash.

 

I currently have the Tahoe tails back in and was waiting to hear from a custom programmer to get my BCM (body control module) programmed to function like a Yukon. This is the only solution right now. Custom programming of the BCM which will require a brake pedal relearn from the dealer.

 

So as a whole right now I would suggest NOT to attempt this swap or attempt at your own risk and hopefully report back with a permanent solution.

[Dlucas0002]

With the fast flash. I didn't wire what you are but similar with a trailer. What I found that worked the longest is to add a relay...yea few more wires but you won't have the resistors melting and failing also try a higher oms if you don't want to use a relay. The relay tucks right in the hole on the drivers side tail light and reduces the hyper flash

I hope that helps.