How To: Repair Headlight Pigtail Socket | Common Issue | Suburban, Tahoe, Silverado, and Similar GM

[@justensnow4273]

Seriously the best video for this. I just did my SIlverado side with a torch style lighter, you don't need anything fancy folks. The connector is $20 from O'Reilly's or AutoZone.

[@AxlesGarage]

Thank you

[@xfallenxbeliefx]

Thank you so so sooo much for posting this. I had both of mine headlight sockets melt, and this is such an easy and inexpensive fix.

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it helped!

[@ms.ladybugsamuels6324]

I agree❤❤

[@acceptedfair]

Just had to do my connector on my drivers side of my Silverado, I appreciate the time and effort put into the video. Made my life easier and saved me some money.

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it helped

[@stoney082]

Your videos show up on a lot of my searches and each one is helpful, so I figured it was about time I subscribed. Thanks for the info!

[@fooseball131]

With any luck your video just saved me a headache and a massive bill. What a guy

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad to help

[@xlderecklx]

Just did this fix on my passenger headlight socket! Thanks so much man! My 2002 trailblazer wires were oxidized with green coloring and the wiring was brittle and destroyed all the way to the black insulation. I had to go all the way to the end of the wire and get plenty of electrical tape to cover whatever was left to make sure the wires don't touch. All in all, it now works, thank you so much!

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad to help

[@PaulTavaras-s4k]

I too, had the driver's side H11 socket burn out on me. This video was invaluable in both time and money spent. Thank you!

[@AxlesGarage]

Thank you

[@samuelarthurs4458]

This was the only video I could find on this exact situation and you guided us through it perfectly. Thank you!

[@decadesofsegregation9677]

This video was a huge help in getting me to do this myself and I appreciate it you saved me a shit load of money! Thank you from one Long Island or to another!

[@hannahmontierth4609]

Thank you so much. This explains why my headlights are not working. I thought it might be the wiring. This made it so much easier to figure out how to do it.

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it helped

[@univac7677]

Did this tonight for my 07 Colorado. Front end has a bunch of clips you have to take out which are a pain but the connector plug worked the same way.

[@EveDallas]

Im so glad i finally found a video that describes exactly whats happening with my nissan rougue

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad to help

[@BigRedMachine94]

I have a 08 Ford F-150, same exact issue, thank you for the video!

[@TruthSeeeker777]

Appreciate the video. Especially when you made a slight mistake by cross wiring and still continued the video while you adapted the high bean to work with the low beam. Great insight...Thank you!

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it helped

[@derekmason7667]

Awesome video. This should help me with my exact same problem on a 2013 Ford Focus. I hate that the wite gauge is so cheap with these. Ive also noticed that more than half of other cars with one headlight out have been fords, so i kinda makes me laugh and regret my car choice, but its paid off. Thanks again for the solid video.

[@carlossiordia9645]

Im here for the exact same car haha. 2013 Ford Focus. I changed the socket and it worked for a bit before it fried again. The other headlight fried also leaving me with only highbeams. I changed the whole headlight housing and now one of them fried AGAIN! That makes it 4 times this has happened in less than a year. Did you manage to fix the issue?

[@ApexBoomster]

Thank you for the walk through and in turn helping me swap the socket out.

[@danielpyoung]

Thank you so much! Very informative. Helped me out tremendously as I would’ve spent the whole day running back n forth to the store trying to figure it all out.

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it helped!

[@loverssky13]

Im about to do the same with my siverado. It seems to be loose at the connector. Dont mind changing the whole end. Gotta be much cheaper than the whole wiring harness for those

[@olenaerhardt7725]

On our 2003 Chevy Cavalier the burned socket has 3 wires: Black in the middle, Red and Green (Green is burned) on the sides. A new socket I bought has 3 wires - all Black. Does it matter which one goes on Red which one on Green, if I connect central Black wires together? Thank you for so useful and informative film.

[@Kurogane_666]

My 2010 Sierra I had the same issue when I bought it in September 2022, I spliced in replacement connectors for both sides and then now in May 2023, I'm switching the harness for old one that I had hopefully this works because I'm using Philips light bulbs, the factory are too dim, I might be like everyone else and get LEDs just to piss people off lol

[@AxlesGarage]

It's a chronic problem in these harnesses

[@ronaldcrenfro4637]

Like the way you repaired this problem... I had same problem with my 2000 chev Tahoe LT

[@AxlesGarage]

Thank you sir

[@Dripgod816]

@@AxlesGaragewill this work for a 2013 Escalade?

[@thatguykai479]

I just bought after market headlights for my Honda accord spyder auto to be specific I had to zip tie the connector just like you because for some reason my lights completely went out and they were brand new. Would this happen to fix my problem I love these lights and I’d hate to spend another couple hundred.

[@arebee92]

So far, I liked your how to video the best. Thank you!

[@AxlesGarage]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kasm_nME]

Love that the garage was established the same year I was😏

[@AxlesGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@georgecarrasco4356]

Would this process be the same for a Nissan Rogue Sport low beam connector?

[@whip3cs493]

Thanks for the video! Is this something I can pickup at an auto store

[@olenaerhardt7725]

This film was very encouraging for me, since I feel more comfortable to do that solder split, than crimp butt (I've never crimped before). Also it was useful to see that you can cover the connection with a tape. I thought 1st to cover w/a shrink tube but it is so much better w/tape, since you can always open that tape to see and check the connection done. And I've seen some films with statements that it is much better to crimp than to solder on anything in a car. May I know what is the name of that small heat gun you used in the film? I have one, but it is bigger. Thank you.

[@AxlesGarage]

Butane micro torch: amzn.to/3HWvJgY

[@olenaerhardt7725]

@@AxlesGarage Thank you. I think I'll go with a small torch for the kitchen, so it can be used in more applications.

[@olenaerhardt7725]

@@AxlesGarage Thank you. I think I'll go with a small torch for the kitchen, so it can be used in more applications.

[@minos13]

I have a 2010 traverse. Would this work instead of replacing the headlight wiring harness entirely, and having to go through all that work? Great video btw.

[@AxlesGarage]

Yes it will

[@matthewadonis3020]

I’m in NY any way you can do this for my vehicle?

[@daveshostack4950]

my previous 2004 malibu which was the old style with 9005 bulbs never had a melting problem. The melting problem happened with H9 AND H11 BULB SOCKETS. which was on my 2004 Malibu, new style.

[@AxlesGarage]

Yep, much more heat generated with the H series bulbs. Makes the sockets and wire ends brittle.

[@llunaricardo78]

I replaced it once already, but plug burned again, why would it do that a second time if I might ask. Any help would be appreciated.

[@AxlesGarage]

Use a high quality pigtail, they burn up because of poor connections causing heat.

[@mercedesbankhead6620]

Will this same fix work for my 2015 Hyundai accent? I just bought a new socket today and a mechanic at the store charging me $50 to fix it 😩 if I show this video to my brother I’m sure he can do it

[@AxlesGarage]

Similar

[@TheMasterkiller24]

Just out of curiosity can these pigtails be changed for deutsch connectors????

[@dvdavellaneda]

Thanks for the video. It definitely helped. My current problem is not getting power to one headlight fuse. Any suggestions?

[@AxlesGarage]

Gotta trace it out, probably got a corroded connector. It's a pain to find. Good Luck

[@thejayreynolds]

Just the information I needed. thank you!

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheRealSmoke352]

Super helpful video. Doing this on my 2010 ford edge

[@westabsupplyebay4093]

Thanks for the video, I've had to do something similar but with an electric scooter, used Klein tool gloves though, gonna have to do this again but with my honda Accord.

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it helped

[@sertsert-uz6jn]

Great video, what are the plastic things called? The thing that you used to connect them? With the low temper solder? Thank you

[@AxlesGarage]

Low Temp solder connectors amzn.to/3ILUp9Z

[@jasongonzalez5218]

So I replace my headlight bulbs at the same time and I noticed that one of the bulbs doesn't get enough power,I checked the fuses, and they were fine, what should I do. It's a Chevy equinox 2013

[@marcojeda1172]

Thanks dad!

[@quickchrome2012]

If one of the bulb pin s burned do I have to replace the bulb. It still works but one pin is burned

[@AxlesGarage]

I would

[@robertshulman2108]

Made me nervous to watch you cutting towards your thumb. Glad you didn't slip!

[@AxlesGarage]

You and me both!

[@dreya1868]

Can the heat source be from anything ? Like a torch ?

[@AxlesGarage]

yes

[@chrisdavis1065]

My truck has a yellow wire and a black wire my pig tail has black wires does it matter what wire is hooked to which

[@AxlesGarage]

Would only matter if the power side is a different gauge wire than the ground side, or if you had led bulbs. Easy enough to check with a meter

[@jonnathenurbieta5551]

If mine are black & red do I just get the same socket connection w the same color?

[@AxlesGarage]

Color of wire doesn't matter as long as the socket is correct

[@swissarmywife2039]

Do I need to disconnect the battery before the repair or is it okay to just have the vehicle off?

[@AxlesGarage]

Technically yes, but I never have

[@kennethhodges9383]

Thanks ,I think after the first notch comes loose then turn 180 degrees and the second notch will loosen

[@AxlesGarage]

Thanks for Watching

[@magdalenoybarra2793]

cool beans Alex ! nicely done.

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad to help

[@chaecurry2255]

& here I was about to buy new headlights

[@rahksayeed4837]

Which local is this.

[@AxlesGarage]

Not sure what the question is

[@davidbigley789]

My headlight keeps going out. If I wiggle the pigtail it comes back on, sometimes for a few minutes sometimes for a few hours. Already replaced the pigtail. My mechanic recommended to try LEDs but I'm skeptical. Any advice?

[@AxlesGarage]

I have found some brands of pigtails to be better quality than others. LEDs would definitely lighten the load

[@roncrawford2416]

Wish my 2012 was that easy to do without removing fender wells, engine covers, grills, bolts, etc., JUST to REACH the back of the headlight.

[@robertshulman2108]

Surprised that there are different connectors for 9005 bulbs!

[@AxlesGarage]

Yep, done this before. Also you can do this in reverse to put the brighter 9005 in the low beam socket.

[@gernblanston2161]

Perfect pacing, nicely done, thank you

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad to help

[@Volundur9567]

Kevlar gloves for my clumsy self

[@AxlesGarage]

LOL

[@michellemichelle8775]

You are absolutely amazing!! Thank you for your useful videos!

[@AxlesGarage]

Thank you for the kind words

[@ernieparsons1212]

Thank you ,very informative.

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ClaudiaMartinez-cg2ov]

If I don't have the heating gun, putting black tape on it would work to join the cables.

[@dueysole-o5937]

Yeah or go to autozone and buy the clear looking butt connectors and a lighter will work just fine

[@dueysole-o5937]

And not just any tape electrical sorry if I’m late

[@yanielcamacho2725]

Thanks 🙏

[@Bubbajuggalo]

Thanks dad

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad to help

[@daveshostack4950]

MANY OF THE REPLACEMENTS FROM DOORMAN AND NOVITA ARE JUNK SO WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. THEY JUST MELT AGAIN ON MY MALIBU

[@larryterhaar6576]

Which one did u get that didn't melt?

[@daveshostack4950]

@@larryterhaar6576 which one did you get that did not melt?

[@larryterhaar6576]

@@daveshostack4950 Have you found one that doesn't melt?

[@mannyvaldez9741]

Appreciate this vid

[@AxlesGarage]

Glad to help

[@phongv4073]

Great trouble shooting tips when replace a plug incorrect.

[@AxlesGarage]

Thank you

[@Boyzofsummer1]

What’s causing this problem

[@AxlesGarage]

A poorly designed electrical load

[@ed2345]

was hoping to see a new connector pinned to old wiring. Would be more professional

[@AxlesGarage]

If it works...

[@dragonsofthesky7459]

Thank you sir

[@AxlesGarage]

Welcome

[@mariolyndennis6622]

Awesome 😮😅😊

[@AxlesGarage]

Thanks

[@stevebeavers7091]

I would use a solder gun to melt the plastic away looks safer , just saying if that would have slip you would cut your finger, just saying not trying to put video down just look like stitches to me

[@AxlesGarage]

Yeah I get it

[@doctordef324]

That's an old model for the headlight to come out like that so easily

[@AxlesGarage]

all the GMT-800's were like that

[@arnemalmkvist8553]

I wonder if GM folk have a cloe about OHM law , the cabel is wrong AWG in Eroupe mm2 Cabel is to small its are like a resitor thats the problem , chep kabel from GM , custumer get the problem . See japanes car or erupa car biger area

[@AxlesGarage]

Thanks for the input.

[@candacesturtevant7139]

Thank you from a woman. May I get it done.

[@AxlesGarage]

You're welcome

[@derreisturner3310]

Part number is 9006

[@AxlesGarage]

Yes, got the wrong one.

[@derreisturner3310]

He got 9005

[@AxlesGarage]

yep

[@Bosshogmma]

I literally just zip tied mine lol

[@AxlesGarage]

Too funny

[@steverainwater8313]

Very not helpful lol didn't tell anyone if it matters the colors

[@AxlesGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@foreverfragrance7]

My 06 chevy Malibu low beam had 3 wires, 2 black and 1 yellow. How do i connect it? My new pigtails only have two wires.