Fog Light Issues

[Jfarm]

All, I have been having issues with my 01 Tahoe fog light. On the driver’s side, every time I replace the bulb, it explodes within a couple days. I have checked the fog light fuse and it looks good. I replaced the light socket and I am still having an issue. It is not water related as it is bone dry inside. My passenger side has been running fine with no issues. As a note, I have been replacing the light with an 880 bulb as I cannot read what my passenger bulb says and what I have read online the replacement is an 880. Everything is stock and I only use the incandescent bulbs, no LEDs. Does anyone have ideas on what may be causing the bulb to keep blowing? Thanks for the help.

 

[Fless]

I assume that you use your fog lights frequently. Swap the bulbs left to right and see if it still blows. You said that it "explodes;" does that mean it burns out, or literally explodes and the glass shatters?

What voltage are you reading at the socket terminals?

 

[dps01]

Oils from fingers tend to concentrate heat on the bulb. Make sure you wipe bulb clean after installing in the socket.

Also check voltage as mentioned above.

 

[Jfarm]

I assume that you use your fog lights frequently. Swap the bulbs left to right and see if it still blows. You said that it "explodes;" does that mean it burns out, or literally explodes and the glass shatters?

What voltage are you reading at the socket terminals?

Yes, usually whenever I have my headlights on I like to turn my fog lights on as well. The bulb actually explodes and the glass shatters. Good idea checking the voltage at the socket, I will check it when I get back from work tomorrow. Once I get a voltage, I will try and swap the good bulb in. Thanks for the help.

 

[Jfarm]

Oils from fingers tend to concentrate heat on the bulb. Make sure you wipe bulb clean after installing in the socket.

Also check voltage as mentioned above.

I thought that might’ve been the issue, but I made sure to not touch the bulb at all with my fingers the last couple times I have replaced it.

 

[Fless]

Is there any possibility of the light housing vibrating enough to cause this? Some of the fog light housings are on rubber mounts, which can cushion them.

 

[dps01]

Once the voltage is verified, you also have the option of moving to a LED assembly.

I have the round ones on a 2003 Z71.
No complaints.

Available for both facia styles.

 

[Jfarm]

Thanks for the suggestion. I thought about doing LEDs but if I do, I would probably do all the headlights as well and I would rather not do that right now haha.

But I just finished checking the voltage at the fog lamp socket and I may be more stumped than before. I got a reading of 262v and was holding steady while I had the truck idling. I thought that was the cause of my issue, but I went and checked the good passenger side light and I got the same 262v reading. Makes no sense how I am getting this high of a reading on both sockets, when one of the fog lights is working. I doubt the one light runs fine on 262v but who knows haha. I am going to check again tomorrow with a different voltmeter just incase I made a mistake getting the readings.

Lastly, I checked how secure the lamp housing was and it was pretty secure. Could not tell a difference in vibration between the driver and passenger side.

I have also attached a picture to show the blown bulb that I am getting.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[SilverSport]

just spitballin' here but are you using any dielectric grease on the bulb/socket connection???...

Good luck,

Bill

 

[Fless]

Something is wacky with that voltage reading so, yes, verify that the DC voltage is about the same as the battery (or charging) voltage.

Wiring diagram is here (but verify your vehicle info and navigate using the links at the top), showing the circuit.