Lamp out indicator

[ZWag]

The lamp out indicator is going crazy on my truck. It keeps dinging and flashing. I don't have any lights out on the truck either. What is causing this?

 

[jelag]

There has been a problem with loose connections at the bulbs... . and it sets off this alarm...



I've fixed this by opening the lights and doing nothing more than pulling the bulb, and pushing it back in a time or two... . and than its fine for a few months... .



I assume that some dieletric grease might help if you keep it off the head light bulbs. .



The grease and heat don't go together...

 

[ZWag]

What I can't figure out is now my lights don't even have to be on and the lamp out still comes on.

What has been the problem more the headlights or the tailights?

 

[jelag]

The computer remebers the problem..... until you clear the code or you go through so many restarts without the problem.....



What the procedure is. . is to repair the bad bulb... or bad connection, than reset the computer. . and give the truck back to the customer.....



Jim

 

[p-Bar]

Iv'e had problems with my tail lights, the dielectric grease did the trick

 

[MCrossley]

have you checked brake, turn, and tail lamps as well as high and low beams on the headlights? It can be any 1 of those and it will cause the lamp out. My uncles 03 I could not figure it out but it turned out it was the high beam on the right side, go figure. Also if the key is off and you fix the burnt bulb nothing more is required next start the light will go off.

 

[Buffalo]

I just came over here to post exactly the same thing ZWag posted. I'm having the identical problem on my "03. Started last Friday.



Last night, I drove home & the chimes & "lamp out" light didn't come on for over 120 miles. Then it started again. It's very intermittent. Has no pattern. Checked all the lights & everything seems normal & works.



Sometimes these "idiot-proof" features get to be a pain in the neck.



Thanks for the tips on how to correct the problem. Since none of my bulbs seem to be causing the problem, I suppose I have to "pull" each one of them. That should be fun & time consuming. Thanks, DC!!!



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Buffalo]

Just another thought.



I wish DC would leave all the electronics "crap" to the Chevy guys.



I remember one of my Duramax buddies proudly showing me all the electronic read-outs (37, I believe) on the instrument panel of his new Duramax. The only thing I could think of is how much that thing would cost if it broke.



It would be interesting to know how much all these features add to the cost of our trucks. Personally, I could do without them. I think I can figure out when a light bulb goes out. Maybe that money could be better spent on a "for real" oil pressure guage.



My RANTING is over, for now.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[ZWag]

I guess I am going to have to pull my bulbs and check every one of them b/c it is still on.



I am also going to try the dielectric grease.



I didn't think to check the high beams I will check that first. That was the only thing that I didn't check.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I had the same problem with my 03 3500. Very inconsistent and hard to diagnose. The dealership finally replaced a "computer board" in one of the tail lights. Cost about $100, and has fixed the problem.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

Same problem here, dealer changed out one board, after returning to Baja the other side started (tail lights). Removed the board and using needle nose pliers bent the taps a little tighter. No more problems.



Bill

 

[kschaap]

Lamp out problem fix

Folks, you don't need to spend any money on this.



My '03 2500 also had this problem. I learned thru these postings what was causing the problem. Unless one of your headlamps (hi &/or lo) are not working, the problem is in the connectors for the tail lights. The manual steps you through how to get to the bulbs and connectors in your tail light housings (be careful not to wreck the locking slides in the connectors; they're easily damaged!).



I was actually able to see which one was not making a connection (my problem became persistent enough) by going through the lamp check routine. First it was my left turn signal, then after I fixed that, the left brake light caused the problem. The constant dinging and flickering lamp out light drove me nuts.



Anyway, I found it, pulled the bulb and squeezed the connector pins a little closer together with a needle nose pliers. Problem solved... Lamp Out light went off and everything worked. No need to reset the computer either. Beats the heck out of spending a hundred bucks in my book.



Hope this helps you guys.

 

[JThiessen]

It also monitors the cargo lamp/third brake light - so dont forget to check that one for being out also. I too chased the phantom. But mine actually had an intermittent short in the wiring - so I actually did have a brake light not working. But after replacing the bulb, it still didnt work. So a little wire wiggling later it was working - so far so good, I'm sure it will come back.

I have numerous electrical issues on my 03. Its the only real reason I'm considering taking a $15K hit to get a new one.

 

[ZWag]

It ended up being a brake light. It finally went out completely. I changed the bulb and the "Lamp Out" hasn't came back on since.

 

[jcroman]

What I can't figure out is now my lights don't even have to be on and the lamp out still comes on.

What has been the problem more the headlights or the tailights?

I recently retrofitted and hid light system into my stock headlight housings and I learned alot about how this sytem works. The computer actually sends 10. 5 volts to the bulbs at all times even the high and low beam is getting the 10. 5 volts at the same time. the kicker is that there is no current so the lights dont actually turn on. If you pull the bulb out and test for power with the switch off you will see about 10. 5 volts. as for your problem im not sure why its doing it if you have no bulbs burned out. are you sure that you have both high and low beams and one isnt burnt out only on high beam?



Jamie

 

[MickeyMiller]

Mine did it also... it was one of the little licesnse plate lights.

 

[magothy1]

Lite out ding ding

If you run a search you'll see it's a common problem, mine was a loose bulb in one tail light assembly. I cured it with a little electrical tape, the needle nose pliers sounds good, too. Sure was a pain to listen to, tho.



'03 quad cab 4x2 flame red

 

[jcroman]

they must have did away with the dinging feature because on my 05 I drove several days with the bulb out light on and never heard any nosies. sounds like it would be terribly annoying!!

 

[ZWag]

It is very annoying. Mine was really starting to get on my nerves.