Daylight running lights & connector

[TwinTip]

I am having some intermittent problems with my daylight running lights. Some days one turns on and others it does not. Also, when one locks the truck, the daylight running lights are supposed to come on for a couple of seconds (I think this only happens when it is dark). One of the lights also comes on intermittently.

 

I would think that the light either comes on or it does not. Does anyone know why the lights can come on intermittently?

 

My second question is regarding the connector on the daylight running lights (the one where the bulb is connected to). I had one of these lights checked by the dealer and now I noticed that some plastic parts of the connector were broken and are inside the light. Is this a simple connector to replace? Is there an external harness that would have to be replaced (a simple solution) or is it more complicated than that?

 

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[kdm101]

I can't answer the question on the intermittent behavior, but I think I can help you out on the connector.

 

A few years ago, I bumped another vehicle and ended up cracking my grille and both the headlight and corner marker light. The damage included shattering the DRL socket. I went to the dealer and bought a replacement socket, which comes as a kit with pigtail wires that they expect you to cut and splice into the original wires.

 

The replacement socket part number is: 15306157 (guaranteed for '99 - '02, dunno about '03 and later)

 

However, after looking at the socket, I realized how easy it is to pull the factory wires out with the contacts attached. All I needed was a small flat screwdriver to depress the metal contact tab inside the shell, which permits the contact to be pulled out. I repeated this on the broken socket then re-inserted the wires into the new socket. I have a repaired socket that you can't tell from factory. On the plus side, I have not had a DRL burn out since I did that (it was the driver's side I had to repair - the one that always seems to be dead!).

[mmmikkke]

Sometimes there's a contact on the bulb/socket assembly that only allows the light to come on if the socket is properly twist-locked into the lamp enclosure. Maybe that contact is bent and only barely making contact. Remove the bulb/socket assembly and examine it, could be a cheap fix.

[stlmaj]

I had the same problem on my 03'. Both drl light sockets where burnt went to the dealer had them replace both under warrenty no problems since. I am sure in time it will happen again....

 

good luck,

Matt

[TwinTip]

Thank you all for the feedback. Odly enough, the light that always seems to give me problems is the one on the drivers side.

 

I have taken the vehicle various times to have this fixed. When I leave the dealer it works fine and a couple of days later it does not. I'll take it one more time see what they have to say. At least I know it should be an easy fix when my warranty expires.

[mmmikkke]

Seems like it'd be a lot more trouble taking it to the dealer than just checking it out yourself... It's not like you'll void the truck's warranty by bending the twist-lock contact with needle nose pliers.

[TwinTip]

I am taking it to the dealer because after they checked the light bulb the last time, they also broke the connector. I realized this after I had taken my truck home. There are two pieces of plastic from the connector that can be seen from the light.