Headlight question

[Green1]

hrmm... the bulbs in the new headlights LOOK fine, they just burned out soon... on the bright side (no pun intended) the bulbs from the old lights fit fine in the new headlights, so I had a set of "spare" bulbs ready to go!

On a side note, considering the expense and hassle of acquiring these replacement headlights, and considering the roads in Canada, I HIGHLY recommend investing in some of the clear plastic adhesive protective film for headlights, I just did my headlights, fog lights, and front signal lights today, hopefully it will save me future problems...

[James@JDM]

We have had quite alot of problems with headlight bulbs blowing after retro fitting these new lights, now as standard we fit new Canadian light bulbs as part of our pre-service package. So far they have been fine...

[northvanmatt]

Oh man glad I am not the only one I have changed my bulbs many times and they keep going out. It is a f*&%king pain. I got fed up and took my deli in to the shop and they told me that the headlights seem to run very hot and the bulbs have a plastic sheeth on them and when they get hot the plastics melts off and causes the bulb/ fuse to blow. They figure it is a design flaw of the lights so they added some extra insulators to the lights to control the heat. Also they noted that the way the lights are put together there are pieces that touch that shouldn't so they moved stuff around and so far so good. I hope this solves the problem but on the flip side I got quite good at taking the lights out :lol:

[sean]

So I ended up with a burnt out driver's side bulb on my DRL. Is the part number in the FAQ sections (MB 8311282) a Canadian part number ie. Lordco?

[Green1]

if it's the low beam bulb in the headlight module then it's a standard H3-55 available at every auto-parts store. (high beam is an H1-55)

the ones that come with the E coded headlights don't seem to last long, however once changed out the first time seem to be ok after that.

[torchard]

I'll chime and and confirm I had this same issue also - that the bulbs which came with the e-coded replacement headlights --both-- blew within the first week. I replaced them with standard H3s and they've been fine (knocking on wood as I write this) since.

A suggestion to the compliancing mechanics out there that perhaps you should replace these beforehand to save your buyers some hassle - seeing as they are only about five bucks a pop.

--Todd

if it's the low beam bulb in the headlight module then it's a standard H3-55 available at every auto-parts store. (high beam is an H1-55)

the ones that come with the E coded headlights don't seem to last long, however once changed out the first time seem to be ok after that.

[DelicaMark]

Same has happened to me. Passenger side low beam has burnt out after two weeks. I took everything apart and managed to get the bulb out but I could not get the actual light assembly out. The aiming screws were getting in the way. Is there a trick to getting the entire light assembly out? I can get at the low beam bulb but if the high beams go there is no way I can reach those without taking out the entire light assembly.

Note, I did take off the indicator assembly and the three bolts holding the headlight assembly on. Everything is loose and ready to come out but the aiming screws seem to be in the way.

Good to hear about the replacement bulbs potentially being better!

-Mark

[Green1]

the trick to getting the assemblies out is simply patience, combined with just the right angles, and a few cuss words...

they DO come out, and there isn't really a special method, just keep wiggling them around until you figure out how to slide them out...

[EricN]

While you have them out, swap out the adjusters for the ones from the original lights (if you still have them). These aftermarket ones are junk. You have almost no chance of the things surviving the first adjustment. I assume everyone is getting the same ones since I also had the bulbs blow in no time.

[DelicaMark]

I also found that the amount of light that comes out of these lights is almost unsafe. I checked in at Lordco for some brighter version of the H3 bulbs and they had some PIAA H3 bulbs. I took one for the team and bought them for $35 + tax for a pair and installed them yesterday. For me it was totally worth the money. These PIAA bulbs are waaaay better. They give an equalvalent of 85W but still only draw the 55W that the system is designed for. They had a better version that gave 110W equalvalent light but they were even more. I think I will try the PIAA H1 for the high beams.

Hopefully these PIAA bulbs last and I didn't waste my money....I will keep you all posted.

The adjusters on mine have not broken yet but they do seem a little on the cheap side. I will keep that in mind Eric if they do break.

-Mark

[Erebus]

A reminder that when you are changing bulbs (and this applies to ALL halogen bulbs), DON'T touch the glass part with your fingers. Use a kleenex to handle the glass, or touch only the metal parts.

Touching the glass with your fingers will leave a fingerprint, and the skin oils will absorb the heat, creating a hotspot and resulting in shorter bulb life.

[DelicaMark]

I see from this post that I put in the PIAA bulbs on Sept 6, 2007 and the left low beam burnt out again today. Not that impressed! I don't think it is the bulb but more likely something is up with the headlight. I had almost thought I had got most things dealt with on the beast.....I am okay with the "it is 15 years old argument" for most things but the headlights are only a few months old.

I guess I need to take out the headlights and give them a good look and check connections and voltage etc....any other thoughts would be appreciated.

-Mark

[EricN]

I was going to say something back then Mark but figured it was too late anyways. I have seen so many of those "high power" headlight bulbs fail way too quickly. They just seem to run too hot and cant take any vibration. Plus using them for the DRL they just never seem to last (in my experience). Try just a normal "name brand" halogen bulb.

[Erebus]

I've got two suggestions:

1) Check the wiring on the headlights. When Green1 was helping me install my LHD headlights, we noticed on his and mine that some of the wiring was just twisted together, not soldered. That could result in a high frequency intermittent which would quickly burn out a bulb.

2) Buy the bulbs at a truck stop. There exist bulbs labeled something like "high vibration" or "truck use". Since the big rigs when idling vibrate pretty good, they make bulbs that take that into account. Probably more expensive, but if it avoids having to change bulbs ... Good possibility they are available at crappy tire, lordco, NAPA, etc.

[knight]

I see from this post that I put in the PIAA bulbs on Sept 6, 2007 and the left low beam burnt out again today. Not that impressed! I don't think it is the bulb but more likely something is up with the headlight. I had almost thought I had got most things dealt with on the beast.....I am okay with the "it is 15 years old argument" for most things but the headlights are only a few months old.

I guess I need to take out the headlights and give them a good look and check connections and voltage etc....any other thoughts would be appreciated.

-Mark

I used to have a similar light setup on my civic. H3/H1 I found the piaa's in the low beam would burn out in about 6-8 months on a regular basis. On the civic the running lights where of the high beam, and never had issues with them burning out fast. The sylvania silverstar lasted much longer, but I wasnt able to find them in Canada, had to buy them in the states.

That being said I am running the piaa in the deli, will see if I get better luck.