How to change a tail light bulb on 2012 Yukon Deneli

[bobsr]

Looking for advice on how to change a tail light bulb on a 2012 Yukon Denali. I read that you almost have to take the front bumper off to change a headlight, but am wondering if I can replace a tail light bulb easily without having to go to a shop.

In the old days on my 2003 Yukon it was pretty simple task, and maybe still is. Thanks for your advice.

 

[qcon]

On my '13 Suburban, all you have to do is open the hatch, unscrew one screw, and pull the housing out to access the socket.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Like qcon said above, but it's 2 screws, 1 near the top of the light housing an 1 near the bottom. Then pull, there are 2 hourglass shaped studs toward the outer edges that are pushed into rubber grommets. The housing will come off and access the bulbs from the back side. You can see the 2 screw locations on the pic below

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[bobsr]

Like qcon said above, but it's 2 screws, 1 near the top of the light housing an 1 near the bottom. Then pull, there are 2 hourglass shaped studs toward the outer edges that are pushed into rubber grommets. The housing will come off and access the bulbs from the back side. You can see the 2 screw locations on the pic below

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[bobsr]

Thanks so much for your comments gents. Mission accomplished! Not difficult. I bought two new bubs to have a spare. But I did notice that the fixture itself holding the bulb was pretty dark/scorched... I know GM had a problem on my 2003 Yukon with the headlight bulb fixtures as they had to be replaced with the wiring because they actually burned the fixtures and caused failures. GM refused to do it so it cost me I think about $75-- to get the new stuff at a dealer and replace the wiring and fixtures.

Anyone else notice this issue?

Good chance to also clean around the paint and get rid of dirt etc while it was apart.

So what's new for 2020... maybe a light bulb detector to tell you when a bulb is out? Add 5 more pages to the instruction book and $500 -- to the new vehicle price.

 

[gooffeyguy]

You should put that second new bulb on the other side. Bulbs dim with age, and you will probably now notice one side is brighter than the other. Also, use some of that bulb socket grease they sell in the little packets at the parts store. I think it's actually just dielectric grease. Lubs the base and helps keep it from any kind of corrosion.

My taillight sockets were a bit brownish also, caused by heat and age. The whole harness plugs in under the bumper in the corners on each side and can be replaced, don't know how much they are though.

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[bobsr]

Good information. Thanks. I will change the other iht as well. Makes sense. Can probably see the difference easier when it is dark .Glad to know there is a harness easily disconnectable and thus easily replaceable should the occasion arise.

 

[swathdiver]

...the fixture itself holding the bulb was pretty dark/scorched

Anyone else notice this issue?

Yep, with many GM vehicles! I've had to splice in many new connectors over the years. However, my GMC has been perfect so far.

You're done but I will add for those looking for advice in the future, pull the taillight assembly out EVENLY!!! Mine were holding fast so I pulled a little more from the bottom and broke the tabs off both sides. The screws still hold them in place but I messed up and broke them because I did not pull them out evenly, my hands were slipping.

 

[Fless]

@swathdiver Why aren't the kids doing this maintenance? LOL

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver Why aren't the kids doing this maintenance? LOL

My youngest was helping me and her hands kept slipping off and said it was too hard. So Dad went to show her how a man pulls it off! LOL

 

[BG1988]

You should put that second new bulb on the other side. Bulbs dim with age, and you will probably now notice one side is brighter than the other. Also, use some of that bulb socket grease they sell in the little packets at the parts store. I think it's actually just dielectric grease. Lubs the base and helps keep it from any kind of corrosion.

My taillight sockets were a bit brownish also, caused by heat and age. The whole harness plugs in under the bumper in the corners on each side and can be replaced, don't know how much they are though.

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

mine are really nice still but the housing insides are better though

metal heat shields at the sockets

 

[petethepug]

Did you remember to swap out the little running light bulbs on the side of the housings? I didn’t know they were there til I changed out the other bulbs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mattjones]

Now that you know how easy it is to access the tail lights you should switch out the reverse light bulbs for the bright LEDS, especially if you have tinted windows

 

[Floep]

The stop light sockets get very hot when waiting in traffic with foot on the brake, I put in LEDS and no more heating and brighter also

 

[muncie21]

BTW, you can replace headlights without removing the front bumper. Not as easy as previous generations but still manageable.