My Tahoe EATS DRL's

Taaaaaaahoe? · October 5, 2004

It seems like as SOON as I replace 1 DRL the other one takes a poop! It so d**n annoying! I am even running the Long lasting ones!

My sockets do look kinda burnt. Wonder if its worth going to a junk yard and cutting off some new sockets? THink thay has ANY relation to my prob?

Mike

az'03Silverado · October 5, 2004

If the sockets look burned, that's probably the problem. The current arcs up the carbon trail and shorts the bulb. Go ahead and go to the dealer for new sockets. They're not that expensive. My Mom's Buick Regal had the same problem. On the Regal, the DRLs not only burn all of the time but they're also the turn signals so they blink, which is extra tough on them. She was going through bulbs like crazy and I noticed that the sockets were both burned a little. Once I replaced them and changed both bulbs to the 'long life' type she hasn't had a problem since. And the car has 150,000 miles on it.

Taaaaaaahoe? · October 5, 2004

Woah! Dealership and Not Expensive in the same sentance! Whats up w/ that?

Any idea how nuch they are. I figured it would all be part of one big wire harness, I didnt realize they would un-plug. Ill have to take a better look! ANy idea how much they are?

Mike

Tucson_02Silverado · October 5, 2004

Over two years and going with my original DRL bulbs, actually all of the orignals are working fine. I have looked at them and they are Sylvania's.

DJinCO · October 5, 2004

I know that it might be a dumb comment, but did you touch the bulb(s) with your bare fingers?

az'03Silverado · October 5, 2004

I know that it might be a dumb comment, but did you touch the bulb(s) with your bare fingers?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No biggie if they're touched. They're incandescent bulbs. I can't really remember what the sockets ran. I'm pretty sure they were under $20.00 each but that was 6 years ago. They're probably 3 times that now.

FDNY-Denali · October 5, 2004

Mine seem to blow often as well. But then again, I modded my DRL's to stay on full time. In other words, my DRL's are on at night when I have my headlights on.

kdm101 · October 6, 2004

I had to replace one of my DRL sockets after I broke it. So far, I suppose I'm fairly lucky, as I've only ever replaced the bulbs once or twice per side (and it's a '99!). I too noticed some "burning", but if there's something I'm doing "right", I have no idea what it is.

The replacement socket part number is: 15306157

It's got pre-wired pigtails on it, and they expect you to just clip the wires and use the supplied crimp connectors to the original factory wires. I saw how the pins were secured and was able to pull the plug apart and replace the actual socket housing which was what I had broken. New housing, original factory wires. Unless I ever said anything, I'm sure nobody would ever be able to tell.

99GMCZ71 · October 6, 2004

Have you noticed that you always see the left side DRL burned out on the GM trucks. Everytime I see one burned out, it's the left side.

budhayes3 · October 6, 2004

Yea, I always see the GM trucks goin down the road with a black eye...mine were OK for 4 years until I bragged about it one day...next day, left side burned out. Now I believe in Kharma.

GMCSierra04 · October 6, 2004

From what I heard about the GM truck/SUV DRL problem was the contacts that turned on the DRL's (in the steering column?) when shifting out of park. Most of the time the DRL moduals tested out okay but the contacts for one side or the other wouldnt line up correctly so it wouldnt complete the circuit.

About the burning up bulbs, there has got to be a cross short somewhere or somewhere on the DRL circuit itself, power is not traveling through a load device so there would be an excess of current. Im curious to see what the problem is on your Tahoe. Good luck.

budhayes3 · October 6, 2004

If the bulbs weren't making full contact in the socket, arching would occur and the socket would get burnt, so that makes perfect sense.

citydriver · October 6, 2004

I dont have DRLs on my truck but I have them on my wifes car, and I was having problems with the tailights on her car also...The burning of the sockets is usually caused by arcing of the contacts,as stated before, this causes premature failure of the bulb...I fixed the problem by cleaning the socket contacts with the combination of a small file, small wire brush and a little electronics contact cleaner....then I applied di-electric grease to the sockets (filled them) and inserted new bulbs. Have not had a problem since...The di-electric grease also helps to dissipate heat generated by the bulb while also sealing out moisture and air that causes corrosion.

Hope this helps...It works for me

p.s. I get mine at Advance Auto Parts, I use CRC Technicial Grade Di-Electric Grease....it comes in a pressurized red/white can...but any brand will do