Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) C2500 Tail Light Assembly

Below is a deep-dive guide to the Chevrolet C2500 tail light-also called the tail lamp, rear brake light, stop lamp, or rear light assembly. It gathers trustworthy facts, rules, how-to tips, and safety data to help readers understand, fix, or upgrade this part.

Overview

The tail light sits at the back corners of every Chevrolet C2500 pickup. It glows steady red so drivers behind you can see the truck, flashes bright red when you hit the brakes or turn, and shines clear white when you reverse. These jobs are required by U.S. lighting law known as FMVSS 108. (eCFR) The C2500 is part of the fourth-generation Chevrolet C/K line (1988-2000), so most trucks in those years use the same basic housing shape. (Wikipedia)

Fitment Years

• 1988-1993 "OBS" C2500 trucks share a two-bulb tail lamp with a red lens and clear reverse section.
• 1994-2000 models kept the same outer shell but added internal divider ribs for better light control. (Wikipedia)
• HD (8-lug) and light-duty (6-lug) versions swap directly; mounting screws and wiring plugs match across bedsides.

Key Functions

A tail light is really a "combination lamp." It handles:

1. Tail/parking - dim red any time the headlights are on. (Wikipedia)
2. Stop/brake - bright red when the brake pedal is pressed. (SAE International)
3. Turn - bright flashing red or amber, controlled by flasher.
4. Reverse - clear or white light for backing up. (Wikipedia)
5. Reflector - molded red reflector that shines back head-lamp beams even if bulbs fail, as FMVSS 108 demands. (eCFR)

Construction

The outer lens is usually impact-resistant polycarbonate, 250 times stronger than glass. (Fabrik Molded Plastics) Polycarbonate also blocks UV rays when coated, so it stays clear longer. (iot) The black housing is molded ABS plastic, sealed with a butyl-rubber gasket and a moisture vent. If a lamp leaks, GM Service Bulletin 02-08-42-001 guides inspection before replacement. (NHTSA)

Bulb & LED Options

• Incandescent - The factory bulb is a dual-filament 3157 wedge that draws 27/8 watts.
• LED retrofit - Drop-in LED wedges cut power draw by ~80 % and reach full brightness in 2 ms, giving following drivers more time to react.
• Color - U.S. law requires red for tail/stop and white for reverse; amber rear turn lamps are allowed and can lower crash odds by up to 28 %.

Wiring & Fuses

• Wire colors (bed harness): yellow left turn, dark green right turn, light blue brake feed, black ground. (JustAnswer)
• The tail/park fuse is a 20-amp mini-blade in the under-dash panel (fuse 9 on many 1997 trucks). (StartMyCar)

Regulations

FMVSS 108 spells out candlepower, color, and placement. Lamps must be at least 380 mm above the ground and visible from 45° left to right. (eCFR) Many states echo this; Illinois, for example, says rear lamps must be visible 500 ft at night. (Illinois General Assembly) The Federal Register keeps updates; the 2018 revision clarified adaptive lighting rules. (Federal Register)

Installation Steps

1. Lower tailgate.
2. Remove two T15/T20 screws holding the lamp to the bedside.
3. Pull lamp straight back; do not twist.
4. Rotate bulb sockets ¼-turn counter-clockwise.
5. Swap bulb or install new lamp, reverse steps to finish. Torque screws snug-hand tight only to avoid cracking the lens.

Maintenance

• Wash lenses with car-wash soap, not abrasive cleaners, to avoid haze.
• If condensation appears, remove bulbs, let the housing dry, and replace the gasket or add a vent patch. (NHTSA)
• Inspect wiring yearly for chafing near the hitch harness.

Troubleshooting

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Safety Benefits

Research shows faster LED rise time can cut rear-end crashes by ~5 %. A working center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL) adds another 4 % reduction. Keeping lenses clean and bulbs bright makes a real difference in reaction time.

Environmental Notes

LED upgrades draw less current and last up to 50,000 hours, reducing battery load and waste bulbs. (iot) Old incandescent bulbs should be recycled as e-waste because the glass and metal can be reused.

Custom Ideas

• Smoked lenses look stylish but can dim light below legal limits-check local rules before installing.
• Sequential LED boards light segments in order and can be wired to factory turn circuits.
• Bed-rail auxiliary lamps add extra red LEDs above the tailgate for taller loads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb goes in a 1995-2000 C2500 tail light?
A: A dual-filament 3157 wedge bulb rated at 27/8 watts.

Q: Are LED bulbs legal in my truck?
A: Yes, if they are labeled "SAE" or "DOT" and stay red for stop/tail; bright white for reverse. (eCFR)

Q: My left brake light works but the right one doesn't-why?
A: Check the dark-green wire and socket on the right side; that circuit powers the right brake/turn lamp. (JustAnswer)

Q: Can I add amber turn signals?
A: You can install a lens with an amber section or use an amber LED and re-pin the harness; FMVSS 108 allows amber rear turns.

Q: What torque should I use on the mounting screws?
A: Hand tighten only-about 25-30 in-lb-to keep the plastic from cracking. (GM lists this range in service bulletins.) (NHTSA)

Q: My tail light fogs up after rain. What should I do?
A: Remove it, dry it, and reseal the gasket. GM's moisture bulletin explains inspection steps. (NHTSA)

Q: Do I need two tail lights?
A: Yes. U.S. law requires one on each side, both red and visible 500 ft at night. (Illinois General Assembly)

Q: Is the center high-mount stop lamp part of the tail light?
A: No. It is a separate lamp above the cab but works with the same brake switch.

Q: How long does an incandescent bulb last?
A: A standard 3157 lasts about 2,000 hours; LEDs can last 25-50 times longer.

Q: Why does my new LED bulb hyper-flash?
A: LEDs draw less current, so the flasher thinks a bulb is out. Add a resistor or use an LED-ready flasher relay.

By following the facts above, you can keep your Chevrolet C2500's tail lights-your tail lamps, brake lights, and rear light assemblies-bright, legal, and safe on every drive.