Headlights question... l'il help!?

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cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

Senior Member

7,536 posts
May 2, 2013 10:40 AM
My wife's van has gone through 5 bulbs in a matter of four months.

From what I can tell,

A) capitalist plot brought on by the Sulvania and Advance Auto Parts
B) just the way it goes sometimes
C) a wiring/fuse/relay problem
D) GFY (I only know this because of this site. Feel honored.)

While all of the above would probably work, I am honing in on "C".

I checked one bulb, it was good. The driver's side was burnt out though. However, the highbeam did not work on that side either and I'm just realizing that as I type this.

I checked the relays with the preferred method from eHow or some website like that. Relays are good. Fuses are also good.

So, with my best head-scratching font on, what in the world is going on with the lights on my wife's van!?!?!? Those daggone lights are way too expensive to be buying every 6 to 8 weeks.

Thanks in advance.
May 2, 2013 10:40am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
May 2, 2013 10:42 AM
Needs to be a poll.

I select option "D"
May 2, 2013 10:42am
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
May 2, 2013 10:43 AM
Have you checked car blogs? Probably your best bet.

I'd go C. Also - you're buying the right bulbs right?
May 2, 2013 10:43am
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

Senior Member

7,536 posts
May 2, 2013 10:45 AM
Raw Dawgin' it;1437291 wrote:Have you checked car blogs? Probably your best bet.

I'd go C. Also - you're buying the right bulbs right?
I will launch a new tab for car blogs, but I'd rather get it from trusted sources like you, and ETB. And from whatever the book tells me to buy, that's what I buy. So from what I can tell, it's the correct bulb. However, I will pay more attention next time.

Car blogs... got it.
May 2, 2013 10:45am
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
May 2, 2013 10:45 AM
Damn I thought this was a boobs thread.
May 2, 2013 10:45am
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

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May 2, 2013 10:47 AM
cruiser_96;1437293 wrote:I will launch a new tab for car blogs, but I'd rather get it from trusted sources like you, and ETB. And from whatever the book tells me to buy, that's what I buy. So from what I can tell, it's the correct bulb. However, I will pay more attention next time.

Car blogs... got it.
What kind of van is it? Honda, Toyota, Nissan....? Search for blogs specific to your brand.
May 2, 2013 10:47am
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

Senior Member

7,536 posts
May 2, 2013 10:49 AM
Honda, Odyssey, 2002(?) maybe 03.

I just read a few points about the alternator could be going bad if... and it listed headlights going out. Not to sound like Cliff Clavin but, "What's up with that!?!?!"
May 2, 2013 10:49am
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

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May 2, 2013 11:00 AM
cruiser_96;1437303 wrote:Honda, Odyssey, 2002(?) maybe 03.

I just read a few points about the alternator could be going bad if... and it listed headlights going out. Not to sound like Cliff Clavin but, "What's up with that!?!?!"
Yeah definitely look at honda blogs, they'll know for sure. You can get your alternator checked at Auto Zone i think. If not bring it to a trusted mechanic. I had to have mine switched and I saved some money by getting a refurbished one. Worked great and cost me $350 with parts and labor.
May 2, 2013 11:00am
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

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May 2, 2013 11:03 AM
Sweet! Thanks a million. Well, maybe like tree-fiddy, but still... AWESOME!
May 2, 2013 11:03am
Devils Advocate's avatar

Devils Advocate

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4,539 posts
May 2, 2013 12:17 PM
ernest_t_bass;1437288 wrote:I likes me some pole.

I loves me a big "D"
Ya don't say....
May 2, 2013 12:17pm
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

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7,536 posts
May 2, 2013 12:20 PM
Thx, said. I'll be checking the volts soon.

Thanks again.
May 2, 2013 12:20pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
May 2, 2013 12:23 PM
So the Honda's use a flat blade plug style system for their headlights, and IMO they are stupid prone to failure. You have to use a good amount of dielectric grease on the prongs when replacing the bulb, otherwise it burns out the connector. Just my experience from when I had a Civic that used the same bulb your Oddyssey does
May 2, 2013 12:23pm
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

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May 2, 2013 12:26 PM
cruiser_96;1437404 wrote:Thx, said. I'll be checking the volts soon.

Thanks again.
If volts come back OK, visually inspect the headlamp wires. See if frayed or sliced anywhere. Could be rubbing against something causing the bulbs to short out.

Or just consider driving during day time.
May 2, 2013 12:26pm
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

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May 2, 2013 12:37 PM
LJ: I saw someone reference a particular style or brand of grease. Would you think that would matter???
May 2, 2013 12:37pm
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

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7,536 posts
May 2, 2013 12:38 PM
said_aouita;1437409 wrote:...Or just consider driving during day time.
That joke did not go over very well with the Mrs. when I used it last night. Granted, we were parked at a gas station trying to figure things out, but lead balloon still.
May 2, 2013 12:38pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
May 2, 2013 12:39 PM
cruiser_96;1437417 wrote:LJ: I saw someone reference a particular style or brand of grease. Would you think that would matter???
It's been so long, I think I just bought the $.50 squeeze pack they have at the checkout at Autozone.
May 2, 2013 12:39pm
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

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8,651 posts
May 2, 2013 1:12 PM
LJ;1437407 wrote:So the Honda's use a flat blade plug style system for their headlights, and IMO they are stupid prone to failure. You have to use a good amount of dielectric grease on the prongs when replacing the bulb, otherwise it burns out the connector. Just my experience from when I had a Civic that used the same bulb your Oddyssey does
You regreased the connector when you changed the lights? I'm asking because I have never done that and I have had my civic for 10 years. I know I've replaced a couple of lights in the last few years but I didn't pay enough attention to know if it's a problem or just normal maintenance. Maybe I should be doing that with mine too. (I have a headlight out now that needs to be replaced)
May 2, 2013 1:12pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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16,351 posts
May 2, 2013 2:45 PM
FatHobbit;1437436 wrote:You regreased the connector when you changed the lights? I'm asking because I have never done that and I have had my civic for 10 years. I know I've replaced a couple of lights in the last few years but I didn't pay enough attention to know if it's a problem or just normal maintenance. Maybe I should be doing that with mine too. (I have a headlight out now that needs to be replaced)
I didn;t the first time I changed them and I fried the connectors. I guess it is an insulating grease and protects both ends from arcing, water, and heat.
May 2, 2013 2:45pm
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

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May 2, 2013 4:27 PM
cruiser_96;1437417 wrote:LJ: I saw someone reference a particular style or brand of grease. Would you think that would matter???
Dielectric grease
May 2, 2013 4:27pm
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

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7,536 posts
May 2, 2013 7:03 PM
said_aouita;1437555 wrote:Dielectric grease
That's the stuff!
May 2, 2013 7:03pm
TedSheckler's avatar

TedSheckler

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May 2, 2013 8:47 PM
Sounds like low blinker fluid.
May 2, 2013 8:47pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

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49,363 posts
May 2, 2013 8:57 PM
TedSheckler;1437604 wrote:Sounds like low blinker fluid.

Lol.....go to Auto Zone and find the dumbest looking worker and they'll help you look for it for a bit.
May 2, 2013 8:57pm
cruiser_96's avatar

cruiser_96

Senior Member

7,536 posts
May 2, 2013 8:58 PM
Muffler bearings anyone???
May 2, 2013 8:58pm