Headlight bulb question
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
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Headlight bulb question
I just put in some bright headlights and now my electrical system has gone haywire. One light is bright and the other is not. I tap on the lens and they switch. Once, both went out on me. Do I need a relay or something?
Spaggs
Spaggs
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 2
From: Greensboro, NC
I think we need more information on exactly what was changed? Just a higher wattage bulb in the existing socket? Have you removed the bulbs and gone back to stock wattage to see if the problems persist?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
Wow - sounds like fun - NOT 
Hmmmm...
Debug mode...
is the headlite bulb the only thing that changed ?
is it possible one of those sharp corners nicked a wire and is shorting ?
What make model engine ?
What wattage did you put in ?
good luck
on edit - td and I typed at the same time - he just types faster than me I guess
Hmmmm...
Debug mode...
is the headlite bulb the only thing that changed ?
is it possible one of those sharp corners nicked a wire and is shorting ?
What make model engine ?
What wattage did you put in ?
good luck
on edit - td and I typed at the same time - he just types faster than me I guess
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 4
I can warn you about the high output eBaY junk..... whatever you put in, check the plug going into the headlight after they have been on for about 15 to 20 minutes. If the plug and wiring is hot as a firecracker you need to switch back to a normal headlight. The "super white 5000K" bulbs I bought on eBaY were frying my plug and wiring.
I replaced them with the 4300K Sylvania Silverstar. The plug and wiring now have no significant heat associated with them at all.
I replaced them with the 4300K Sylvania Silverstar. The plug and wiring now have no significant heat associated with them at all.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Sheboygan WI
I can warn you about the high output eBaY junk..... whatever you put in, check the plug going into the headlight after they have been on for about 15 to 20 minutes. If the plug and wiring is hot as a firecracker you need to switch back to a normal headlight. The "super white 5000K" bulbs I bought on eBaY were frying my plug and wiring.
I replaced them with the 4300K Sylvania Silverstar. The plug and wiring now have no significant heat associated with them at all.
I replaced them with the 4300K Sylvania Silverstar. The plug and wiring now have no significant heat associated with them at all.
Did you do the low and high beams....was it an easy job/upgrade? I hate how dim the factory lights are. Thanks Dakrri
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Your issue sounds like a ground problem to me. If you are unlucky enough to have 9008/H13 bulbs ('05-'07 headlights) and you 'upgraded' to higher wattage bulbs - well, there's your problem! Look at the headlite pigtail, the center pin is the ground... I have Hella bulbs from www.rallylights.com - no need for any more light and I drive ALOT at nite.
The relay harnesses just insure full battery power to bulbs, stock wiring can allow quite a drop in voltage.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 4
It isn't. It just heats the wiring up to frying temperatures.
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