Headlights

[Stoic Guardian]

Ok, i know that there are plenty of different headlight threads, all kinds of information about bulbs and housings and the like. i have been having some problems with mine burning out way faster than i think that they should. i had a 94 ranger and used the same brand of bulbs for years with out them burning out, but in my subaru i have gone through them alot faster. Before somone blames the always on running lights i always ran my ranger with them on.

since one of them has burned out that housing has filled with quite a bit of condensation. could that be the reason i am having problems?

[rasterman]

Look for electrical problems, particularly voltage regulation. Another possibility is a mechanical issue- vibration. Pinholes or cracks in the lens can allow for too much cooling, which can knock out the bulb with thermal shock.

I'm surprised by the number of headlight replacement posts I see on this board. I have changed 3 headlights in 3 friends cars (none subies) in the past 10 years, and never needed to replace one of my own going back through 7 cars over almost 25 years.

[Stoic Guardian]

could there be a problem with the seal between the black and clear plastics? that's what the local subaru repair place thought.

[Euchre]

If a drop of that condensation hits a hot bulb, its all over for sure. You should never have visible moisture in your headlights, else there's a problem. Same really holds true for taillights... which is my problem.

[Stoic Guardian]

I think that i might be having that same problem. i took a trip through a good snow and rain storm recently, and when i arrived and opened the hatch to unpack, it was like the hatch was draining on the driver side. I need to figure that out too. The guy at that repair place mentioned the same thing for that, a bad seal between the black and transparent plastics.thoughts?

[Shadow 1100]

You think it's because we are slamming our hoods to hard?

[Stoic Guardian]

That's a definite possibility, hoods and hatches

[1 Lucky Texan]

dunno if it helps, but I had to have a taillight changed out under warranty on my 06 WRX wagon for collecting water. I THINK I've read of one or 2 other similar problems so, maybe there was an 'era' during which Subaru had some bad light assemblies?

[jp1203]

All I can tell you is it doesn't sound normal. I changed out both low and high beams when I bought my 2004 (they all went within days of eachother). In the 26,000 miles I had it after that, I never went through another bulb.

[Stoic Guardian]

Ok, now on to other questions, i have found the different posts about headlight bulbs and i am wondering if there is any use looking around for different brands for bulbs for my car or should i just get my self some narva +30's and call it good. Are there different Brands that make quality lights that are brighter than factory and don't burn out all the time? And has anyone ever tried led bulbs, it took forever but i found a manufacturer that makes low beam and high beam replacements