Silverados with one parking light out

[k1rod]

I have noticed (and I don't think it's my imagination), many fairly new Chevy Silverados going down the road with one of the parking light's out. A rescent, non scientific survey (me driving up the road and counting the trucks coming in the other direction) looked like about 20% of the newer Silverados with one of these lights out. Anybody else notice this?

[rob@rone.ca]

I saw one just the other day. Assume you mean the front daytime driving lights, which is what you'd see coming towards you???

I particularly noticed it because I had my 93 6.5 TD 8600 GVW for 13 years and never replaced ANY lights or bulbs except the underdash floor lights!!

I just traded it for a new Chev 3500 SRW Duramax, 9900 GVW and so far so good!!

Mileage so far is a bit less, but certainly in proportion to the weight

[Turbo Al]

My DRL's are fine but the bloody DR side headlight just quit at 35,000 miles also as previously noted my 93 never burnt out a light for 180,000 miles.

[oyazi]

No, its not your imagination. I too have noticed it for awhile and the F**d & D***ge guys like to point it out also. Wish I knew the reason for it.

[FJ40INTOW]

I have had one driving light to go out on my 2003 but it would reappear so i replaced both with some ambers. I have 90K on it and most is daytime driving. Whats up with most trucks you come up one with one headlight out of alignment? Everyone of them are F**ds....

[madmatt]

Theres a updated DRL bulb. I belive its a 4157KX or 4157k. either way your dealer will have it and unlike most dealer parts there relatively inexpensive, about $8 each. there real simple to install yourself.

[k1rod]

Was the updated bulb a resul of something being wrong with the original bulb?

[SLT556]

Originally posted by k1rod:
Was the updated bulb a resul of something being wrong with the original bulb? Yes, there is something wrong...the 3157 bulb is not meant to be on continuously...so there is usually on burned out.

[okeehandyman]

Had the same experience with a couple of my trucks and have noticed it with many others - just thought "here we go again with those outsourced low bidder parts from whereever!"

[lovette]

I think the 3157's were replaced with 4157's to fix the problem.

Edit: Doh! Somebody already said this.

[ 08-04-2005, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: lovette ]

[Quack_Addict]

The bulbs burn out because alternators push 14+ volts, not the 12v maximum the bulbs are rated for. Bulb life decreases with increased voltage...

[madmatt]

thats exactly it. also it's a P/N 15199562 (trade bulb #4114K), bulb that replaces the P/N 1999482 (trade bulb #4157K). These bulbs should be replaced in pairs for customer satisfaction.

[copperhead]

I have noticed the large number of GMs with this feature as well, including mine. I just went to the local parts store and asked for the bulbs for my model year etc. What I'm wondering is did they give me the bulb that matches the updated type as specified by GM? The other thing I noticed is that the plastic assemblies are....well...cheap and haven't stood up to the heat of the bulbs well at all. Black and brittle but still functional.

[madmatt]

the new bulbs are 4114K