Headlight problems

[Arashi666]

OK heres the story........... one night in my CL its me and my brother, we get pulled over by a cop and he just informs us that the driver side headlight is out..........OK, no big deal, my expensive Silver Stars were probably running near their limit anyways............

so we get out of the car and swap out highs and lows........... no big deal since I had made a 9005 Low beam conversion a while back......... few days later, I see i'm losing some light on the drivers side again...........again no big problem, I just have no high beams until I replace the bulbs after getting my HID conversion kit in a week or so, I actually inspected everything and found my aftermarket 9003 socket harness had fallen off one of the wires on the factory wires, fixed that and off I went...............

then tonight, just now (Technically this morning as it was about 2AM) driving away from my friends house, it happens AGAIN, same side and all.......... what could be going wrong, is it my car or is it the SIlverstars all burning out and coincidentally all on that same side :? I dunno..... PLEASE HELP


posted about this in all my Honda Forums, but wanted to see what some of y'all thought about this

[kpatz]

Are the bulbs burning out, or are they breaking, or is the bulb OK and it's the connection?

If they're burning out, could be too much heat, vibration, or just a faulty bulb... or they're just at the end of their life span (you said you swapped hi with low, so it wasn't a new bulb anyway).

If they're breaking, maybe you're getting contaminants on them while handling them (don't touch the glass part with your fingers)...

If the bulb is OK, then it's the socket or the connections.

[Arashi666]

Are the bulbs burning out, or are they breaking, or is the bulb OK and it's the connection?

If they're burning out, could be too much heat, vibration, or just a faulty bulb... or they're just at the end of their life span (you said you swapped hi with low, so it wasn't a new bulb anyway).

If they're breaking, maybe you're getting contaminants on them while handling them (don't touch the glass part with your fingers)...

If the bulb is OK, then it's the socket or the connections.

i never touch the bulb glass, because I dont want one exploding in my headlight housing :D

I pull um out and the filaments are burned, thers one small accumulated ball of overheated metal that's on one side of the filament (or what used to be the filament)

yes they have seen their share of use I can say that for certain, so it could be that, but I just find it ammusing that is all on one side, so it could be the heat, vibrations, or any of those things you mentioned........... I might just go out and pick up a whole new harness, these harnesses were put in about a year ago........... one of the connections came loose, so I fixed that as I said in the beginning which I thought was the cause of all this............. ahhhhhhh, I guess we'll see how this plays out, the last thing I wnt is one of my HID bulbs failing when I finally get um in

[trainedmonkey]

I would get a voltage/ampmeter and check the wires coming in to see if everything is good.

Sounds like high heat/ too high voltage/amps; maybe bad grounding with the wiring

[TSi+WRX]

^ Agreed with others above - I, too, think there's something wrong with your wiring. harness, connections, or *something* of an electrical nature on that side, thus causing your repeated problems.

However, the US-Market Sylvania SilverStars are definitely also known for somewhat erratic bulb-life. Many have reported far less than satisfactory bulb-life with these bulbs. This seems to be a highly variable issue.

Personally, I've had two US-Market Sylvania SilverStars burn-out in about 3 months time, while at the same time, I've had others that have lasted 3+ years.

If your vehicle has Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that show varying voltage to the light, this may contribute to a shorter lifespan with the SilverStars. It has been rather consistently reported on my local as well as various "larger/national" Subaru Forums. Additionaly, if you tend to leave your lights "on" - if your vehicle has "auto-off" headlights - and you often start/crank the vehicle while the lights are engaged, the voltage spikes/variances seen has also been known to affect bulb life.

Since you're now one bulb short, just save some money, and grab, say, a Sylvania XTraVision or various "longer life" bulbs made by either the same or another reputable company (i.e. Phillips), and see if they don't last longer.

But before you even install these lights, inspect first your light housing to be sure that there's no obvious leaks (i.e. short from rain), and also trace-back your wiring harness to see that there are no obvious points of abrasion and/or other shorts.


Best of luck!

[Arashi666]

see this is why I like it over here................ all they do over at Honda Tech is oggle over dumb Civics all day long, just dumb asses trying to show off

[TSi+WRX]

:)

I've just had a lot of years with the SilverStars, that's all. :) I think I've had them, on one or another of my vehicles ever since they were first introduced in this country as DOT-approved alternatives.

I don't find them to be much brighter than "standard" alternatives - it's just that I prefer their slightly-whiter color-rendition, which I've found to be even more pleasing that that of many OEM-HID systems (mainly as the yellower color of these standard incandescents helps me somewhat with edge-delineation and depth-perception in less-than-ideal weather).

Just a personal preference, that's all. :)

[Arashi666]

:)

I've just had a lot of years with the SilverStars, that's all. :) I think I've had them, on one or another of my vehicles ever since they were first introduced in this country as DOT-approved alternatives.

I don't find them to be much brighter than "standard" alternatives - it's just that I prefer their slightly-whiter color-rendition, which I've found to be even more pleasing that that of many OEM-HID systems (mainly as the yellower color of these standard incandescents helps me somewhat with edge-delineation and depth-perception in less-than-ideal weather).

Just a personal preference, that's all. :)

you seen the new Silver star ULTRAs, theyve got um over at Autozone in my area, apparantly they offer 30% more output and last longer than regular silverstars while still operating at the same color temperature area as the regular ones............ and I like the look too, both down the road from the drivers seat, and looking at the housings from the outside, just that pure white look, i definately like um over the Cool Blues I had before um :D

[TSi+WRX]

^ Yup, I just saw them the other day, too! :)

I will liklely try these out the next time I need lights, but for the time being, I'm not taking the plunge just yet - gonna await some independent reviews. :) These capsules are expensive!

[Arashi666]

^ Yup, I just saw them the other day, too! :)

I will liklely try these out the next time I need lights, but for the time being, I'm not taking the plunge just yet - gonna await some independent reviews. :) These capsules are expensive!

umm yeah, $50 bucks a twin pack!!!!!!!!!!!! thats ALOT OF MONEY for mere bulbs

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Yeah I'm not a fan of the silverstars. I just use bulbs I find in the drawers in my garage, and I seem to buy a new car before they burn out again :lol:

If something is making the car eat bulbs, I would suspect something in the line to the bulb. Too much juice, did they seem particularly bright before? Check the relays, wiring, what's the volt readout on your X50? Normal?

Could always try throwing the bulb you took out of the car in the first place and see if it dies quickly too.

[Arashi666]

Yeah I'm not a fan of the silverstars. I just use bulbs I find in the drawers in my garage, and I seem to buy a new car before they burn out again :lol:

If something is making the car eat bulbs, I would suspect something in the line to the bulb. Too much juice, did they seem particularly bright before? Check the relays, wiring, what's the volt readout on your X50? Normal?

Could always try throwing the bulb you took out of the car in the first place and see if it dies quickly too.

looked fine to me, X50 reads out at a stable 13.5 to 14V with alternator running and lights on................ they didnt look too bright, just normal, mainly because the Veil was already chipping and I decided to take it off and put it to rest

[TSi+WRX]

If something is making the car eat bulbs, I would suspect something in the line to the bulb. Too much juice, did they seem particularly bright before? Check the relays, wiring, what's the volt readout on your X50? Normal?

Agreed - if the voltage from the cig. lighter/hardline reads fine, then it's probably more than likely something along that particular lamp's wiring that's causing the problem.

It certainly could also be a small enough "issue" that the burn-out problem only arises with the seemingly somewhat "more sensitive" and Q/C "variable" US-Market Sylvania SilverStars - but is effectively hidden if more durable/consitent bulbs are used.

[Arashi666]

well my HIDs come in in a week, so I just hope to god that those dont go out............ hopefuly i'd have fixed the problem by then though........ because now i'm down to 1 bulb (of 4 in there, only one is still functioning)

[TSi+WRX]

Hey bro,

I'd *_honestly_* recommend that you trace down the problem that you're having before you install your HIDs.

If it's a wiring problem, and you're using your stock wiring to energize a "plug-and-play" (bulb, ballast, ignitor) kit, then you could potentially also damage the HIDs (or worse, incur an electrical failure).

Use some el-cheapo bulbs (or your OEM ones, if you still have them laying around) to see if you can't trace it down - make sure it's not the wiring. :)

[Arashi666]

Hey bro,

I'd *_honestly_* recommend that you trace down the problem that you're having before you install your HIDs.

If it's a wiring problem, and you're using your stock wiring to energize a "plug-and-play" (bulb, ballast, ignitor) kit, then you could potentially also damage the HIDs (or worse, incur an electrical failure).

Use some el-cheapo bulbs (or your OEM ones, if you still have them laying around) to see if you can't trace it down - make sure it's not the wiring. :)

sounds good, i'll stop by Autozone and pick up a bulb later, thankfully I can get one for like 5 bucks :D

[V1 Dave]

:)I don't find them to be much brighter than "standard" alternatives - it's just that I prefer their slightly-whiter color-rendition, which I've found to be even more pleasing that that of many OEM-HID systems (mainly as the yellower color of these standard incandescents helps me somewhat with edge-delineation and depth-perception in less-than-ideal weather). Just a personal preference, that's all. :)
Opening an old thread......Had these silver star ultras on since Jan, pretty nice I like them much better, whiter, yellow gone. Got to agree with everything that TSX said, not brighter but whiter.
I know $50 is a lot but CSK always has these on the rebate sheet for $10 off.

[ELVATO]

I've been wondering about the Ultras. I wonder just how much better they are from the Silverstars I have now.

Late last year, I got the "normal" Silverstars for my headlights (80 bucks since I need hi and lo beams :? )

Just recently, went and got the Silverstar foglights, to match. Here are some pictures for comparison. What is important to note from the pictures is the color shift from the stock fogs to the Silverstars. These pictures are not that good for comparing "brightness" because of the nature of the Auto setting on the camera (bigger or smaller aperture depending on ambient brightness.)

Stock
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/Jjokin3much/foglightstock.jpg

Silverstars
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/Jjokin3much/foglightSylvania.jpg

Better look :)
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/Jjokin3much/Sylvanialights.jpg

I have seen that some F150 owners, instead of using the Silverstar fog (9145?) light for their fogs, use a 9005 Silverstar. I do know that some of them complain that this "upgrade" melts their fog light cover. Here are some stats of each:

9005 Silverstar (high beam): 1700 +/- 15% lumens 65 watts
9145 Silverstar fogs: 800 +/- 15% lumens 42 watts

How much damage could be done to the electrical system from putting in higher wattage bulbs? Right now, don't have the money for changing them..though maybe I could return them? :lol: Must find the recipt :P

[NooB1FieD]

I put a set of silver stars in my mazda, they both were fine for about 10 months, then the left burned out, then 2 months later right burned out. 50 bucks is too much for a bulb that lasts less than a year. Stock bulbs from now on. although, I did do a light war with a friend in his civic. Maybe that shortened their life. (cars face head on, and you flash brights as fast as you can, dont ask me why.) :roll:

[ELVATO]

I put a set of silver stars in my mazda, they both were fine for about 10 months, then the left burned out, then 2 months later right burned out. 50 bucks is too much for a bulb that lasts less than a year. Stock bulbs from now on. although, I did do a light war with a friend in his civic. Maybe that shortened their life. (cars face head on, and you flash brights as fast as you can, dont ask me why.) :roll:

LOL....who won? :lol:

[V1 Dave]

I put a set of silver stars in my mazda, they both were fine for about 10 months, then the left burned out, then 2 months later right burned out. 50 bucks is too much for a bulb that lasts less than a year. Stock bulbs from now on. although, I did do a light war with a friend in his civic. Maybe that shortened their life. (cars face head on, and you flash brights as fast as you can, dont ask me why.) :roll:
Ultras last longer and many people don't know it but no not touch the bulb with a bare hand use latex or nitrile gloves, skin oil kills them.

[TSi+WRX]

^ I am approaching this with-caution - I think it's a bit too early to tell about the durability of the Ultras.

With the Sylvania (and to a degree, even the Osram) SilverStars, I've had them burn out anywhere from three weeks to 3+ *YEARS* (and still going on strong). I probably have a dozen sets installed between various of my personal vehicles and that of friends/family.

Typical reported life-span (scanning through various auto-related Forums/d-boards) is truly just as variable, if not even more so - anywhere between 7 *DAYS* to about 2 years.....

There simply seems to be a huge variability - and not all can be attributed to user/installer error. Certainly, I know that I always very, very carefully install mine, and yet, one of the two bulbs of my last set burned out in less than 6 months.

Also, it should be noted that their use in some of the variable-voltage DRL applications and also depending on the "longevity" of the bulb configuration (i.e. the noted shorter life-span of H7 bulbs) also will impact this issue severely.

As with *any* aftermarket lighting, I always recommend my friends/family to simply re-package their take-off factory bulbs in the aftermarkets' blister package, and carry that as back-up in their trunk. :)

I hope that the Ultras will see an improvement in this critical area, which is - in addition to expense, one of my often-cited downfalls of the Sylvania SilverStars.

----

ELVATO -

Typically, a 10W difference isn't enough to melt plastic housings - however, when nearing the 25W-difference range, that becomes a possibility, based on various factors that can influence the amount of heat experienced in that area.

Usually, though, your factory wiring should easily be able to accommodate significant "overwattage" applications - upwards of 40W difference shouldn't be too much to ask, particularly if your vehicle is newer (< 5 years old). The problem often comes in trying to use overwattage bulbs to compensate for clouded/scratched lenses in older vehicles which may have compromised wiring.

Heat, though, from such high-overwattage applications should be carefully monitored, lest you do experience that "melted housing" scenario. :)

[Kremithefrog]

I have silverstars in one of my cars for many years with no problems but a buddy had one blow out in probably a year in his car.
I am now using GE Nighthawks. From my research at the time (maybe a year ago), they are a bit better than silverstars, no coating on them like silverstars. They're also cheaper. And in the car I use them in, I used 9005s instead of 9006s. The wattage isn't way higher so I'm not worried about melting anything and they are plenty bright.

[ELVATO]

I have silverstars in one of my cars for many years with no problems but a buddy had one blow out in probably a year in his car.
I am now using GE Nighthawks. From my research at the time (maybe a year ago), they are a bit better than silverstars, no coating on them like silverstars. They're also cheaper. And in the car I use them in, I used 9005s instead of 9006s. The wattage isn't way higher so I'm not worried about melting anything and they are plenty bright.

I had some GE Nighthawks on the passenger side headlights (I couldn't get the left ones off.) I did not notice any difference at all.

I guess the important thing to remember is that different car will "behave" differently with different headlights. I remeber reading an article in Popsci(?) about aftermarket headlights. They compared the Silverstars, Nighthawks, and another brand with different cars. On some cars, there was an improvement in distance with a certain brand, but a diminish in distance with another. Some cars, the Nighthawks lighted better than the Silverstars, and in others the opposite was true. And in some cases, the aftermarket lights were worse than the stock headlights.

I guess all I can say, in my personal experience with my car, I am pleased with my Silverstars. Headlights so far are about half a year old, while the fogs are a couple weeks.

[TSi+WRX]

...I used 9005s instead of 9006s. The wattage isn't way higher so I'm not worried about melting anything and they are plenty bright.

^ The 9005/9006 modification is an excellent one (no matter how one examines the compromises), and also very easy to do. I recommend it to all my friends who have that application.

:)

---


I guess the important thing to remember is that different car will "behave" differently with different headlights. I remeber reading an article in Popsci(?) about aftermarket headlights. They compared the Silverstars, Nighthawks, and another brand with different cars. On some cars, there was an improvement in distance with a certain brand, but a diminish in distance with another. Some cars, the Nighthawks lighted better than the Silverstars, and in others the opposite was true. And in some cases, the aftermarket lights were worse than the stock headlights.

EXACTLY!!!!

:)

Remember that the "bulb" - the light-generating unit in and of itself - is only 1/2 of the equation.

The other half of it is the reflector/optics assembly of the complete headlight unit.

Certainly, a "brighter bulb" should, and will, give off "more light" in a quantitative sense, but without the ability to properly channel that new energy down-road, the effect is not only far from optimized, but also far from ideal.

:)

To get the best lighting performance, you need not only bright light, but also a way to get the light to focus and "throw" in an optimal pattern. The optics and the bulb must work together.