2002 Sonata Headlight Bulb Problem

Discussion in 'Hyundai Sonata' started by arobertson, Apr 21, 2008.

  1. arobertson

    arobertson Guest

    We have a 2002 Sonata as a taxi and we’re having a problem with having
    to change the low beam bulbs every 2 to 3 weeks. First of all how long
    should these bulbs last? The car is on the road from 3pm to 3am so
    we’re using the headlights quite a bit more than most people would.
    It’s not just the left or the right side either it’s both. We’ve tried
    Sylvania and it’s getting too expensive at $40 a bulb. We had to
    change it again tonight and replaced it with a GE brand H7 bulb which
    was half the price. Any suggestions?
     
    arobertson, Apr 21, 2008
    #1
  2. arobertson

    Zotto Guest

    Remember when replacing bulbs to avoid to touch them with bare hands, and
    switch on the lights at engine on and switch them off before engine off.
    Another suggestion is to read with a digital voltmeter if you have the
    right tension on battery, it should never exceed 14,5 V.
     
    Zotto, Apr 21, 2008
    #2
  3. arobertson

    Dan K Guest

    On going problem with the H7 bulb. I have two XG350's and they both do it.
    Seems like the bulbs are good for a month or so, but then every few months
    we seem to run into a pair that last a longer, like 3-6 months. Doesn't
    seem to be brand dependent. I have just finished installing a single 10 amp
    diodes in each of the low beam head light circuits. This has resulted in
    the following: Voltage at battery : 14.2v. Voltage at headlight (before
    diode installed) : 13.5v. Voltage at headlight (after diode installed) :
    12.7v. My car has run with the diodes installed for about a month now and I
    just installed the diodes on my wife's car yesterday. I should know in
    another 6 months or so if they do any good, and sooner if they doesn't work.
    The idea is to get the voltage at the headlight closer to 12v. The reduced
    voltage, by the way, produces a slightly dimmer headlight that you can see
    this if you switch the diode in and out of circuit, but I have not been able
    to tell the difference while driving when I have nothing to compare against.
    I did not tell the wife that the diodes went in yesterday and I'm betting
    she won't notice (she is pretty observant too).

    Dan
     
    Dan K, Apr 21, 2008
    #3
  4. arobertson

    Mike Marlow Guest

    Hey Dan - this continues to be good information. I just want to repeat my
    earlier request that you keep the group informed as this develops over time.
    This is the really good kind of stuff that everyone can benefit from.
     
    Mike Marlow, Apr 22, 2008
    #4
  5. arobertson

    arobertson Guest

    Thought I’d let you guys know how the bulb problem is going so far.

    We talked to a Hyundai dealership and they thought it was because of
    people mishandling the bulbs when they get them in the stores and
    suggested we find the bulbs somewhere else. We bought bulbs at a
    small merchant store instead of Canadian Tire. Ended up getting the
    bulbs at half the price as well. Installed the bulb and it’s lasted
    now a month. Hasn’t burnt out yet. So it looks like our problem so
    far was that.

    Thanks
     
    arobertson, Apr 26, 2008
    #5
  6. arobertson

    Mike Marlow Guest

    Most of us here know enough not to handle halogen bulbs. We generally wipe
    them off thoroughly before installing them. Our failure rates are still
    alarmingly high. Not as high as you were seeing, so some of you experiences
    may be reflective of the quality of bulb you were getting, but still the H7
    is a problematic bulb when used in Hyundai's.
     
    Mike Marlow, Apr 27, 2008
    #6
  7. After experimenting with several brands of "high-performance" bulbs,
    I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing to be gained by
    spending the extra money on them. The longest any of the "extra white"
    type bulbs lasted was 8 months, with most lasting around 6. After
    reading Daniel Stern's light sight, I've gone back to standard bulbs, in
    this case Hella, as they're rated for twice the life of their Optilux
    bulbs, which are the ones that lasted 8 months. Hopefully they'll last
    at least a year, but even if they don't they're only $20/pair.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Apr 27, 2008
    #7
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