Headlight Problem (upgraded bulbs)
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Niwot USA
Headlight Problem (upgraded bulbs)
I am really disappointed with the stock headlights. My daughters Honda Civic headlights put out much more light. I upgraded my bulbs to 100watt bulbs but now the headlight socket is getting flaky and appears that I am losing the ground. The headlight lites but is yellow/orange and dim. I believe that the bulb somehow is losing the ground and the light is getting a ground from the high beam circuit.
Has anyone else seen this problem? Does anyone make a upgrade socket or wiring?
//Rick
Has anyone else seen this problem? Does anyone make a upgrade socket or wiring?
//Rick
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
You should be able to remove the terminals from the plastic connector to clean and retighten the terminals. You should be able to stick a small, thin flat screwdriver in from the wire side to release the terminals from the plastic plug.
Jimmy
Jimmy
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
The stockwiring isn't very good for the headlights. I would recommend one of those headlight brightener kits that has a relay and a harness, especially if you are going to use the brighter lights.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
No, they shouldn't be too hard to find. Try searching caspers electronics. We had a kit from them once, not sure if they make one for the 9004 bulbs though.
Trending Topics
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
I'm surprized you don't your headlights, this 98 F150 has (had, read on) some of the nicest lights I've ever had.
aldridgec has it right. 2 problems in modern cars with 100 watt bulbs - first is the heat melting the sockets, second is the wiring is typically sized perfectly for the load and you adding 40%+ more current draw to the circuit can overload it and soften the wire insulation itself, and burn up a whole harness (under hood, underdash fire, big mess...) The headlight relay kits are great.
I just put projectors in my truck and added my own relays and fuses so that nothing I changed can affect the truck wiring. This also makes the lights brighter, and while I was at it I used relays to have the highs and lows on together.
aldridgec has it right. 2 problems in modern cars with 100 watt bulbs - first is the heat melting the sockets, second is the wiring is typically sized perfectly for the load and you adding 40%+ more current draw to the circuit can overload it and soften the wire insulation itself, and burn up a whole harness (under hood, underdash fire, big mess...) The headlight relay kits are great.
I just put projectors in my truck and added my own relays and fuses so that nothing I changed can affect the truck wiring. This also makes the lights brighter, and while I was at it I used relays to have the highs and lows on together.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
By the way, just thought I'd mention - most of the aftermarket headlight kits (check ebay if you don't know what I'm talking about) are terrible. Even if they fit nicely in your car (many don't fit well at all) very few have well engineered beam patterns and adjustability. I put in the Projector-style lights, (from ebay) the ones with the round projector hi/lows and the smaller spot- projector next to it in the same housing. The fit was perfect. And the light pattern is excellent, every bit as nice as stock. (I still have the stock bulbs.) Just giving credit where due.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
crsweet78
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
21
Aug 4, 2012 12:37 AM
Pacerguyel2
Electrical Systems/Wiring
1
Oct 30, 2005 10:01 PM