2015 Sierra Headlamps, dealer looking for an easy fix

Beer Belly · August 29, 2016

So, while in for a recent service, I ran into my salesman who asked how I like the truck.....every time I see him I tell him "Love the truck,still can't see at night"....he knows that this has been a complaint since day one, and has tried to get GM to kick in (no luck, of course) for a fix. He asked if I have found a way to improve it...I told him that a lot of guys are going with LED bulbs, and all that is needed is to modify the bulb, and it can be done for less that $100....he wants me to send him info, so he can bring it to his manager, and for $100, he can probably get it done. Now, if the dealer agrees to do this, I'm thinking there won't be any warranty issues...I hope. So, my question (finally), what is it I'm looking for ??....what bulb are you guys finding that work the best ??...I'm hoping for an answer to avoid searching thru 200 threads....please

nfisherman · August 29, 2016

Read the Headlight Illumination Issues topic. Somewhere in there you'll find a service bulletin from GM that addresses the issue. Basically, the dealer increases the headlight voltage by reprogramming the BCM and installs new bulbs.If you want to skip the reading, just tell the dealer to find the service bulletin. Any dealer should be able to find it.

WLC · August 29, 2016

Bulletin helps a little.Had it done to both of my trucks. I went with LEDs in headlights and fog lights and led aux lights to be able to see at night. Sad but GM changed the lights in 2016. Too late for lots of us.

Beer Belly · August 29, 2016

Bulletin helps a little.Had it done to both of my trucks. I went with LEDs in headlights and fog lights and led aux lights to be able to see at night. Sad but GM changed the lights in 2016. Too late for lots of us.

My salesman said if I "Could find info on which bulbs are being modded to fit the housing, and solves the issue, he will pitch it to his sales manager and try to get it done at their expense"......this would be my final shot at getting it done. So, if this worked for you, can you please give me the info on what you used ??.....I know I could try and read thru 100+ threads, but my head would hit the keyboard after the third page,

nfisherman · August 29, 2016

Your dealer, if competent, should be able to find the service bulletin for you. Talk to the service department, not the salesman. If it were my truck, I would want the dealer to perform the service bulletin so that the headlight voltage is increased. You might also be satisfied with the factory-approved upgraded bulbs. After that, you could modify a different bulb on your own, if you want to.

Beer Belly · August 30, 2016

Your dealer, if competent, should be able to find the service bulletin for you. Talk to the service department, not the salesman. If it were my truck, I would want the dealer to perform the service bulletin so that the headlight voltage is increased. You might also be satisfied with the factory-approved upgraded bulbs. After that, you could modify a different bulb on your own, if you want to.

They did all the upgrades and bulletins.

Test Alpha · August 30, 2016

Here's a copy...

Beer Belly · August 30, 2016

Here's a copy...

Yes, dealer has done this. Some here have installed either LED, or HID Bulbs that provided adequate lighting, all that was needed was to trim the tabs on the Bulbs.....this is the info I'm trying to find.....I just can't read thru over 100 pages without getting cross eyed.

truckguy82 · August 30, 2016

I have had the dealer headlight fix performed and i really can't imagine how anyone would think they are not adequate.

Either some of the dealers are doing it wrong (possibly not upping the voltage?) or the owners just want a crisp line of white light.

One would seriously have to be out of their mind to drive my truck and think the light output is unsafe compared to other vehicles.

Anybody know if these upgraded bulbs would work if the dealer just threw them in without increasing the voltage to them? Makes sense why so many are still complaining.

Beer Belly · August 30, 2016

Maybe it's the conditions I'm driving in that may be different.....winding back roads....wooded on either side....narrow.....no lighting....up and down hills....freakin' deer everywhere....and on a rainy night, absolutely terrible

truckguy82 · August 30, 2016

Maybe it's the conditions I'm driving in that may be different.....winding back roads....wooded on either side....narrow.....no lighting....up and down hills....freakin' deer everywhere....and on a rainy night, absolutely terrible

I spend a lot of time in VT, which is likely one of the worst places in the country for those sort of conditions. I'm taking my truck up for the first time on thursday, I'll report back. I can say without a doubt that here in NJ, my truck's lights look terrific compared to everything I've driven except some high end cars I've driven for brief periods of time.

Just had a '17 acura rdx dealership loaner with full LED headlights, same brightness as my truck if I had to guess. RDX Different light color and sharper beam batter though.

I suppose I'll hold my thoughts until I try it VT.

AZRenegade · August 30, 2016

So, while in for a recent service, I ran into my salesman who asked how I like the truck.....every time I see him I tell him "Love the truck,still can't see at night"....he knows that this has been a complaint since day one, and has tried to get GM to kick in (no luck, of course) for a fix. He asked if I have found a way to improve it...I told him that a lot of guys are going with LED bulbs, and all that is needed is to modify the bulb, and it can be done for less that $100....he wants me to send him info, so he can bring it to his manager, and for $100, he can probably get it done. Now, if the dealer agrees to do this, I'm thinking there won't be any warranty issues...I hope. So, my question (finally), what is it I'm looking for ??....what bulb are you guys finding that work the best ??...I'm hoping for an answer to avoid searching thru 200 threads....please

All the guy is asking is what bulb to use.

BIGDOGx · August 30, 2016

The bulb type for our trucks is a 9012, i also think a 9006 will fit with some modding to the collar.

The gm fix is a band aid one which doesn't not address as some said very dark rural conditions and especially in the rain, this truck is by a far margin even with the fix horrible and far worse then my 05 silverado or any of the s10 models i have owned previous. Much of the problem stems from a horrible projector setup, in all honesty even hid or led bulbs do not project the light very well, they will look brighter but wont put the light were it is needed like the newer 16+ lights or if you do a fx projector swap.

Best cure right now imo while not cheap is to retrofit a set of 16 and up led lights onto the 14-15 models, this will run you a good chunk of change though to get all the parts needed. Projector swaps is another alternative but is not easy and having a shop do it correctly will run almost the same amount. I think i priced it out for a reputable shop to perform it and was around 1200-1500 depending on what you wanted done.

The cheapest path imo is to buy a good set of driving fogs, i have been using the morimotos xb projector fogs, much better then a led bulb in the stock housing as the light is put on the road were it needs to be and not scattered off everywhere blinding on coming cars!

cbrsilv15 · August 31, 2016

Just install an HID kit from Morimoto and be done with it. $161.50 after the discount. Leds, unless in a led specific projector, don't throw the light enough.