Stupid Headlights!!!!!

[EliteElantra02]

K, so both of my eurolite xenons blew out, went and got AWESOME replacements...anyway, this is the second time I've replaced my headlights stock--> eurolite---> new ones....yeah so Hyundai's friggin engineers are MORONS!...hmmm...let's put one opening next to the dipstick, and the other a 1/2 inch away from the battery...lol, I swear never before have I seen a car with bulbs so difficult to replace....needless to say one is perfect, but the other is aimed slightly upward due to the fact that my knuckle is now raw from scrapping against th battery...UGH!

[mrhoaf]

AMEN BROTHER!

at least you can pull the battery... the windshield washer filler isn't going anywhere, dammit!

it doesn't help when you have big hands either....

I've had to replace my headlights a few times already..... the last ones lasted about a year...

[SystemX]

Ive replaced my headlights every three months or so since Ive got my XD. The dealership claimed it was a Hyundai trait. What B.S.
Later,
X

[BlackElantraGT]

I've also had to replace my headlights about once every 2-3 months. I've become a pro at it, but yeah the left headlight is a ***** because you have to remove the battery in order to put the lights in. Despite that setback, it is still much easier to change the bulbs on an XD than a lot of other cars.

Plus, if you think the headlights are a pain in the ***, you should try changing the fog/driving lights, especially the KDM ones.

[Leviathant]

Take out the headlight assemblies, it's ten thousand times easier, trust me!!! I can not stress this enough!

That being said, while I was putting headlights in all the damn time for the first two years I had the car, the set I've had (got em from the dealer for a change) has lasted me pretty well now. Which means they're going to blow out tonight, of course ;)

[vsolo]

You do realize that by taking out 3 bolts the whole headlight assy come right out, & replacing the bulbs becomes a piece of cake. I put either wd 40 or anti seize on the bolts to make it easy for next next time. Humm there should be a DYI around some where. also by not having you lights on at start up seems to make them last longer

[BlackElantraGT]

By taking out the whole headlight assembly, aren't you also messing up the aiming of your headlights?

[Leviathant]

No, don't worry about aiming, the headlights fit very snugly into place. You're more likely to screw up the aiming by trying to squeeze you hand behind the coolant thingie than if you have the whole thing out.

Try it once, you'll never go back. And your headlights will last longer.


(Okay, maybe they won't last longer, but who knows)

[th003g]

i've had my car since sept 01 and have yet to change my lights... but I only have 18700 on my car....doesnt touching the bulb increase the chance of it burning out?

[SuperGLS]

I agree, taking the headlight out is the best bet. Even if you happen to mess up the aiming of the lights you can fix that easily (check the owners manual).

The tip by vsolo I also reccomend. Don't turn on the lights before you start the car.

And, Tom is right, touching the bulbs too much can cause problems.

Oh, and, use stock bulbs - they last longer. I've had my original set in since May 2002 when I bought the car with no problems (I even switched to the KDM headlights).

[mrhoaf]

interesting.... 'cause I thought it was a PITA to get the headlight assembly out. I had trouble getting it out... and enough trouble putting it back that I wondered IF I was going to get it back in....

and now that I've "modded" my front bumper (using the rear-end the Caprice Classic who stopped short on me" method..... it will probably be even harder....

[CornbreadXD]

its only three bolts, I take my headlights out when I wash the car to clean around the assembly its easy takes like 2 minutes.

[EliteElantra02]

Hmmmmm...points well taken, thanks guys

[archywills]

So, I should not leave the lights on all the time? Is leaving the lights on not a good thing? I thought that was a cool feature of the car (although a 10/15 second time delay so I can get into the house woulda been awesome).

[SuperGLS]

Definately not. The feature is there so if you forget your battery won't die.

[southpawboston]

There is this grease that people can get for connectivity that can be placed on the contacts of the lamp connectors

or go HID ;)

the grease is called di-electric grease. you can get it at most auto parts stores. definitely recommend it, although it won't increase the life of your bulbs.

and more importantly, this is why i don't buy expensive-*** bulbs. what's the point, if you're always going to worry about when they're going to blow again. why not just stick with the stock bulbs? at least they're FREE if they blow. that's right. just bring it in to the dealer, the headlights and fogs are WARRANTY items (all other bulbs are NOT however). that's why i don't bother with expensive replacement bulbs. not worth the hassle, or the money, IMHO.

[2GTS]

I've got 37K on my XD and it's almost 3 years old and I stil have the original stock bulbs.

[southpawboston]

I've got 37K on my XD and it's almost 3 years old and I stil have the original stock bulbs.

you're very lucky then. most XDers go through bulbs like water. my GT has 26k and has had 4 low beam bulbs and three fog bulbs replaced already (at no charge to me... gotta love that warranty).

[RonnieSan]

Both my headlights blew one day at the same time. My dealer replaced them for free. Luckily it was in the morning and I didn't need to use my headlights. They have been fine ever since.

Also, you might want to try taking out the headlight housings to install the new ones. A lot easier than reaching back there or taking off the whole front end.

[Keyan]

I had stock bulbs on my lantra until the crash. 70,300 miles. The left bulb died one month before.

And you guys don't have to worry about vertical aiming. There are 2 screw-like things on the back on the headlight. They control the aiming by how much you twist them

[SPARTANELANTRA]

heres a piece of advice... dont touch ne thing on the bulb that is glass.
i know not to do this because i work in the theater group in my community as a lighjting crew member... a.k.a. lighting monkey. and when you touch one of those halogen bulbs about 3 minutes after you turn the light on if you touched the glass they have a tendency to explode spectacularly(its rather fun really) but i wouldnt ***** guys these bulbs cost lijke 30 or 40 bucks a piece.

[dragonfighter60]

Edit: im an idiot and didnt notice that there was more than one page and i was replying to something on page one .

[dwnthehatch]

I just replaced one of my headlight bulbs in my 16 month old 03 gt with 32k miles on it. The next day the opposite fog light blew.I traded the car in for a 05 GLS hatchback two days ago . I think it has something to do with moisture getting inside of the headlight housings. I had the dealer replace both of my housings 3 times because they would fog up when there was a fast temperature change. I just noticed today that my 1 day old gls' headlight was fogging up.

[vsolo]

sooo you traded your car in because the head light blew :confused:

[2loud2k2xd]

i 'went' thru bulbs once a month, and i am a pro at changing them. i have system in car that caused voltage spikes wich caused my h/l to blow all the time. deffinately remove h/l assembly, this is the easiest way. if you have a system and this may be the cause, reground entire car, and use a 2/3 farad cap to stabilize voltage. since i put new system in car, 9 months with no blown bulbs. by the way, i now use the cheap 4.99 100 watt h7 bulbs bought off of ebay. no problems. caution, if you step up to a higher watt bulb, u must upgrade wiring harness.
also, like stated above, turn lights off before turning car off. this helps!!

[Robert1955]

Definately not. The feature is there so if you forget your battery won't die.

As SuperGLS has said the headlight off with the ignition off is to protect the battery. My stock low beams lasted about 1 1/2 years then I forgot to turn off the lights one night and sure enough within 2 weeks they blew 4 days appart. I have also found removing the 3 10mm bolts, and disconnecting the 2 light connectors takes less than 5 mins to change the bulbs. Got my new XD5's on the way so I get to pull both of them this weekend. ;)

[vsolo]

Isn't that 3 bolt 2 connector thing sweet...:D I put anti seize or a little WD 40 on them for next time ;)

[dwnthehatch]

sooo you traded your car in because the head light blew :confused:

No, I traded in my GT to get rid of the leather and to get a sunroof.

[Tricked]

........or go HID ;)
True dat!