Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Headlights

Imagine driving your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 on a moonless night without headlights. Isn't it a scary thought? This is why it is important for the headlights to be maintained regularly. A headlight that is not properly cared for will not perform at an optimum level and is likely to fail at any time, which in turn would compromise your safety particularly when driving under low-visibility conditions.

Here are some maintenance pointers to think about regarding Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlights.

• Check the lenses.

The lenses of the headlight assembly are the most exposed to the elements, so it's not a surprise that they are often the first components to wear out. Check the lens for a foggy or yellowish tint; UV rays react to the lens plastic, causing them to become cloudy and yellow over time. Headlight restoration kits will usually clear up aged headlight lenses, although the severe cases of deterioration will require replacement of the headlight lens and housing.

• Brush away with toothpaste.

One simple way to keep fogginess and yellowing of the headlight at bay is by scrubbing it regularly with toothpaste. Toothpaste contains chemicals similar to that found in headlight restoration products, although a bit milder. Apply the toothpaste with an old towel or rag and scrub in a circular motion to reduce the likelihood of scratches, and rinse well with water.

• Keep it dry.

Standard headlights are not completely watertight; over time, moisture will start to seep in and either accumulates at the bottom of the housing or condensed as droplets on the lens. And if not removed promptly, this can cause the metal parts of the headlight assembly to corrode and for the electrical connections to short out. So if you notice condensation or pools of water inside your truck's headlight, be sure to take out and dry the headlight immediately.

• Replace in pairs.

If worse comes to worst and you will have to replace your Silverado's headlights, it is recommended to replace both units even if only one is faulty. Headlights tend to dim over time, and replacing only one headlight will result in an uneven beam. The same principle also applies with the other lights in your car including the tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals.

• Chevrolet Silverado was first introduced by General Motors in 1998. Along with its mechanical twin, the GMC Sierra, the Silverado line featured full-size and heavy-duty pickup trucks. 
• Headlights are installed in front of your truck. Its main purpose is to illuminate the road ahead, especially at night. 
• A typical Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlight has a four-piece design including a low-beam, high-beam, turn signal and fog light. 
• There are three common types of headlights: halogen, LED, and HID.
• Driving with a faulty or dimming headlight is dangerous because it can reduce the driver’s visibility on the road. 

Chevrolet Silverado was first introduced by General Motors in 1998. Along with its mechanical twin, the GMC Sierra, the Silverado line featured full-size and heavy-duty pickup trucks. It was originally introduced as a successor of the Chevy C/K model. Since then, the Chevrolet Silverado has been one of the best selling pickup trucks in the United States.

Headlights are installed in the front of your truck. Its main purpose is to illuminate the road ahead, especially at night. A typical Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlight has a four-piece design including a low-beam, high-beam, turn signal, and fog light. 

Sometimes called headlamps, these lights help other drivers see oncoming traffic. Headlights can be switched from low beam to high beam. Many modern headlight kits make use of only one bulb with separate filaments. These two modes come as standard in most vehicles, but many drivers are still confused when to use them. 

High beam lights are used for long-range illumination. Its brightness can dazzle other drivers, so it is not advisable to use this kind of lights, especially when you are only 150 meters away from other vehicles. When you are driving on a busy road at night, it is advisable to switch to your low beam headlights. Its beam is just enough to illuminate the road ahead without blinding other drivers on the road. 

Did you know that the first headlamps were lit using kerosene and acetylene oil? These lamps were straightforward and easy to use. However, kerosene and acetylene can freeze in winter, making these kinds of headlamps inefficient. It was not long after that electric lamps were introduced. 

Today, there is a lot of new innovation when it comes to headlights. With the introduction of LED and HID, there are a number of options to choose from aside form Halogen bulbs. Upgrading or replacing your faulty headlight will not only ensure your truck’s safety but will also give your truck a new look. 

The three common types of headlights are Halogen, LED and HID. In choosing new headlights, you should consider factors such as the brightness and color temperature. These factors can significantly affect how well your headlights work. 

Halogen lights are the most popular type of bulb for headlights because of its low cost. This is the main reason why many drivers still prefer this kind of bulb over other technologies such as LED. Halogen lights make use of halogen gas mixed with tungsten-halogen filaments to generate light. Ideally, halogen lamps are at their best condition for 24 months before they need to be replaced.

Most present-day trucks are equipped with this kind of headlight, including newer Silverado models from 2016 onwards. Unlike Halogen bulbs, LED lights do not make use of filaments to generate light. Instead, LED transfers current through a semiconductor.

LED lights cost more than halogen, but it has a longer lifespan. One interesting thing about LED headlights is that it is easy to retrofit and upgrade. In fact, LED headlights only take an average of thirty minutes to replace.

Another major advantage of using this kind is its cooler color temperature than its halogen counterpart. It gives out a whiter light which is easier on the eyes. 

Instead of making use of a metal filament to produce light, HID or Xenon lights are filled with Xenon gas which ignites to produce a white or bluish shade of light. HID bulbs produce a brighter light than halogen bulbs but with less heat. They also require minimal energy to maintain their brightness. Although these bulbs have been gaining popularity, this type of headlights can be very bright and irritating to the eyes. 

Most headlights are sold in kits. It can include both passenger and driver side headlights, while some kits also include fenders. Remember that it is advisable to change both bulbs at the same time since it usually gets busted one after the other. 

There have been three generations of Chevrolet Silverado since it was first introduced in 1998. Each generation carries parts varying in size. To assure that you are getting the most accurate fit for your Silverado, enter the correct year, make and model into our search engine. 

A Chevy Silverado headlight kit usually costs around $100-$250.

Driving with a faulty or dimming headlight is dangerous because it can reduce the driver’s visibility on the road. Usually, when one light bulb fades, the other one follows. It is advisable to replace both at the same time. Although some types of headlights are easy to install, it is advisable to contact your trusted mechanic to do it for you. 

When nightfall or bad weather brings darkness upon the land, headlights deliver the illumination that a driver needs to see the road ahead. They also make the vehicle more visible to other drivers, ensuring that road safety goes both ways.

Drivers of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and other pickup trucks rely on their headlights even more than most. They often travel in remote areas with little artificial lighting, so their vehicle’s exterior lighting serves as their main source of light. If they notice issues with their headlights, they should repair or replace the light as soon as possible.

Since its debut in 1999, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has received many complaints about faulty parts and design choices. While headlights are nowhere near the top of its list of parts prone to problems, they have their share of issues.

Foggy headlights

The headlight glass may fog up, reducing the beam’s brightness and reach. This usually happens during bad weather with heavy precipitation like rain and wet snow, but may also pop up during nights with clear skies.

Blinking or flickering headlights

Sometimes, the headlights may blink or flicker, as if the truck isn’t producing enough power for its electrical systems. Driving over rough terrain often triggers the blinking issue. Other causes include using the turning signals, in which case the truck reportedly shuts down briefly before starting up again.

On 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s, the fault lies with an alternator that triggers the flickering when the alternator gauge needle moves between 14 and 19. Meanwhile on the 2018 model, the GM-manufactured HID light bulbs reputedly cause the problem.

Defective and fractured headlight assemblies

GMC issued a recall for vehicles that included the 2014 to 2018 models of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The models used defective headlight assemblies with tiny fractures on their reflective surfaces. The cracks not only reduced the brightness of the headlight beam but also grew bigger over time until they became visible to the naked eye.

Headlight burnout

Some headlights wear out their light bulbs faster than normal. They burn out after roughly two months. On at least one 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the headlight daytime bulbs burned so hot that they melted their way through the assembly, making them a potential fire hazard.

Problems with low and high beam headlight brightness

Later generations of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 introduced low beam and high beam headlights. Drivers can switch between low beam mode that doesn’t blind other drivers at night and high beam mode for cutting through a thick fog, rain, and snow.

However, some drivers claim that the low beam headlights remained too bright for road safety. Others complain that the high beam headlight cannot produce enough light to reveal any wildlife on the highway shoulder that may try to cross the road at night.

If your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 needs new headlights, look no further than CarParts.com. We offer replacement headlights at prices between $26.76 and $278.93. They are available as individual units for either the driver side or the passenger side, as pairs, or as part of a kit with other exterior lighting parts like headlight housing and turn signal lights. Quickly find the part guaranteed to fit your vehicle by entering the year, make, and model in the filter bar.

Most professional mechanics today are capable of installing headlights and their components on all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models; although you can also do it yourself provided you have the skills and the know-how. And should you do it yourself, here are some tips to consider when installing a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlight.

Tip #1: Have your tools ready.

There are no specific tools needed to remove and install the headlight bulbs in the Silverado, although having a flat screwdriver on hand will help you pry off the fasteners in the headlight housing a much easier affair. Also, you may need to remove the air box in order to access the headlight, so get a Torx screwdriver ready as well.

Tip #2: Take out the air box first.

In order to remove the headlight, some Silverado models will require you to remove the engine air box as well. The air box is bolted on with Torx-25 screws, so make sure to use the appropriate bit for your screwdriver. Take out the air filter element first, followed by the lower half of the air box by carefully pulling upwards until it pops out. Take note that the box is typically secured by several plastic pegs that act as friction fasteners.

Tip #3: Make sure to use the correct type of headlight bulbs for your truck.

For the Silverado, the low beam should have the part number # H11 while the high beam is either # 9005 or HB3.

Tip #4: Do not touch the bulb with your bare hands.

The glass case of headlight bulbs is extremely sensitive, and oils from your fingertips react with the glass and cause it to break. If you do accidentally hold the bulb, wipe it clean with a paper towel moistened with alcohol.

Tip #5: Make sure that the bulbs are in the locked position.

Once the bulbs are inserted onto the housing, make sure that they are locked in place. Rotate the bulbs 1/4 turn counterclockwise; if the wires are facing to the left at a straight angle, the socket is secured.