Whats up with my headlights???

[redoodlebug]

My 07 Beetle is eating headlights like there is no tomorrow! Since January I have replaced both left and right low beams....twice! I'm very careful when replacing to avoid touching the bulbs as I am aware that causes them to blow. I'm using Sylvania SilverStar bulbs. Any idea as to whats going on, or maybe a suggestion of a better brand replacement?

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by redoodlebug

I'm using Sylvania SilverStar bulbs.

There is your problem. Silverstars seem to have very poor life, particularly in the H1 application likely due to the small size of the bulb and the resulting higher temps. The coating on these bulbs increases the temp.

Use plain old regular halogen bulbs, problem solved.

[redoodlebug]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

There is your problem. Silverstars seem to have very poor life, particularly in the H1 application likely due to the small size of the bulb and the resulting higher temps. The coating on these bulbs increases the temp.

Use plain old regular halogen bulbs, problem solved.

My 07 takes the H7 bulb. I've replaced low beams on both sides twice since January, and ironically both sides are burning out within a couple days of each other. That seems strange to me.

[boogety boogety]

It's probably not the Silverstars, I have had them and still have them on all my vehicles, and not one of them has ever burned out on me. Ever. I like to change the fogs to match, too, and sure, they don't get as much use as the headlights, but even there... never a change required. So I'm talking a small sample here (sixteen over the years), but still, I'm batting 100%.

I do have a ScanGage II, though, and I've attached it to the OBDII port on each of my vehicles just to see what they do... and both my '03 and '06 NBCs exhibit a wild range of voltages, from 11.5v to 14.5v, swinging back and forth when stopped or driving for no obvious reason. None of the other vehicles I've monitored exhibit such a variance, although everything seems to work in the NBs with no apparent lights dimming, radio volume changing, etc. So, as long as everything works, I don't care. So consider that, for whatever it's worth, that's my observations...

[redoodlebug]

Originally Posted by boogety boogety

It's probably not the Silverstars, I have had them and still have them on all my vehicles, and not one of them has ever burned out on me. Ever. I like to change the fogs to match, too, and sure, they don't get as much use as the headlights, but even there... never a change required. So I'm talking a small sample here (sixteen over the years), but still, I'm batting 100%.

I do have a ScanGage II, though, and I've attached it to the OBDII port on each of my vehicles just to see what they do... and both my '03 and '06 NBCs exhibit a wild range of voltages, from 11.5v to 14.5v, swinging back and forth when stopped or driving for no obvious reason. None of the other vehicles I've monitored exhibit such a variance, although everything seems to work in the NBs with no apparent lights dimming, radio volume changing, etc. So, as long as everything works, I don't care. So consider that, for whatever it's worth, that's my observations...

I've used SilverStars in my other cars with much success, so I dont think its a brand issue. The car doesnt show signs of any other electrical issues. As a matter of fact, other than the headlights I havent had to replace another single bulb on the entire car (of course 4 bulbs @$20 each since January is enough). If the problem continues I guess I'll have no choice but to take it to the stealership and see if they can figure it out (fat chance huh).

[Lnzbug]

I was changing mine left & right waaaay too often. Then I bought a bunch at once from an orger and they stopped going out . I did just replace the pass side the other day though.

[noR]

I use a $7 bulb from advanced autoparts. Recommend you try them.

After a decade of ownership here's what I think the problem really is though:
There's some kinda drain on the system at random intervals. Some pump or some system 'powering up' which drains alot from the system. I'd get these "brown outs" where the headlights would dim and then come back up to full power.

I think the silverstars are built to expect a constant voltage; but when that spike hits, it doesn't really handle it super well.

Maybe you know enough electrical voodoo to add an in-line capaciter; I think that would "fix the headlights" ... but I still think the larger issue is elsewhere. And I've never seen it solved 100%.

[redoodlebug]

Originally Posted by noR

I use a $7 bulb from advanced autoparts. Recommend you try them.

After a decade of ownership here's what I think the problem really is though:
There's some kinda drain on the system at random intervals. Some pump or some system 'powering up' which drains alot from the system. I'd get these "brown outs" where the headlights would dim and then come back up to full power.

I think the silverstars are built to expect a constant voltage; but when that spike hits, it doesn't really handle it super well.

Maybe you know enough electrical voodoo to add an in-line capaciter; I think that would "fix the headlights" ... but I still think the larger issue is elsewhere. And I've never seen it solved 100%.

Nope, no knowledge of any electrical voodoo on my end, other than having a good idea that 4 headlights in less than 3 months sounds like there's an electrical gremlin in the system somewhere. On my next replacement (and at this point its inevitable) I'm going to check out those $7 bulbs at Advanced.

[buckod]

i have an 08. bought the Silverstars caues the idiot at the part store said they have better life than the ULTRAs.

4 months and they burned out. replaced them with a JP buld which over heated and melted the glass (distorted). Now i have the Ultras in and we'll see how long they last.

I am a light-guy, i like knowing that i have better vision on the road but something tells me that the NB doesnt like change...

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by noR

I use a $7 bulb from advanced autoparts. Recommend you try them.

After a decade of ownership here's what I think the problem really is though:
There's some kinda drain on the system at random intervals. Some pump or some system 'powering up' which drains alot from the system. I'd get these "brown outs" where the headlights would dim and then come back up to full power.

I think the silverstars are built to expect a constant voltage; but when that spike hits, it doesn't really handle it super well.

Maybe you know enough electrical voodoo to add an in-line capaciter; I think that would "fix the headlights" ... but I still think the larger issue is elsewhere. And I've never seen it solved 100%.

It's funny you say that, Ron. I've noticed that when I first push on the window switch my headlights dim a bit. I wonder if that's the drain that causes the SS's to die?

Also, it seems to help if I run my fogs on all the time. I know it's probably not the best thing to do for other drivers, but it's become second nature to turn clockwise and pull when I turn on the headlights.

[Deserion]

I had Silverstars in the '05 and the '03. Both cars blew them within 6 months (in one case, both headlights on the '05 went within a week of each other).

Went back to OEM-equipped bulbs and have been fine since.

[shellbug]

my low beams are not working tonight,seems strange they both went out at the same time, is this common?

[shellbug]

Originally Posted by FarrisK

It's funny you say that, Ron. I've noticed that when I first push on the window switch my headlights dim a bit. I wonder if that's the drain that causes the SS's to die?

Also, it seems to help if I run my fogs on all the time. I know it's probably not the best thing to do for other drivers, but it's become second nature to turn clockwise and pull when I turn on the headlights.

I noticed my headlights dimmed when I would use the all windows up button.

[shellbug]

Is changing the bulb something I could actually do?

[buckod]

Originally Posted by shellbug

my low beams are not working tonight,seems strange they both went out at the same time, is this common?

When i had my Silver Stars, that happened to me within 24 hours... that makes me believe that it is NOT the bulb but some sort of currency issue. Since i put my ULTRAS in in April i haven't had an issue.

I dont know if they are common... its not hard to swap out the bulbs on my year,2008. just have to know how it works.

[Beetlecup]

Originally Posted by shellbug

I noticed my headlights dimmed when I would use the all windows up button.

Yes that is normal. The fix is to ground the battery better–Running a wire from the battery to the sub frame will do the trick.

Just don't get zapped!

[Judee]

I installed HIDs... no more burnt bulbs.

I figured by the time I changed the bulbs twice, it would have cost the same if I bought an HID kit.

I think the DRLs contribute to the "shortened" bulb life as well. Bulbs are designed to burn for X number of hours. Most cars use a different bulb for the DRLs, but our 2.5L Beetles use the same bulb for low beams and DRLs... so that X gets chewed up anytime we drive the car, including during daylight hours.

[eliteboi]

I replaced my bulbs a month ago with the Silver Star Ultras, let me just say, I will never... Repeat NEVER replace my headlight bulbs again, it took about 6 hours of prying and hearing plastic breaking to my headlights out!

That said, now my headlights don't really line up with the body anymore...

[Toad]

Well, I didn't opt for silverstars, but i got el-cheapo blue bulbs when i first got my bug, and they blew so fast it wasn't funny (not even a week or so). I put the regulars back in after the free replacements i got blew. I disabled the DRLs a little later. Then I bought some USED PIAA hyper white and yellow (low bean and high beam respectively) bulbs and they never blew. I was quite shocked about that, although the disabled DRLs probably helped a lot.

One of them even stood up after the accident.

[cep]

Originally Posted by Judee

I installed HIDs... no more burnt bulbs.

I figured by the time I changed the bulbs twice, it would have cost the same if I bought an HID kit.

I think the DRLs contribute to the "shortened" bulb life as well. Bulbs are designed to burn for X number of hours. Most cars use a different bulb for the DRLs, but our 2.5L Beetles use the same bulb for low beams and DRLs... so that X gets chewed up anytime we drive the car, including during daylight hours.

Turning bulbs on and off kills them, too. You can save yourself 1/2 the number of on/off cyles by starting the car with the parking brake set.