Headlight assembly replacement

[DonR]

My 2015 Longhorn 2500 drivers side headlight started leaking water inside and has now taken out most of the LED's of the turn signal. I checked with the dealer and a replacement assembly is $870 plus tax. Plus the part isn't locally available and will take about 3 weeks to arrive. Searching aftermarket replacements most have customer comments that when using an aftermarket light they get a warning that the turn signal is out even though it's not or that the adjustment isn't the same as the OEM assembly and has to be taken in/out several times for adjustment. I was going to check with a couple salvage yards but I'd hate to get a used part to find out it's defective after getting it all back together. I was wondering if maybe the system sees a difference in resistance between the OEM and aftermarket one causing the warning signal. If that was the issue I could change both sides for about half of what the OEM costs. Has anyone used an aftermarket headlight and not had an issue? If so could you provide the vendor's name and manufacturer of the light since there's numerous ones.

Thanks.....Don

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Not sure if this would apply to your situation but figured I'd mention it...

My '03 had aftermarket headlights (standard, not LED) when I bought it, complete with the Lamp Out light and annoying chime. Took me a few weeks but finally discovered the aftermarket turn signal sockets were junk. Replacing them with OEM sockets solved the problem and it hasn't returned in almost 6 years.

 

[DonR]

Thanks Mark. After posting my issue I was digging around on Google and found a Mopar parts web site that advertises up to 40% off OEM parts. Come to find out that it's actually the dealer that I bought my truck from back in 2015. It was a different name due to selling out a couple years back. They had the item online listed for $530 and some odd cents. I called and talked with the parts folks and they verified that it was a true OEM part and since they are only about 30 miles away I just elect to purchase it from them online and pick it up when it comes in to save shipping cost. He said he should have it Friday or Monday. They will also price match any Mopar dealer. Here is the link if anyone is interested.

https://www.factorychryslerparts.com/

Thanks again Mark for the reply........Don

 

[Topzide]

With LED it's the low amp draw that causes the lamp out warning. You can fix this with AlfaOBD. Just need to change lamp to LED setting. Did this in mine since using a LED front turn signal bulbs due to using them as a DRL.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Hope they upgraded the housings as mine have moisture on my 15 LongHorn. Unfortunately I did not notice under standard warranty and MaxCare did not cover, GRRRRRRRRR.

 

[DonR]

Topzide, the original lights have LED turn signals so shouldn't the setting already be at LED? Doesn't really make any difference now since I have a new one on order but just curious.

 

[Topzide]

Sometimes the aftermarket have a different current draw than the factory and this causes the issue. If equipped from factory, I would think the setting should have been check and have no affect on what type of light. When looking at all the modules and changes that AlfaOBD can make, it is scary! That why you need to print log of changes with Alfa to keep things straight. Anyhow, sounds like you got a good deal on OEM replacements. Maybe a coating of clear sealer around perimeter to help with moisture in the future.

 

[DonR]

I finally swapped out the headlight assembly yesterday. I was surprised to see that the new unit came with bulbs. I followed a YouTube video on pulling the assembly without removing the grill and it wasn't a bad job at all. Now that I've done it once and know exactly where everything is I think it could be done in 10 minutes. Last week I started getting notification that my right brake light was out. Knowing that the tail and brake lights are LED's and not replaceable I was thinking here goes another bundle of $$$. Looking at the light I saw that the brake light was working even though I was getting that message. I figured that with the assembly costing $274 I'd just ignore the message as long as the light was working. Then today I was looking on YouTube and saw a video from one of our forum members (Marion Blair) concerning him having the same issue. It turns out that the upper brake light above the rear window causes that message and the bulb is replaceable. Woohoo, happy happy happy.....

 

[DonR]

A little update on the brake light message. I removed the light assembly to see what bulb it was and the bulb had shattered so there was no way to get a number. I Google it and came up with part number 921. Went to Walmart and found a twin pack of 921 LEDs for something like $15. Got home and installed one of the bulbs and the message was still there. Went to the back of the truck while my wife stepped on the brake and the upper light is now working so why do I still have the message? Looked at the package and there is a note on the package that if using this LED in place of a regular bulb you might get a message like I have. What??? Sylvania has both standard and LEDs with the same number? Yep, went back and picked up the ones that say 921 Long Life and you can see the filament inside the bulb. Once I put the standard bulb in, started the truck and pressed the brake pedal one time the message went away. Hopefully this will possibly save someone a little frustration down the road.