Headlight low beam problems

Tiny
CHEFTBONETONY
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 55,000 MILES
My low beam went out and I thought it was the bulb. I replaced both bulbs and turned the lights on and I still am unable to get the light to work. I tested the light socket and there is power to it when I turn the lights on. When I re-plugged the bulb back in it, it does not work. I tested the wire again, this time with the light in it and it does not have the same 11.9 reading on my meter.

It is just the passenger side that is out. I have checked the 20 amp fuse in the panel and it is good too.

The number seventeen fuse has has power to both sides of the fuse with the low beams on. The black ground wire for the lamp has 0.1 ohms. With the low beams on and the light bulb out of the connector, the yellow wire reads 11.8. When I plug the bulb in and turn the lights on the yellow bulb reads 0.00 nothing.

I have three bulbs here and I am able to power them up and get them working if I jump it with my power probe. It is when the circuit is completed by plugging in the bulb it looses power. In the fuse panel, I did switch the hi/lo rely with another from the panel and still have the same results.

I am able to jump it and get the bulb to come on. Help please and thank you.
Friday, March 30th, 2012 AT 12:14 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
Hello,

It looks like you might have a HDLP relay that is out, also you can check the power feeds to the headlight bulb. Here is a guide and a headlight wiring diagram and relay location guide (below) that will help you get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
ZPITCH
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  • 1 POST
Mine ended up being the BCM, I replaced it and now it all works again. (Body control module)
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thank you for using 2CarPros:)

Cheers, Ken
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
JACK4796
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HAMPTON4PREZ - did the harnsss replacement work? Personally, I was able to watch a video or two with instructions on removing the headlamp.I did it and so could you. It would save you a bunch of money, and you only need a few tools and some painters tape.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
STEVEN_F
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a similar issue with my driver headlight. Thought it was the bulb, replaced it and still didn’t come on. I checked the fuse box under the hood and under the instrument panel all fuses lit the test light. Wires looked good no cracked, frayed or exposed wires. What could be the issue? Anything helps thanks.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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If you look at the first response to the thread you will see there is a BCM that runs the lights which sounds like it went out. Here are the BCM replacement instructions in the diagrams below. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on, that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
DUSTIN FLINT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 2011 chevy Silverado. My passenger headlight has had problems for a little while now it wouldnt come on so I replaced the bulb a couple days later it did the same thing so I replaced it again thinking I bought a bad bulb. It went out for a third time I bought another new bulb but this time I had the headlights power on to be able to see since I was in a parking lot and had no light at all when I touched the back of the bulb the light came on it was fine for a couple of months then it got to where it would'nt come on unless I touched the back of the bulb e very time I started the truck and then it just didnt want to stay on at all. I removed the headlight today and found a broke wire so I went and bought a new wiring harness for the low beam itself and wired it up turned the lights on and nothing happened again I still have the same problem. Any suggestions to what this could be? Thanks in advance for any info
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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When you removed the bulbs before were they blown, also what brand of bulbs are you using, AcDelco? What part of the bulb did you touch to make it work? Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
DUSTIN FLINT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I've been using Sylvania bulbs, I know to not touch the glass on the bulbs. I've been touch the plastic right behind the socket and give it the smallest wiggle and it comes on kind of like it's not making a good connection to the housing. I'm just not sure it the bulb has to make a contact inside the house or what else could be going on.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Get ACDelco bulbs, there is a difference. Let me know.
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 7:40 PM

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