2016 GMC HEADLIGHTS IN A 2015

zmnypit · January 18, 2016

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/153974-swap-2014-sle-headlights-for-slt-w-leds/page-20

bwh2003 · January 18, 2016

I checked at the dealer this morning and the 2016 HD HID headlamp assembly is a direct drop in replacement for the 2015 models. The headlamp assembly is a different part number (assume for the HID projector) and the wiring harness is slightly different. I forgot to check if the BCM is the same between 2015 and 2016 HD models. If the BCM wiring is the same, a simple harness to fire the igniters and ballasts should make a factory HID set up possible. I am going to try to purchase the headlamps at dealer cost and see if this mod can be done. I would rather have factory HIDs then all the aftermarket crap people have constant problems with.

Does anyone know, if the BCM turns out to be the same, is it possible to use a 2016 HD flash assuming the options on the 2016 exactly match the 2015.5?

zmnypit · January 18, 2016

This has already been checked on. The mounting points are different on the 2016 versus the 2014/15, the harness is different as well from the 2014/15 trucks, the BCM has had changes as well from the 2014/15 trucks and there is wiring that runs to the BCM that the 214/15 trucks don't have as well.

Long story short, unless a miracle comes in the 2016 headlight assemblies will not fit into the 2014/15 trucks. I could see maybe trying to swap just the bulb into the fixture, but I am sure the projector and the reflector have been re-designed for the new LED bulb and the light pattern and cutoff will not be correct if you swap just the LED bulb.

I also asked the GM lighting engineer about this very question a couple of months ago, he said there absolutely no way you can retro the 2016 lights into the 2014/15 trucks. GM designed the lights like this for this very reason to kill any chance of backwards compatibility due to all of the certification processes the lights have to go thru with the .gov to meet DOT requirements.

I have a friend that bought a 16 SLT and from what I can tell the headlights/mounting points are the same. I haven't taken them out yet as he just bought it but I have looked at them up and down. However there are 2 different lights in the 16s. The SLE has HID lights with center tunr signal where the 16 SLT has LED intellibeam headlights and the turn signal is part of the LED DRL. The intellibeam part probably wont work as programming would be involved but there should be no reason the headlights don't work with the correct harness.

These same GM lighting engineers also said the 14-15 LED DRL lights wouldn't work in the SLE's. We see how true that was.

I checked at the dealer this morning and the 2016 HD HID headlamp assembly is a direct drop in replacement for the 2015 models. The headlamp assembly is a different part number (assume for the HID projector) and the wiring harness is slightly different. I forgot to check if the BCM is the same between 2015 and 2016 HD models. If the BCM wiring is the same, a simple harness to fire the igniters and ballasts should make a factory HID set up possible. I am going to try to purchase the headlamps at dealer cost and see if this mod can be done. I would rather have factory HIDs then all the aftermarket crap people have constant problems with.

Does anyone know, if the BCM turns out to be the same, is it possible to use a 2016 HD flash assuming the options on the 2016 exactly match the 2015.5?

Check the link I posted. Harness in the works for the 16 SLE lights first.

bwh2003 · January 18, 2016

I have a friend that bought a 16 SLT and from what I can tell the headlights/mounting points are the same. I haven't taken them out yet as he just bought it but I have looked at them up and down. However there are 2 different lights in the 16s. The SLE has HID lights with center tunr signal where the 16 SLT has LED intellibeam headlights and the turn signal is part of the LED DRL. The intellibeam part probably wont work as programming would be involved but there should be no reason the headlights don't work with the correct harness.

These same GM lighting engineers also said the 14-15 LED DRL lights wouldn't work in the SLE's. We see how true that was.

Check the link I posted. Harness in the works for the 16 SLE lights first.

You are looking at the 1500's, I was trying to cover all options for HIDs by looking at the 2500 models. The 2500 still uses the old headlight design which I prefer.

zmnypit · January 18, 2016

You are looking at the 1500's, I was trying to cover all options for HIDs by looking at the 2500 models. The 2500 still uses the old headlight design which I prefer.

Right. Therefore putting the new headlight style in the 2500 would be like swapping the 14-15 for the new style. The 16 SLE light is going to be the easiest to swap. Its HID with no intellibeam. Gen 5 is supposed to be working on a harness to allow this swap.

Arth · January 18, 2016

Read through some of the thread you posted.

Wonder if they'll work on harnesses for both headlights. Obviously as you've said the HID headlight is cheaper and an easier swap to the 14-15 thanks to the halogen turn signal.

Should be fun to see what they come out with depending on demand.

Right. Therefore putting the new headlight style in the 2500 would be like swapping the 14-15 for the new style. The 16 SLE light is going to be the easiest to swap. Its HID with no intellibeam. Gen 5 is supposed to be working on a harness to allow this swap.

TJay74 · January 18, 2016

I checked at the dealer this morning and the 2016 HD HID headlamp assembly is a direct drop in replacement for the 2015 models. The headlamp assembly is a different part number (assume for the HID projector) and the wiring harness is slightly different. I forgot to check if the BCM is the same between 2015 and 2016 HD models. If the BCM wiring is the same, a simple harness to fire the igniters and ballasts should make a factory HID set up possible. I am going to try to purchase the headlamps at dealer cost and see if this mod can be done. I would rather have factory HIDs then all the aftermarket crap people have constant problems with.

Does anyone know, if the BCM turns out to be the same, is it possible to use a 2016 HD flash assuming the options on the 2016 exactly match the 2015.5?

No way to flash a 2016 BCM calibration into a 2014/15 BCM, the calibration is VIN specific and program will only flash the calibration for your VIN into the BCM which is also VIN tied to your VIN. GM eliminated the loop hole of being able to get a VIN from another truck and using it starting on the 2014 trucks.

I have a friend that bought a 16 SLT and from what I can tell the headlights/mounting points are the same. I haven't taken them out yet as he just bought it but I have looked at them up and down. However there are 2 different lights in the 16s. The SLE has HID lights with center tunr signal where the 16 SLT has LED intellibeam headlights and the turn signal is part of the LED DRL. The intellibeam part probably wont work as programming would be involved but there should be no reason the headlights don't work with the correct harness.

These same GM lighting engineers also said the 14-15 LED DRL lights wouldn't work in the SLE's. We see how true that was.

Check the link I posted. Harness in the works for the 16 SLE lights first.

While maybe so on the mounting points and maybe someone can get the harness modified, still wont get you around the BCM calibration which is different as well. Believe me, I have dealt with these engineers for 2 years now. They are very well aware of what we can accomplish as they read and follow these forums as well. The info on these forums factors into the changes they have made to insure that new design features are being done that are not going to be backwards compatible. I went into detail with them on doing what would be needed on a harness only change when he said there was not only BCM programming changes but there is also harness changes that go all the way back to the BCM that were added as well to the new lights.

Not trying to be the buzz kill, just the bearer of bad news.

So while you may be able to mount the light, change the harness you wont be able to flash the BCM in a 2014/15 truck with the needed calibration from a 2016 BCM. That part wont happen at the GM/Dealer level no matter what.

TenofMe · January 18, 2016

No way to flash a 2016 BCM calibration into a 2014/15 BCM, the calibration is VIN specific and program will only flash the calibration for your VIN into the BCM which is also VIN tied to your VIN. GM eliminated the loop hole of being able to get a VIN from another truck and using it starting on the 2014 trucks.

While maybe so on the mounting points and maybe someone can get the harness modified, still wont get you around the BCM calibration which is different as well. Believe me, I have dealt with these engineers for 2 years now. They are very well aware of what we can accomplish as they read and follow these forums as well. The info on these forums factors into the changes they have made to insure that new design features are being done that are not going to be backwards compatible. I went into detail with them on doing what would be needed on a harness only change when he said there was not only BCM programming changes but there is also harness changes that go all the way back to the BCM that were added as well to the new lights.

Not trying to be the buzz kill, just the bearer of bad news.

So while you may be able to mount the light, change the harness you wont be able to flash the BCM in a 2014/15 truck with the needed calibration from a 2016 BCM. That part wont happen at the GM/Dealer level no matter what.

No need for BCM programming. All the lights fire individually on +12v, just like the '14-'15 lights. There is no "logic" in the new headlights, except to control the LED's (again, like the '14 and '15). The lights don't "talk" to the BCM in any way, except through voltage (not data), to detect a bad bulb.

A wiring harness with relays can absolutely be made to work, once the function of each headlight wire is identified. It will probably take Gen5 15 minutes to sort this out.

That being said, I really don't like the new design. Looks less masculine that the older design. I just want the HID bulbs and projectors out of the '16 SLE, or HD's, and keep my '15 LED housings.

zmnypit · January 18, 2016

No way to flash a 2016 BCM calibration into a 2014/15 BCM, the calibration is VIN specific and program will only flash the calibration for your VIN into the BCM which is also VIN tied to your VIN. GM eliminated the loop hole of being able to get a VIN from another truck and using it starting on the 2014 trucks.

While maybe so on the mounting points and maybe someone can get the harness modified, still wont get you around the BCM calibration which is different as well. Believe me, I have dealt with these engineers for 2 years now. They are very well aware of what we can accomplish as they read and follow these forums as well. The info on these forums factors into the changes they have made to insure that new design features are being done that are not going to be backwards compatible. I went into detail with them on doing what would be needed on a harness only change when he said there was not only BCM programming changes but there is also harness changes that go all the way back to the BCM that were added as well to the new lights.

Not trying to be the buzz kill, just the bearer of bad news.

So while you may be able to mount the light, change the harness you wont be able to flash the BCM in a 2014/15 truck with the needed calibration from a 2016 BCM. That part wont happen at the GM/Dealer level no matter what.

You dont need the BCM flashed. You just wont have the intellibeam feature which isn't a problem as you will just manually take the lights off bright. Other than that and a resistor to prevent hyperflash in the LED blinkers there's no reason it wont work.

zmnypit · January 18, 2016

Read through some of the thread you posted.

Wonder if they'll work on harnesses for both headlights. Obviously as you've said the HID headlight is cheaper and an easier swap to the 14-15 thanks to the halogen turn signal.

Should be fun to see what they come out with depending on demand.

The plan was or is to get the 16 SLE lights to work first since they are HID only and good bit cheaper then move on to the SLT lights unless someone buys a set and ships them to gen5. You want to be the first?

https://www.gmpartsnortheast.com/index.php?p=cart

zmnypit · January 18, 2016

I checked at the dealer this morning and the 2016 HD HID headlamp assembly is a direct drop in replacement for the 2015 models. The headlamp assembly is a different part number (assume for the HID projector) and the wiring harness is slightly different. I forgot to check if the BCM is the same between 2015 and 2016 HD models. If the BCM wiring is the same, a simple harness to fire the igniters and ballasts should make a factory HID set up possible. I am going to try to purchase the headlamps at dealer cost and see if this mod can be done. I would rather have factory HIDs then all the aftermarket crap people have constant problems with.

Does anyone know, if the BCM turns out to be the same, is it possible to use a 2016 HD flash assuming the options on the 2016 exactly match the 2015.5?

email GEN5. The sooner he has some lights to test the quicker we will get them. http://www.gen5diy.com/GMC/Sierra/NON-SLT-to-SLT-Headlamp-harness/

Arth · January 18, 2016

Shoot I am not afraid to be the first but I refuse to buy them new at full price. I'll do like what l did back in 2013 with my Ram, wait till a set appears on eBay and snatch them up.

Then I'll pin out the connector, if that isn't public knowledge through GM, and pass along information as needed.

I was the first to have the 2013 Projector headlights from Ram on my 09 so this is something I've done before.

The plan was or is to get the 16 SLE lights to work first since they are HID only and good bit cheaper then move on to the SLT lights unless someone buys a set and ships them to gen5. You want to be the first?

https://www.gmpartsnortheast.com/index.php?p=cart

zmnypit · January 18, 2016

Shoot I am not afraid to be the first but I refuse to buy them new at full price. I'll do like what l did back in 2013 with my Ram, wait till a set appears on eBay and snatch them up.

Then I'll pin out the connector, if that isn't public knowledge through GM, and pass along information as needed.

I was the first to have the 2013 Projector headlights from Ram on my 09 so this is something I've done before.

I hear ya. I've been looking myself. It took awhile for the SLT lights to hit ebay so they will in time. if I knew I could sell my SLT lights for around $1300-1500 I'd probably buy the new ones. I wouldn't feel so bad then. The GM wiring diagram with pin out is already online as well as the part numbers for the new round plug GM is using.

bwh2003 · January 18, 2016

No way to flash a 2016 BCM calibration into a 2014/15 BCM, the calibration is VIN specific and program will only flash the calibration for your VIN into the BCM which is also VIN tied to your VIN. GM eliminated the loop hole of being able to get a VIN from another truck and using it starting on the 2014 trucks.

While maybe so on the mounting points and maybe someone can get the harness modified, still wont get you around the BCM calibration which is different as well. Believe me, I have dealt with these engineers for 2 years now. They are very well aware of what we can accomplish as they read and follow these forums as well. The info on these forums factors into the changes they have made to insure that new design features are being done that are not going to be backwards compatible. I went into detail with them on doing what would be needed on a harness only change when he said there was not only BCM programming changes but there is also harness changes that go all the way back to the BCM that were added as well to the new lights.

Not trying to be the buzz kill, just the bearer of bad news.

So while you may be able to mount the light, change the harness you wont be able to flash the BCM in a 2014/15 truck with the needed calibration from a 2016 BCM. That part wont happen at the GM/Dealer level no matter what.

Does the BCM match the VIN of the PCM once installed or is it only for software flashing purposes? I was only asking if it was possible to take a 2016 BCM with a flash of a 2016 truck on it with like options and install it in a 2015.

Side note, I agree with the reply below that the BCM is merely a 12 volt on/off switch for the headlights. As long as the BCM is the same, we would only need to figure out how GM wired in the ballasts and associated hardware.

TJay74 · January 18, 2016

All modules are VIN tied to your VIN, one of the way GM got rid of pulling a VIN from another truck with features you wanted and having the dealer flash the module from the other VIN. The system will only program the modules in your truck with the latest calibration GM has on file for your VIN for those modules, same if you replace a module.

I will be surprised if this works, you all say the BCM isn't involved but is somewhat is in the fact that it controls the voltage output to the wiring to the lights. If the new LED lights need a specific voltage higher than 12v how do you plan on correcting that? Remember that was one of the changes to the 2014 and early 15 trucks was to change the bulbs out and bump the voltage in the BCM to 14v for the new lights.