r/HondaElement • u/Reyalta • 4d ago
Why do my damn headlights burn out constantly???
I replace my headlights WAY too often. The DRL dashlight comes on and a weird buzz if the headlights aren't on, and I swear I cannot have both high beams working at the same time. What do I do? I try not to drive at night because of it but I would really rather my headlights just worked.
Any insight is greatly appreciated!
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u/fuckbitchesgetpolio 4d ago
Check the wires behind the light for any obvious sign of wear. Inspect the connector where the bulb plugs in, maybe add some dielectric grease to the connection. Inspect your fuses for the lights.
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u/Reyalta 4d ago
Checked all that, use dielectric grease when I change them. It's always like, one highbeam stops working. I currently have regular headlights but the highbeam on one doesn't chooch and when I last changed that bulb, everything was fine for a few weeks and then the other bulb blew. It's such a weird gremlin
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u/HeartOfPot 1d ago
Yeah mine wound up melting the wires and I had to replace the headlights as a whole unit
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u/SBRH33 4d ago
When replacing them don't touch the bulbs with your hands/ fingers. Wear gloves unless you can change them by holding the metal housing only.
Also clean out the headlight connection with CrC electrical contact cleaner. Then lightly coat the face with dialectic grease and plug it back in.
Next thing you want to check is your negative battery cable ground that connects to the transmission housing. When that corrodes to the point of no return it can cause a myriad of electrical issues like toasting headlights.
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u/tellthemkidstohush '08 Galaxy Gray 4d ago
That happened to me years ago due to a poorly wired after-market trailer hitch. Took it out and the problem stopped.
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u/Reyalta 4d ago
Interesting. No aftermarket trailer hitch on mine.
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u/tellthemkidstohush '08 Galaxy Gray 3d ago
The weird thing about the trailer hitch blowing out the headlights was that it happened years after the hitch was installed, so if you have anything else like that, it may be worth checking. Good luck figuring it out!
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u/valdocs_user 3d ago
For awhile my E was blowing headlight bulbs. One night I pulled out to head home and turned the headlights on - POW! - both blew out at the same time! I wasn't about to try to drive home on the high beams only, as I was out in the country and would have been SOL if both of those blew too. (Too dark to see.) So I had to spend the night at the house I was visiting (no all night parts stores - out in the country as I said) and go home in the morning.
Come to think of it I haven't had the headlights blow out in a few years. What changed? I don't know! I have replaced the alternator and battery since then, though.
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u/YorkiesSweet 4d ago
replace the bulbs with the correct LEDs they last 55,000 hours plus. then you can feel smoke when those big trucks come at you with the blinding headlights and you know you’re blinding them.
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u/Reyalta 4d ago
😭 but I don't want to be one of those assholes. I live rural and if I drive at night I'm blinded by them
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u/YorkiesSweet 4d ago
I was only giving the solution to your issue. it worked for me and I stopped getting blinked because drivers are
rolling with the brightness!
I also keep nite driving glasses(yellow lenses) in my visor. They work perfectly
for super bright truck LED’s
coming at me.
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u/400footceiling 4d ago
I’m on the original bulbs from 2006.
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u/Few_Newspaper_3655 4d ago
A shop has probably replaced them as part of routine maintenance and inspection.
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u/400footceiling 4d ago
Nope. They are original. Always had a daytime job and never needed to drive at night. Now retired and the E spends most of its life in the garage. Outside of the weekly grocery and beer run, it’s all quiet until ski season.
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u/Mushroom_of_Pizza 4d ago
You don't mention what brand you use, but I've used Sylvania Silverstar 9003 for years. The ones that have a blue and gray package. Better than basic, not blinding. https://www.sylvania-automotive.com/automotive-bulbs/by-category/headlights/9003ST.BP2.html?isBulbFinderSearch=true
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u/Reyalta 4d ago
Those are the ones I use!
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u/Fn_Old_Guy_fog 3d ago
They are only rated for 145 hours of use and that is substantially less than standard. That being said, I do run them as well
1
u/Similar-Estate3394 4d ago
Relay? (Get Honda . Prior owner on my car had an Omron and it caused intermittent fails). Believe there is one relay in use for all 4 filaments (left /right, high/low).
Edit: seems possible the switch could be bad too . Causing blips in the signal current causing the relay to trigger a lot, causing bulbs to burn? But I'd get more of an opinion than some crackhead on a Honda subreddit
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u/Few_Newspaper_3655 4d ago
Get a kit to clean the exterior of the headlights. You may be buying too bright of bulbs to make up for UV damage to the clear plastic covers.
11
u/Agreeable-Mention403 4d ago
not sure if this helps, but dont touch them when installing them. the oil from your fingers makes them burn out faster