Tip: Replacing front turn signal bulbs

[jem556]

When one or both front turn signal bulbs burn out on a 2015-20 Tahoe and need replacing (especially the driver side), do yourself a favor and just trade the poorly designed piece of crap in on a Toyota…you can thank me later.

 

[OR VietVet]

Deeep breaths....Deeeeeeeeep breaths....everything will be ok.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Not as simple as on other vehicles, but once you learn what needs to be loosened to access the back of the light housing, the process is fairly straightforward. Yes, more complicated than on a Toyota, but many maintenance procedures on the Toyota are harder or more complicated than on a GM truck. There is a trade-off.

 

[Sparksalot]

Poorly designed is relative. Designed for maximum time in the service bay is more accurate.

 

[jem556]

Not as simple as on other vehicles, but once you learn what needs to be loosened to access the back of the light housing, the process is fairly straightforward. Yes, more complicated than on a Toyota, but many maintenance procedures on the Toyota are harder or more complicated than on a GM truck. There is a trade-off.

I knew what was in the way and tried to remove the tray and washer reservoir blocking access but it was impossible from the engine compartment (maybe if on a lift?). Even with all accessible bolts removed and said items loosened, I could not get my average size hand in a position to remove the bulb retainer. I will have to fabricate a special tool to reach and remove the bulb…until I get time for that, I’ll just continue on with hyper blinking and my utter disdain for GM ‘designers’…

 

[OR VietVet]

I assume you are having this problem? I know this is about installing led's but a bulb PITA is a bulb.

 

[jem556]

Yep, I had watched that video and others just in case I was missing some trick…but evidently that guy has smaller hands than me. Even if I could squeeze in and loosen the retainer (drivers side), I have no confidence that I could hold on and keep if from falling into some black hole of the lower engine compartment or get the replacement bulb secured back in place without the same thing happening. Also the passenger side while also extremely annoying having to remove the air box, is at least possible…the drivers side is just ridiculous.

 

[OR VietVet]

Yep, I had watched that video and others just in case I was missing some trick…but evidently that guy has smaller hands than me. Even if I could squeeze in and loosen the retainer (drivers side), I have no confidence that I could hold on and keep if from falling into some black hole of the lower engine compartment or get the replacement bulb secured back in place without the same thing happening. Also the passenger side while also extremely annoying having to remove the air box, is at least possible…the drivers side is just ridiculous.

I agree. Does not look easy to me at all. I do love my 2005 Z71 more and more every single day.......

 

[89Suburban]

Is it any different from the '07-14's?

 

[Mean_Green]

Hey, just trying to help.

 

[jem556]

I agree. Does not look easy to me at all. I do love my 2005 Z71 more and more every single day.......

So many things I liked better on my former 03 LT…especially the seat comfort and the folding mirrors, etc. Really, the only upgrades from the 2015+ platform that meant anything to me was the Nav / backup camera and electronics. This will be my last Tahoe as even setting aside all other issues, I can’t adapt to the 2021+ styling…looks too much like a ford for my tastes.

 

[jem556]

View attachment 401869


View attachment 401870

Hey, just trying to help.

I was real close to breaking out the recip saw and cutting wheel

 

[OR VietVet]

You should get another NBS Tahoe and take the saved money and do what you want with it. You said something about your 03 that I say all the time. The most comfortable seats. I love them.

 

[jem556]

You should get another NBS Tahoe and take the saved money and do what you want with it. You said something about your 03 that I say all the time. The most comfortable seats. I love them.

Detailed shortly before I sold it

 

[Sparksalot]

Detailed shortly before I sold it
View attachment 401878View attachment 401877

That’s a really pretty color.

 

[OR VietVet]

My 02 LT was that color. I bet you miss that truck.

 

[jem556]

My 02 LT was that color. I bet you miss that truck.

I do, it was an amazing vehicle …12 years of dependable service with only routine maintenance other than a water pump replacement. Everything was still working when I sold it.

 

[OR VietVet]

Someone hit you at the wrong time with the right amount of money. That happened to me in 1992 when I sold my first year/first model of the 1990 Harley Davidson FatBoy. All silver tanks and fenders and frame. I still kick myself in the ass for selling that beautiful bike.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I knew what was in the way and tried to remove the tray and washer reservoir blocking access but it was impossible from the engine compartment (maybe if on a lift?). Even with all accessible bolts removed and said items loosened, I could not get my average size hand in a position to remove the bulb retainer. I will have to fabricate a special tool to reach and remove the bulb…until I get time for that, I’ll just continue on with hyper blinking and my utter disdain for GM ‘designers’…

I can't speak with authority for the K2 models, but for my 07, I remove the entire headlight assembly to change bulb. Take out 3 screws, loosen 3 other screws, and the entire headlight assemble comes out. Sure, not as easy as simply reaching in and removing the bulb itself by hand, but the procedure takes me only about 15 minutes with no special tools.

 

[jem556]

I can't speak with authority for the K2 models, but for my 07, I remove the entire headlight assembly to change bulb. Take out 3 screws, loosen 3 other screws, and the entire headlight assemble comes out. Sure, not as easy as simply reaching in and removing the bulb itself by hand, but the procedure takes me only about 15 minutes with no special tools.

With the 2015-2020 models, you have to remove a good deal of the front end and bumper to remove the headlight assembly so that’s a big no LOL