Worst factory headlight design

[GolfAddict]

Sorry for off-topic but it can help the issue at hand.

I think this was determined to be an urban legend. All you need is clean hands. I wonder if MFRs leave it on their instructions hoping the consumer might accept responsibility for the case where bulb life was very short. Or cuz they can't trust the installer to have clean hands.

Off topic or not, now I have to ask why you can't touch a headlight, or maybe you can but only with clean hands???

 

[3930dave]

Sorry for off-topic but it can help the issue at hand.

I think this was determined to be an urban legend. All you need is clean hands. I wonder if MFRs leave it on their instructions hoping the consumer might accept responsibility for the case where bulb life was very short. Or cuz they can't trust the installer to have clean hands.

Sylvania is pretty good about warranty, 1 year here.

Got in the habit of avoiding the bulb glass years ago (stage-lighting). If the bulb runs hot enough (H7s seem to self-destruct fast, even when handled immaculately), a bit of skin-oil contamination can do it in.

Halogen lamp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I usually put on new nitrile gloves when doing bulbs. If the glass is contaminated, just clean it well with pure rubbing alcohol.

Can't wait for LEDs to come down in price, that is the best solution for these "optimized" headlight pods.

Rgds, D.

 

[dodge man]

I have a 2004 2500 Ram and also had a older Concord, similar to an Intrepid. Yep, very poor design. On the Ram I did switch in some of the high dollar Silverstar light bulbs and re aimed them and that helped a lot.

 

[DFB]

Even my old Durango is way more work than necessary to change a bulb. If your contortionist you can get at the drivers side from inside the engine compartment but the battery is definitely in the way.

My lenses are all yellowed now should I just replace them like in the video or try to clean them in someway?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MntXOWA-fR8

 

[3930dave]

Even my old Durango is way more work than necessary to change a bulb. If your contortionist you can get at the drivers side from inside the engine compartment but the battery is definitely in the way.

My lenses are all yellowed now should I just replace them like in the video or try to clean them in someway?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MntXOWA-fR8

Grey tube Flitz will work. The guys at my buddy's shop have found one or 2 products that work even better for cleaning yellow head light lenses, just can't remember the names at the moment.

I've seen 3M lens cleaning kits on the retail shelf. Haven't tried them, but have never been disappointed with other 3m products I've used.

Rgds, D.

 

[DFB]

Grey tube Flitz will work. The guys at my buddy's shop have found one or 2 products that work even better for cleaning yellow head light lenses, just can't remember the names at the moment.

I've seen 3M lens cleaning kits on the retail shelf. Haven't tried them, but have never been disappointed with other 3m products I've used.

Rgds, D.

Flitz now that's one I don't have.. darn I do have several Turtle Wax buffing compounds plus some Simi Chrome, and Mother's metal cleaners Novus plastic cleaners, and Harley Davidson and Meguiars liquid polishes. That HD stuff works great on my fiberglass shower

Thanks for the tip.

New lens covers aren't cheap

 

[Stimw]

It's a 10 minute job to change the headlight bulb on my 04 Silverado!
You remove a pin and the whole assembly comes out. Then you can even get to the running/turn/marker bulbs.

 

[JJZ 109]

I remember that setup.

Might just be me, but I find metal parts (even with Canadian rust on 'em) typically less irritating than many all-plastic assemblies - I hate going hunting for replacement plastic fasteners.

Rgds, D.

I'm not far across the border from you, we've got the same rust. I can drive 12 miles or less, take a ferry to Wolfe Island, drive across and take another into Kingston. (In season, of course. The ferry on this side doesn't operate in winter.)

Sorry for off-topic but it can help the issue at hand.

I think the "never touch a halogen bulb with finger oils etc" was determined to be an urban legend. It has something to do with uneven temperatures due to the glass can cause the tungsten to re-deposit in the wrong place, causing thinner sections of filament then burning out there (sooner). It was determined that halogen bulbs always redeposits unevenly, that lifetime difference between touched and untouched bulbs were not measurable. Wikipedia doesn't mention the re-depositing theory but says that contaminants on a quartz bulb can cause the bulb to explode. I've never seen that, they only burn out.

All you need is clean hands - wash hands before handling the bulb. I wonder if MFRs leave it on their instructions hoping the consumer might accept responsibility for the case where bulb life was very short. Or cuz they can't trust the installer to have clean hands.

I don't know about urban legend, but the bulbs I just upgraded in my 2007 Crown Vic police interceptor beater contained instructions specifically stating not to touch the glass with fingers.

 

[LD1]

I guess I sould consider myself fortunate that I have never had a difficult bulb to change. My saturn, and 05 dodge truck are pretty easy to get to.

Not sure on my wifes car. Never had to change one. But the spark plugs.......Half a day job that requires removing the intake manifold and lots of other crap. 2008 nissan sentra with 2.0L.

I elected not to change them when recommended. Instead I will change them if there is ever an issue.

 

[Mace Canute]

Sorry for off-topic but it can help the issue at hand.

I think the "never touch a halogen bulb with finger oils etc" was determined to be an urban legend. It has something to do with uneven temperatures due to the glass can cause the tungsten to re-deposit in the wrong place, causing thinner sections of filament then burning out there (sooner). It was determined that halogen bulbs always redeposits unevenly, that lifetime difference between touched and untouched bulbs were not measurable. Wikipedia doesn't mention the re-depositing theory but says that contaminants on a quartz bulb can cause the bulb to explode. I've never seen that, they only burn out.

All you need is clean hands - wash hands before handling the bulb. I wonder if MFRs leave it on their instructions hoping the consumer might accept responsibility for the case where bulb life was very short. Or cuz they can't trust the installer to have clean hands.

Reminds me of National Lampoon's 1964 High School Yearbook parody in which Maria Teressa Spermatzoa was credited with a similar saying..."Did you wash your hands?"