Headlights

Headlight problem with 05 CRV EX 4WD. Passengers headlight went out,
33k miles. Replaced both lights with Sylvania Silverstart H1 ST bulbs.
In two weeks one burned out. Replaced it, and a day later the other
burned out.
Not sure if the bulbs are not good for this vehicle or perhaps a
wiring problem with the CRV.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

Been using SilverStars for about two years. Had them in two Buicks and
two Chrysler Town & Country's. They do not seem to have much life in
any of the cars. Of the four cars, the only one that I THINK has not
blown one or two of the bulbs is the 2003 T&C but we've only had that
one for a little over one year.

When they work, they're great, when they blow it's real expensive to
replace. BTW, whether I touch them or not, the glass is cleaned with
alcohol before installation.

I don't know what bulb Honda uses in my 06 Accord EX but I suspect when
I need a replacement, I'll hit their parts department. Great lighting
on mine regardless of whether I'm using high or low beams. Anyone else
notice a significant improvement?

 

What's your voltage measure with the engine running and the lights on?
Maybe a bad Voltage regulator?

I've heard Silverstars have short lives,but not that short.

The other poster is right;you have to keep your skin from contacting the
glass bulb,the oils burn and cause a hot spot and early failure.

 

Daniel Stern is widely respected for his knowledge of lighting and has his
own lighting consultancy and supply house - see www.danielsternlighting.com
In the "tech" area of his website he addresses blue bulbs, including the
Sylvania Silverstar: "The Sylvania SilverStar bulbs have a very short
lifetime, because the filament is overdriven to get a legal amount of light
despite the blue glass." http://tinyurl.com/7ufz6
Mike

 

I'll agree wit the short lifespan on these Sylvania SilverStars as others
have mentioned.. Put them in my '05 Accord and about 6 months later one
blew out. Thought it was a fluke. A few months later, the 2nd one blew! I
like the whiter light and don't feel these are as blinding to other drivers
as some other lighting out there.

When it blows again I'll think of replacing both with the OEM or something
else. Anyone else have any luck with something similar to these Sylvanias?

-Dave

 

Just read the Daniel Stern link - excellent information! I'll leave these
in a little longer since they're fairly new - then back to the OEM. Just
need to wipe any oil from the fingers off before putting them back in..

-Dave

 

wiping alone is not going to do it;you need to use alcohol or some other
solvent (on the bulb envelope)to remove the skin oils.

 

Even that may not help. I've had bulbs explode on me even after
painstaking efforts at cleaning.

The safest thing is to make 100% certain the glass NEVER touches
ANYTHING EVER once it's removed from the package.

And in the OP's case I'd have the voltage checked. Are any of the other
exterior bulbs burned out? It's commo for the newer alternators to fail
into overvoltage, and cook the bulbs.

 

Right. I was actually going to wipe them with glass cleaner. I can change
the bulbs pretty quick now but it's still a PITA in these newer Accords.
-Dave