Chevy TrailBlazer Headlight Questions
I just encountered a new problem. My blinkers work fine until I apply the brakes, then they freeze up. Also, when I turn on the blinkers my cruise control disengages. Does anyone have any clue of what causes this? Thanks. By the way this is on a 2005 Trailblazer.
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I own a 02 Chevy Trailblazer and would like to change the (low-beam) headlights my self if that is possible. Can someone give me instructions - the headlight connection doesn't resemble what I'm used to (twist and pull)...Matter of fact - I can't see how I can remove these from the back.... Thank you all in advance for your assist....
Steve, Host
I had to replace my tail light bulb in my van twice in the last year, about 8 months apart. I had to look in the manual both times to figure out how to reach the socket; it's sure not intuitive.
Steve, Host
And, the owner's manual only addresses how to change tail lights. I haven't found anything that speaks to changing high or low beams.
Once the grille comes off (1 piece) right above the headlight are two lever-type snaps. use a screwdriver and lift up on both of them until they snap upward. Once these are lifted, the light comes out. Behind the light there are two rubber canister looking covers. Pop the appropriate cover off (low or high beam) then a quarter turn should release the bulb from the fixture.
NOTE, you may have to undo the wire connections simply by separating them at the connectors.
Install new bulb (remember not to touch the bulb with fingers), tighten into fixture with 1/4 turn, re-connect wire harness, put rubber seal back on, snap light back in, and snap grill in too.
Its pretty easy to do, and I would recommend replacing both sides at the same time while everything is apart.
Email me if you have further questions.
I tried what some one else posted for their 2002 but the 05 seems different.
The grill came off very easily but instead of 2 metal snaps holding the light assembly there are many plastic ones. I've tried gently prying them out but they break everytime so I'm guessing there must be another way. I can't believe it's easier to change the grill than the bulbs!
Any ideas?
There not really snaps but are sliding clips that move up and down, with some force required.
I only replaced the passenger side lamp. It looks like you can gain the same access on the driver side by removing the battery case and battery.
eaa
mark77, "Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy" #17319, 6 Oct 2005 10:36 am
You can use the Search This Discussion box there if you want to find more posts. Or just post again if that link doesn't help and we'll try to help you get your lights on again. :shades:
Steve, Host
1.FACE THE VEHICLE SO THAT BATTERY IS ON YOUR RIGHT;
2.REMOVE THE BLACK PLASTIC PIECE THAT RUNS OVER RADIATOR BETWEEN HOOD LATCH AND FAN. IT IS ABOUT 53 1/2" LONG AND HOLDS THE HOOD PROP CLIP. (3 PLASTIC PUSH RETAINERS & 2 SHEET METAL SCREWS);
3.REMOVE THE GRILL ASSEMBLY UNDERNEATH THE PIECE IN STEP 2 BY PUSHING DOWN FIRMLY ON 4 RETAINER CLIPS WHICH RUN ALONG THE TOP. USE A WIDE SLOT SCREWDRIVER. PULL UP GENTLY ON GRILL ASSEMBLY. IT WILL POP OUT. THE GRILL ASSEMBLY EXTENDS UNDER EACH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (HA) AND IT DISPLAYS THE CHEVROLET LOGO IN THE MIDDLE. MY GRILL ASSEMBLY POPPED OUT EASILY AND ALL THE OTHER RETAINER CLIPS ON THE BOTTOM AND BENEATH AND TO THE SIDE OF HA WERE AUTOMATICALLY RELEASED WITHOUT ANY FUSS;
4.ON TOP OF HA SEE ONE TAB (ABOUT 1" LONG)ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ONE ON THE LEFT (THE ONE ON L IS CLOSER TO THE FENDER);
5.PULLUPWARDDIRECTION ON TABS. THEY WILL SLIDE UPWARD A COUPLE OF INCHES AND WILL RELEASE THE HA WHICH YOU CAN THEN PULL OUT TOWARDS YOU;
6.AT BACK OF THE HA, REMOVE 2 ROUND RUBBER CAPS (ABOUT 4" IN DIAMETER)--ONE FOR LOW BEAM--ONE FOR HIGH. REVEAL BULBS. UNSNAP THE WIRE HARNESS FROM BULB BASE AND TURN BULB 1/4 TURN CLOCKWISE (REMEMBER YOU ARE FACING THE TRUCK)
7.REPLACE BULB(S). #9006 BULB IS GRAY-BASE, FOR HIGH BEAM ON OUTSIDE. #9005 IS BLACK-BASE, LOW BEAM TO INSIDE OF HIGH BEAM.
CHANGING HIGH AND LOW AND REASSEMBLY TOOK ABOUT HALF HOUR. GOOD LUCK. eaachevy
i had to change my driver side lowbeam lamp
for the '04 ,, it seems a bit easier though ... here are the steps i took : with borrowed input from eagosto(ETA 15 min - for your first time,, next time it may be faster) This also applies to the front turn signal bulbs.
Tools needed - large Flat head screwdriver
1.FACE THE VEHICLE SO THAT BATTERY IS ON YOUR RIGHT;
2. OPEN HOOD
3.REMOVE THE GRILL ASSEMBLY BY PUSHING DOWN FIRMLY ON 2 RETAINER CLIPS WHICH RUN ALONG THE TOP. USE A WIDE SLOT SCREWDRIVER TO HELP YOU WITH THE REST OF CLIPS (1 IN THE MIDDLE 2 BOTTOM END,2 ON EACH SIDE IN BETWEEN THE HEADLIGHTS). PULL UP GENTLY ON GRILL ASSEMBLY. IT WILL POP OUT. THE GRILL ASSEMBLY EXTENDS UNDER EACH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (HA) AND IT DISPLAYS THE CHEVROLET LOGO IN THE MIDDLE. MY GRILL ASSEMBLY POPPED OUT EASILY AND ALL THE OTHER RETAINER CLIPS ON THE BOTTOM AND BENEATH AND TO THE SIDE OF HA WERE AUTOMATICALLY RELEASED WITHOUT ANY FUSS;
4.ON TOP OF HA SEE ONE TAB (ABOUT 1" LONG)ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ONE ON THE LEFT (THE ONE ON L IS CLOSER TO THE FENDER);
5.PULLUPWARDDIRECTION ON TABS. THEY WILL SLIDE UPWARD A COUPLE OF INCHES AND WILL RELEASE THE HA WHICH YOU CAN THEN PULL OUT TOWARDS YOU;
6.AT BACK OF THE HA, REMOVE 2 ROUND RUBBER CAPS (ABOUT 4" IN DIAMETER)--ONE FOR LOW BEAM (WHITE BASE CONNECTOR)--ONE FOR HIGH (BLACK BASE CONNECTOR). REVEAL BULBS. UNSNAP THE WIRE HARNESS FROM BULB BASE AND TURN BULB 1/4 TURN CLOCKWISE (REMEMBER YOU ARE FACING THE TRUCK)
7.REPLACE BULB(S). #9006 BULB IS GRAY-BASE, FOR HIGH BEAM ON OUTSIDE. #9005 IS BLACK-BASE, LOW BEAM TO INSIDE OF HIGH BEAM.
-- NOTE--- if you have small hands ,, you could take off the caps and bulbs without doing the above,, but the connector to the bulb is very short and maybe a bit cumbersome to install the bulb. (again took me 15-20 min,, but now that i know what to do,, next time may just take me 5-10 min) This also applies to the turn signals.
(While standing in front of the vehicle, battery to the right)
I removed the right metal fender brace that covered the air filter cover. I loosened the front bolt, and removed the back one. This allowed me to "swing" it out of the way.
I removed the air filter cover. There are three screws. One in the back, one on the right side, and one in the front-left. The one on the front-left is a little tricky so I used a long screwdriver and magnatized the screwdriver so I don't lose the screw.
After removing the air filter cover, I lifted air filter and swung it out of the way. This gave me great view of the back of the headlamp. With one hand, I pressed down on the wire loom that blocked the rubber cover. Just using my hands, I peeled away at the rubber cover to expose the headlamp.
With a small quarter-turn I removed the blown headlamp and reversed this process for reassembly.
Took all of 10 mins. I'm sure that it would not be as easy for the driver side, as I would have to remove the battery. Hopefully, that one doesn't blow out any time soon. LOL.
The last time it happened was during a snow srtorm. I had just about everything electrical turned on and it dimmed the lights off and on for about 30 minutes. It seems like the electrical system can't put out enough power.
The dealer has applied fixes in all applicable TSBs with no fix. GM Tech support says this is normal? Somehow I just can't see that it is normal to have lights dimming while you are driving down a dark highway.
Anyone else have problems like this that have been fixed?
Thanks,
Lou
Thanks
Phil
Anyway
I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. Just recently, both of my headlights went out. Whether I have it in the automatic position or if I put them in the "manual on" position, they don't come on. When I put on my brights, they work. At least they got me home. I'm sure I pissed some people off though. Anyway, does anyone have any ideas of where to look. I checked the fuses. There is a different fuse for each headlight and they both look OK. Could it be the bright switch, and if so, how do I check it? Looking forward to any help you can shed on the subject.
Thanks
Phil
What are the chances of both of my low beams going out at the same time? Is there a highbeam/lowbeam switch on the column and could that be bad? How would I check this? Can I check the low beam with a test light. I'm trying to check everything before I have to go to a Chevy Dealer.
The headlight driver module (HDM) is controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM) under the back seat via a pink-white stripe wire that connects to the HDM pin 5 under the hood. The headlight switch signals the BCM to turn on the headlights. There are a few tests you could do to narrow it down to the BCM but that would involve shorting the pink-white stripe wire at the BCM or pin 5 at the HDM to ground, which will make the HDM turn on the headlights. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK! You should be able to pull up the HDM slightly to get under it to pin 5, then with a suitable clip lead to ground and probe like a piece if solid wire, touch the pin. Be aware that there is direct Battery 12V on pin 2 so don't accidentally short that pin to ground or sparks will fly! You could also test both headlamps by taking them out and checking with an Ohm meter. Should read near zero Ohms. Pretty unlikely though that both would fail at the same time. Likewise with the two fuses.
Since yours is a 2003 it shouldn't have a HDM fuse #53. I believe that fuse was added in late 2004 but you might check for that anyway to make sure.
Before I dove into the BCM, I decided to check for juice at the bulbs themselves. I seemed very unlikely that they would both blow at once, that's why I didn't check it right off the bat, but that's what it was. On the 2003, it looks like it's hard to get to the bulbs, but it was easier then I thought. The passenger side, I had to take off the cover for the air filter and I could reach my hand in. In any case, two lights and only $16. later, it was all fixed. Now, why did they both go at once. I had noticed a slight dimming a couple of times in the near past and I read somewhere that the Trailblazer had some alternator spiking problems. I guess I'll have to keep my eye on it.
Thanks for your help.
On the driver's side, reach down and in and pull off the black rubber cover that's about the size of the bottom of a soda can. Then just reach in and twist and pull. On the passenger's side, you first have to take the 3 screws out of the air filter cover and pull it off. Then, reach down and in and twist and pull. It was. Remember, don't touch the halogen bulbs with your fingers, the oil on your fingers screws them up for some reason. At least that's what they used to say. Hope this helps.
Phil
Refering to Phil's message:
I own a 2003 Trailblazer and I just had to replace 2 low beams. I don't know if things have changed from 2002 to 2003, but on the 2003 it looks harder than it really is.
On the driver's side, reach down and in and pull off the black rubber cover that's about the size of the bottom of a soda can. Then just reach in and twist and pull. On the passenger's side, you first have to take the 3 screws out of the air filter cover and pull it off. Then, reach down and in and twist and pull. It was. Remember, don't touch the halogen bulbs with your fingers, the oil on your fingers screws them up for some reason. At least that's what they used to say. Hope this helps
Yes even a blonde can do that.
Diana
I have a similar problem. Occasionally while driving down a road and lifting off the accelerator the headlights begin to flicker almost like going from a high bean to a low beam. I haven't noticed it happening with any special accessories on or off. Since its dark in the mornings when I drive to work now I notice it more often. I haven't bothered taking it to the dealer since I think it would be a waste of time. I'm actually not even sure if it both headlights or just one, but whats happening is noticeable and probably puzzles the oncoming drivers.
Dick
Stump3, thanks for the info. I was done in 6 minutes. I didn't have to remove the grill or the housing and it was done in a snap. Is there a trailblazer club I can join?