I have been having a problem with the right front low beam headlight recently. The bulbs seem to keep blowing. The latest one to go was a Sylvannia Cool Blue. I had tried sets of those inexpensive "xenon" style bulbs and had about 3 bulbs blow on me in a 2 month period. I recently did the 9005/9006 conversion and replaced the bulb that was in there with a Sylvannia one. 1 week later, the Sylvannia bulb has blown out. The previous bulb was in for a good 2 months without blowing, but one thing I did notice when I just replaced it, was that the glass on the bulb had a bit of a "bulge" in it. Does this indicate some kind of voltage problem? Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

if you actually touched the bulb itself that would explain it the oils off ur fingers cause the bulb to burn out... if thats not the cause those crappy xenon bulbs are a waste of money in reality the best light u can get is either stock or real deal HIDS

 

Thanks for the input, but no....I did not touch the bulbs at all. I agree with you that the light from the "crappy xenon's" isnt very good, thus my 9006/9005 conversion. I had a run of that particular side bulb burning out 3 times within a month, but the strange thing as I have stated id that the last bulb that was in there had lasted over 4 months and the only reason I had replaced it was to dothe conversion thing. I have to think that the "bulge" I found on the glass of the bulb might offer some clue as to what is happening with this particular headlight.

 

The bulge that you talk about is indicative of oil on the bulb, from your hands or otherwise. It is possible that moisture is entering your headlamp assembly somehow also. Just to figure out what is wrong try using a standard 9005 or 9006(cheap) and clean the bulbs well with alcohol and a clean dry cotton cloth. If they last longer then it would have to be a problem with those other bulbs. You can check the voltage with a voltmeter also, should be between 12-14.4 volts.

 

Thanks for the input. I've pretty much ruled out the "bulb" theory as it only happens on one side always. Perhaps there is some moisture getting in that side housing somehow. Perhaps I will have to take the assembly right out and apart and inspect it more closely. It is definitely not my hands touching the bulbs though.

 

Does that particular headlight fog up? Might wanna have that headlight sealed and see if that helps any.

 

Wipe the bulb w/ alcohol, anyway, no matter if you did or didn't touch the bulb.

As to why the same lamp keeps going out, condensation in that particular unit, dripping onto a hot bulb, could do it.

As wiring ages, the resistance increases b/c of corrosion, so try scuffing the metal parts in the connectors and buy and smear dielectric grease on all connector contact surfaces.

Last, after trying the other two suggestions, buy an aftermarket wiring harness from SUVlights.com, competition Ltd., etc. and some Hella relays and wire past the bad wiring (these harnesses are 99% plug and play).

 

try cleaning the bulbs w/ rubbing alcohol and a clean lint free cloth before putting them in.. also make sure you dont touch the bulb after and that you dont scratch the bulb against the headlight assembly or anything else as you are putting it on.. does that headlight fog up or condensate? other than that i dont know.. never had this problem