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Headlight bulb burnout

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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 08:03 PM
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Headlight bulb burnout

Ive followed many threads on replacement headlight bulbs. I have a 2020 that I picked up Feb 2020. The factory bulbs lasted about one year. Since then I have replaced all four about two times each. I have replaced the factory bulbs with Sylvania Ultra bright each time. I have owned a lot of vehicles over the last 3 decades and have never had to replace bulbs like this. I can already foretell the replys to this thread. The brighter the light the shorter the bulb. But this is BS. Having to pull the air intake on the passenger side and nothing short of pulling the front end off to replace the driver side I am at my wits end. Is anyone else having these same issues with non LED bulbs?
 
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 09:13 PM
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You didn’t happen to touch the bulbs did you?
 
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Old Feb 21, 2022 | 09:58 PM
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Yup, touching the bulbs to your skin in any way will shorten bulb life greatly, the oil from your skin will make a hot spot and burn it out quickly.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 06:23 AM
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I used latex gloves when I put them in. There is something else thats going on. Just wanted to post and see if anyone else was having the same issue.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 06:36 AM
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I agree it's ridiculous having to disassemble so much to replace a headlight bulb. However it's no secret that Sylvania Ultra bulbs have a shorter life than regular halogen bulbs. It even states this on their website and on the packaging.




 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 06:36 AM
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I would think having the truck apart that many times, you'd see that "nothing short of pulling the front end off" for the driver side bulb is not necessary. Remove the filler neck on the washer tank. Possibly the battery on that side if you have dual batteries. But I didn't have to on a dual battery 2020 7.3 that I owned.
I've had 2017, 2019, 2020 and now 2022 gas trucks. Never had to remove the grille. If you've worn latex gloves for this operation, I'd say that doesn't speak well of the Sylvania bulbs, barring anything wrong with the truck's electrical system.
I'll leave bulb referral to others as that generally starts a battle on this forum.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 06:42 AM
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We had an 07 H0nda Accord that ate headlight bulbs. I tried several different brands. No difference. I checked the running voltage and it was normal. I never did know why it burned bulbs so quickly.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 06:46 AM
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All four needing frequent replacement sounds like you have voltage issues, I would start there.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 07:29 AM
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How many miles, and how often are you running with your lights on? Did all 4 of the OEM bulbs burn out or did you lose 1 and then upgraded to all 4 new Silverstar bulbs?
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 08:08 AM
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There are some other issues that effect bulb life. Just something to think about.

1. Vibration. Not just the "rattle over time" kind but the sudden impact kind. I had a Ranger that got rear ended several times. Minor or no damage but each time all the halogen bulbs back there would fail within a year. In using your truck does the front end get banged into things? Like plowing? My F-150 used tail light bulbs more than I thought it should. I blamed it on impact vibration from slamming the tailgate
2. Bad grounding or other wire harness defect.
3. Short cycle times, Each power cycle the filaments expand and contract. In your usage do the lights get turned on/off a lot?
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 08:33 AM
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Do you have paint protection film covering the front of the headlight? That could be preventing heat from the bulb from dissipating.

I had the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra lights in a prior truck. They lasted quite a while.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 08:41 AM
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I leave the light switch in the off position, not automatic. I don’t want the headlights turning on and off every time I pull in and out of the garage and I don’t want them being used as daytime running lights either. They are too hard to replace. Ford should have separate DRL’s and easy to replace headlight bulbs like my 2004 Chevy.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by GAZZILLA
I leave the light switch in the off position, not automatic. I don’t want the headlights turning on and off every time I pull in and out of the garage and I don’t want them being used as daytime running lights either. They are too hard to replace. Ford should have separate DRL’s and easy to replace headlight bulbs like my 2004 Chevy.
Chevy's separate DRL's aren't something to boust about unless imitating a cyclops is the end game. If I had a dollar for every Chevy I've seen in my travels I could probably retire.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by scraprat
Chevy's separate DRL's aren't something to boust about unless imitating a cyclops is the end game. If I had a dollar for every Chevy I've seen in my travels I could probably retire.
For sure. I had an elderly friend that owned 2004 and 2012 Chevys. I can't tell you how many times I replaced DRL bulbs in those. And yes, there sure seem to be a lot of one eyed trucks out there.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2022 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Poncho450
I would think having the truck apart that many times, you'd see that "nothing short of pulling the front end off" for the driver side bulb is not necessary. Remove the filler neck on the washer tank. Possibly the battery on that side if you have dual batteries. But I didn't have to on a dual battery 2020 7.3 that I owned.
I've had 2017, 2019, 2020 and now 2022 gas trucks. Never had to remove the grille. If you've worn latex gloves for this operation, I'd say that doesn't speak well of the Sylvania bulbs, barring anything wrong with the truck's electrical system.
I'll leave bulb referral to others as that generally starts a battle on this forum.
With a diesel, you need to pretty much disassemble the front end of the truck to get to the headlight bulbs. Gassers have significantly more room up front.
 
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