2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Head Lights

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BadBoy1221

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Hey,
I recently bought a 2014 GMC Sierra. I noticed when driving at night, the head lights were not very bright. And there wasn't much of a difference between low beam and high beam. Anyone else notice this with their Sierra? Is it easily fixed by just putting a new bulb in? I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has this issue. Every other silverado or Sierra I've ever driven in have always had amazing head lights.
 
I could of purchased a new 2014 Sierra 1500 this past weekend turned it down because of transmission issues and bad headlights on these trucks. Thank you forum members for saving me a big headache. I will keep driving my 2005 Sierra with no transmission issues and bright headlights.
 
It's a known/documented problem with lots of 2014 Sierra owners.
GM are supposedly close to coming out with a fix. It involves new/different German bulbs and a software upgrade.
Rumour is that it's being beta tested currently.
No info yet if it's warranty or owner pay.

sam :-)
 
Yes, I noticed that abt the new model too. Read terrible reviews on the stock headlights. GM might be trying to address the issue, but for the moment i think it's either an owner gets better headlights (I have CCFL headlights) or try not to drive at night/bad weather (which is ridiculous).
 
BadBoy1221 said:
Hey,
I recently bought a 2014 GMC Sierra. I noticed when driving at night, the head lights were not very bright. And there wasn't much of a difference between low beam and high beam. Anyone else notice this with their Sierra? Is it easily fixed by just putting a new bulb in? I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has this issue. Every other silverado or Sierra I've ever driven in have always had amazing head lights.
Click to expand...

Projector headlight systems were originally designed to be used with HID's in your GMC Sierra. Instead of HID's in the 2014 trucks, GM use halogen bulbs instead as the result of headlights of many consider inadequate. Installing HID bulbs Kit helps to partially correct what as a significant design flaw. HID bulbs are not perfect (primarily because of GM's use of inferior lenses and reflectors in the stock projectors) but are a substantial improvement over the stock halogen bulbs.

Aftermarket HID projector retrofits are the best lighting upgrade currently available for your Sierra, but have significantly higher costs then a regular Halogen bulbs and generally require a greater knowledge & skill level to install HID bulb kits.

The majority of HID kits come in either 35 watt or 55 watt. Recommendation, that the 35 watt HID which are 150% brighter than the stock bulbs and not too bright that they draw unwanted attention to your truck or blind other drivers. The color of the light as measured in Kelvin and 3500K is stock yellow, 4500K to 5000K is white, and 6000K is white with hints of blue. Color temps of 7000K & above are very blue/purple and are definitely not recommended.

A HID kit will include two HID bulbs and two ballasts (ballasts regulate the amount of current flowing to the HID bulbs). On the 2014's, the factory headlight wiring contains a type of "electronic noise" known as PWM (pulse-width modulation). When PWN is introduced to the relay or ballasts, it often causes the HID's to flicker/fail and the relay to make a loud buzzing sound. Capacitors correct this issue by filtering out the PWN and passing along a clean signal to the relay/ballasts.

If you purchase a single input harness, you need (1) capacitor to complete a proper install. If you purchase a dual input harness, you need (2) capacitors to complete a proper install. The good news is, the vast majority of vendors only sell them in pairs.

When ordering, you must specify the bulb number, wattage, and color temp

Good luck and stay safe

Molson02536:cool:
 
head lights are terrible

BadBoy1221 said:
Hey,
I recently bought a 2014 GMC Sierra. I noticed when driving at night, the head lights were not very bright. And there wasn't much of a difference between low beam and high beam. Anyone else notice this with their Sierra? Is it easily fixed by just putting a new bulb in? I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has this issue. Every other silverado or Sierra I've ever driven in have always had amazing head lights.
Click to expand...

I bought a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. Great truck with two exceptions, the frame was rusted within a couple of months and the headlamps are absolutely terrible, very dim compared to Chev trucks I have owned. A very disappointing condition that the dealer said there was no fix for. Checked other forums and the consensus appears to be they "suk" (a technical term denoting deep dissatisfaction)
Does anyone know of an aftermarket solution to this GMC design flaw?
Thanks
oldbuck
 
When I first got my 2014 GMC All Terrain. Poor headlights were the first item
notice. Its almost like driving with just Fog lights on. All the new
development and have the headlights take a giant step backwards
 
The solution is available now at your dealer.
It involves 2 new headlight bulbs (German Vosla's) and a BCM reflash.
It's no charge - under warranty.
If your dealer looks at you stupid, quote PIT#5374A dated March 9th, 2015

I've had it done on mine and there is a significant improvement.

sam :-)
 
Go HID

BadBoy1221 said:
Hey,
I recently bought a 2014 GMC Sierra. I noticed when driving at night, the head lights were not very bright. And there wasn't much of a difference between low beam and high beam. Anyone else notice this with their Sierra? Is it easily fixed by just putting a new bulb in? I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has this issue. Every other silverado or Sierra I've ever driven in have always had amazing head lights.
Click to expand...

I put kensun 50 watt hid kit on mine with relay kit. Works great. I also put Putman led lights in my fog lights, amazing experience.
 
Liquorice said:
The solution is available now at your dealer.
It involves 2 new headlight bulbs (German Vosla's) and a BCM reflash.
It's no charge - under warranty.
If your dealer looks at you stupid, quote PIT#5374A dated March 9th, 2015

I've had it done on mine and there is a significant improvement.

sam :-)
Click to expand...



Thank you, I just sent my dealer a e/mail asking to get this done.. When I got my truck and asked about the lights, I was told you got what you got..

EDIT: Told me the parts are coming from Michigan, should be here tomorrow, wants the truck there Wed at 8 A.M.. No questions asked..
 
Last edited:
Asked the service dept twice on this and even sent a link from the
forum. They never got back with me. When asked got the usual
never heard of the problem. Don't care to drive my truck at night
due the poor lighting. Safety problem for sure
 
txag said:
Asked the service dept twice on this and even sent a link from the
forum. They never got back with me. When asked got the usual
never heard of the problem. Don't care to drive my truck at night
due the poor lighting. Safety problem for sure
Click to expand...




I sent this to the service writer, quote PIT#5374A dated March 9th, 2015.. They changed them out right away, just had to wait for the parts..

The service manager thanked me for showing them the fix, he said he did not know of it, and had only one other complaint about it..
 
Not as bad

I have a 2015 sierra, and do not like them at all. Not bright enough, do not like the line the projector lights make on low beam. You cannot see past that. And you will get bright light checked if you are going over a little hill at someone. The engineers really messed up on these 50k pickups concerning the headlights! I have researched a lot of forums and sites to see if there was any fix. There are a lot of people that do not like these lights. I'm going to get with my dealer very soon with the fix that was posted on this thread. But I think they are not as bad as the 2014 from what I have heard about them.
 
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