Thread: Day time running light keeps burning out.

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Hey Guys on my Chevy Suburban I have one day time running light that keeps burning out. I replace it and 2 days later it's burnt out again. I put the electric gob of greese on the post and all. I am guessing that the plug is bad, but I does not look burnt.
So I want to cut it off and replace it with a new plug, them bulbs are getting expensive.
Would that plug be a dealer item or can I get it from Napa or some one like that???
Thanks for the any input.
Kurt

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This is a common problem for the 99-07 Chebbies.....bulb runs really hot. I tried different brands and finally found a good bulb that lasted for over a year. But then, I forgot what brand it is. You could try a LED bulb....
go to superbrightleds.com and they have a vehicle selector to help choose your bulb.

Thanks Robot; I had never even given the LED bulb's a thought.
Kurt

On the Superbrightleds.com page, there is an interchange guide to go from regular bulbs to LEDs
LED Car Bulb Replacement Reference - Super Bright LEDs

it may be a myth but I have always heard you can not touch the halogen bulb with your fingers the oil on your finger over heats and blows the bulb. I always use a paper towel and never touch the new halogen bulb. it has always work for me in the past myth or not.

I have an 06 Silverado that still has the origional daytime running lights. It only has 37K miles on it though.

I have heard the same about halogen bulbs. Also do not know how true it is but I have not taken a chance to find out. I used rubber gloves whe I changed the halogen bulbs in my 500w shop light. Used quite a bit and has been going strong for over three years.

Kurt, how rough are the roads there. Don't know if that matters on a large vehicle like that but the head & tail lights on the ex's Smart car has had to be replaced 3X since 2008 and she drives the freeway. That thing is like riding in a gocart.

Thanks Green34Ford & Bug; Ya I have heard the same thing about not touching the bulb with your skin.
I always use a paper towel when putting in a new bulb, in my shop lights or cars now.
The roads are a little ruff but I don't think thats it because it is always the same light burning out on the right side.
I have been noticing that alot of other Suburbans around the same year have the right side running lights burnt out as well.
Maybe something is bad in the design, I am not sure. I just started having this problem about 6 months ago, though.
My suburban is a 02 so it is about 10 years old now.
Thanks Guys.
Kurt

Kurt,

Sounds like a chaffed (SP) wire somewhere. grounding out and blowing the light.

You might try cutting the wires to the offending light and splicing into the wires of the other light. Leave enough length of the wires so you can hook them back up correctly later if you need to.

You can take to an automotive electrician and they can try to smoke the wires to find the bad one. I.E. over amp/power the wires until the bad part starts to smoke a bit. Seen it done before on a machine we had at a shop that I worked at. That is the last resort though.

Hey Bug; From what I can see of the wire it's in loom but it may be where it tie's in to something else.
I'll have to go out and follow it to the fuse box and see if I can see anything.
I wonder if the electrical greese could not be letting it ark between the bulb prongs and
shorting it out???
Kurt

Kurt,

I would not think that the electrical grease would do that because that is it's designed purpose, but who knows.

Ya your probably right Bug.
Thanks.

Electrical grease is a no-no on a halogen bulb....worse than fingerprints if it gets on the glass

I found the following on my 99, this may help, may not. I found the back of the light assembly when installed rubbing the body. One side had more clearance then the other. It has been a while, 99 when I found that so I cannot remember exactly what it was hitting, but it solved my problem. I call it Silverodo i-test cause 30-40% of those trucks have one running light lit. Over voltage burns out a bulb, and both bulbs are on the same circuit.