Headlight s keep burning out - Honda Pilot

madmak · 06-30-2011, 07:31 PM

My headlights have burnt out three times in the last two years. Not always on the same side. Does anyone know why this is happening?

Thanks for the help

RSQ Pilot · 06-30-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmak

My headlights have burnt out three times in the last two years. Not always on the same side. Does anyone know why this is happening?

Thanks for the help

What brand of headlight elements are you using, what year pilot

mclairmo · 06-30-2011, 09:18 PM

Same thing happens to my 05 Pilot. Those bulbs just suck.

rocky · 06-30-2011, 09:18 PM

FWIW, the original plain jane halogens in my Pilot lasted over 100k miles. The "fancy" silverstars barely made it five thousand on one side and the other blew out at 4am in the morning just before a 960mile drive.....

I use plain jane Halogens now.

megatron · 06-30-2011, 10:29 PM

When you replaced the lights, did you by chance by the brightest ones advertised on the packaging? The brighter ones are usually overdriven to get you that extra brightness, so they don't last as long. That's normal.

If you buy the plain jane, regular cheapo ones, they usually last longer. Kinda counterintuitive, but it's the truth.

Or you can just convert to HIDs and get the best of both worlds!

cali510 · 07-01-2011, 10:22 PM

Ive also had bad luck with them silverstars,but they do light my way better compared to the cheapies.

nazabe · 07-26-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky

FWIW, the original plain jane halogens in my Pilot lasted over 100k miles. The "fancy" silverstars barely made it five thousand on one side and the other blew out at 4am in the morning just before a 960mile drive.....

I use plain jane Halogens now.

What is the brand of this plain jane halogens light?

nazabe · 07-26-2011, 01:17 PM

Do you think the dielectric grease will help? When I replaced the first set of headlights last year, there was this light yellowish dielectric grease on the connector.

samc · 07-26-2011, 07:36 PM

Certainly that can help. But what kind of bulbs are you using? There could also me a moisture leak in your headlights.

@megatron. Dude is right. I've gotten about 3 years on my HID bulbs so far and they are still going. Granted one of my ballasts burned out a while back but that's another situation all together. Just a tip, don't get cheapo kits and get the 35w ones. I heard 55w kits burn out alot faster. (that is if you do a drop in kit ofcourse)

ptsmh73 · 07-27-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmak

My headlights have burnt out three times in the last two years. Not always on the same side. Does anyone know why this is happening?

Thanks for the help

Maybe this is too basic a question, but you don't touch the bulbs with your fingers when installing them, do you? You need to have gloves or use a cloth (like a handkerchief) so no body oils get on the bulb. If you touch them their life is noticably shortened.

jimfaster · 07-28-2011, 07:25 AM

Do not touch it with greasy fingers, right?

hkellogg · 07-28-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimfaster

Do not touch it with greasy fingers, right?

do not touch them at all

06-30-2011, 07:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
madmak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Headlight s keep burning out My headlights have burnt out three times in the last two years. Not always on the same side. Does anyone know why this is happening? Thanks for the help

06-30-2011, 09:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 413 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Same thing happens to my 05 Pilot. Those bulbs just suck. __________________ 2005 LX 4wd Surco Safari Roof Basket with 3.5 inch 55 Watt lights mounted to it OEM accessory roof bars OEM nerf bars OEM rear splash guards 2006 OEM 4wd emblem Blacked out front and rear bumper garnish OEM accessory rubber cargo mat Garmin GPS Full size spare on OEM alloy rim Aftermarket tinted windows OEM accessory fog light kit OEM accessory cargo cover Silver painted grill Body colored door/side moldings Acura stainless exhaust tips KYB GR2 struts/shocks Curt 13328 Hitch

06-30-2011, 09:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 7,175 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	FWIW, the original plain jane halogens in my Pilot lasted over 100k miles. The "fancy" silverstars barely made it five thousand on one side and the other blew out at 4am in the morning just before a 960mile drive..... I use plain jane Halogens now. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662

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06-30-2011, 10:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
megatron Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 142 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	When you replaced the lights, did you by chance by the brightest ones advertised on the packaging? The brighter ones are usually overdriven to get you that extra brightness, so they don't last as long. That's normal. If you buy the plain jane, regular cheapo ones, they usually last longer. Kinda counterintuitive, but it's the truth. Or you can just convert to HIDs and get the best of both worlds!

07-01-2011, 10:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
cali510 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: hayward,california Posts: 90 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ive also had bad luck with them silverstars,but they do light my way better compared to the cheapies.

07-26-2011, 01:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
nazabe Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Do you think the dielectric grease will help? When I replaced the first set of headlights last year, there was this light yellowish dielectric grease on the connector.

07-26-2011, 07:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
samc Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 657 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Certainly that can help. But what kind of bulbs are you using? There could also me a moisture leak in your headlights. @megatron. Dude is right. I've gotten about 3 years on my HID bulbs so far and they are still going. Granted one of my ballasts burned out a while back but that's another situation all together. Just a tip, don't get cheapo kits and get the 35w ones. I heard 55w kits burn out alot faster. (that is if you do a drop in kit ofcourse)

07-28-2011, 07:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
jimfaster Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: United kingdom Posts: 8 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Do not touch it with greasy fingers, right?

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