View Full Version : Foglight bulb woes
CQ7String 01-27-2004, 06:40 PM This isn't really "performance lighting", so I didn't post it in there. My apologies if it's considered such.
Anyhow - my driver's side foglight eats bulbs. A brand new bulb lasts about 4 days, then *poof*, history.
Ground is good, voltage is normal. I leave them on all the time (well, on when I have my headlights on) but I only do about 2-3 hours of dark/night driving a day.
Has anyone experienced this? Bad housing, somehow? Doesn't seem like a wiring issue, but I can't see it being anything else. :\
jimbo74 01-27-2004, 06:46 PM moms right side is like this as well
her housing somewhere has a hole or leak in it... when i have replaced it before, all i found was shattered glass and some mud... i have replaced her r side like 5 times, never done the left, and the left is still fine..... its her housing thats bad.....
EBInterceptor 01-27-2004, 07:02 PM I finally did the foglight swap to aftermarkets after I blew too many bulbs. After only 2 I figured it was time for them to go. Two isn't many to have to replace, but I just knew they wouldn't last.
98 XLT 4x4 01-27-2004, 07:05 PM Mine does this too. Im would like to just fix the problem now because i am going to do the swap to a 99/00 front bumper so i wont have the same headlights.
XLT
EBInterceptor 01-27-2004, 07:32 PM The '98s and older have the rectangular fog lights. If you're going to be putting on a '99/'00 bumper you're going to have the round opening and you'll be switching the lights out anyways. You're better off waiting until you do the bumper switch to get the fogs fixed.
CQ7String 01-28-2004, 11:43 AM I don't plan on doing a bumper swap, I like it the way it is.
I'd replace them with aftermarkets, but are there any issues with grounding/relays/etc using the stock switch?
Oh.. And if someone could recommend aftermarkets that fit in there well, mucho appreciated.
EBInterceptor 01-28-2004, 12:34 PM Sorry, I got thrown off by the other post in there which I took for yours.
I wired mine up to a '98 Sport. I've never done any wiring before and it's freezing out, so I eventually gave up on running a relay. The run independently of everything else. I think my problem was that I didn't have a good ground so they would light up, but I'll get that all fixed once it warms up some.
I got some Pilot Amber Fogs. Look pretty cool and I'm going to eventually move them into the stock holes but for now they are right more in the middle on the airdam. There were some APC ones from Napa that would have worked good and came with a relay and the works, but didn't have the cash at the time.
On the useful links page there is a thread with tons of information relating to hooking up fogs and relays and everything.
MONMIX 01-28-2004, 10:24 PM Well, remember this if you touch the bulb wile putting it in you will blow it up in no time.
Next time you put in a bulb, wipe it down with a tissue and make 100% sure you do not touch the glass part of the bulb.
Look to see if there is any condesation in the lenz body.
If there is resealing it will be in order.
CQ7String 01-29-2004, 04:05 PM Originally posted by MONMIX
Well, remember this if you touch the bulb wile putting it in you will blow it up in no time.
Next time you put in a bulb, wipe it down with a tissue and make 100% sure you do not touch the glass part of the bulb.
Look to see if there is any condesation in the lenz body.
If there is resealing it will be in order.
I'm well aware of that, I'm kind of a retired ricer. :D (well, I drove a modded import, but it wasn't a Honda!)
I changed the bulb again - the housing is clean, and it seems (from a quick peek anyways) like it's sealed. *poof* smoked in 2 days, total of less than 10 hours of use.
/puzzle
I'd love to see pics of some suggestions for aftermarkets that still look stock, if anyone has 'em.
MONMIX 01-29-2004, 09:33 PM Hmmmm that is a stumper then.
EBInterceptor 01-29-2004, 11:25 PM A lot of people have had the problem with the stock fogs. Rusted plugs, cracked/leaky housing, I've even heard of bad grounds. The best thing to do is to replace them because it will be much cheaper if things do not go right. I could ask to borrow my friends camera and take some pictures, but there are many on this site already. Start looking at people's photo galleries and there are quite a few out there.
Rodeo Joe 01-30-2004, 07:15 AM I had the same problem with mine. I removed the lens from the housing, removed all the old sealant and resealed it. So far I have had no problems. I couldn't find any cracks in the housing but when I took it apart it was filled with water and broken glass. Might want to try that.
Joe
'96explorereddiebauer 01-30-2004, 09:06 AM I'm suggesting you to get some aftermarkets. I have a pair of Pilot amber fogs that throws out yellow beams. It's very nice, especially for $20. Granted, it's not as good as PIAA, but for the price, it pretty good!!
Did you say you want pic?? Here they are: :p
http://home.earthlink.net/~bchung4457/images/DSC02544.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~bchung4457/images/DSC02557.jpg
modette 01-30-2004, 10:43 AM Seeing as your switching the bumper why not just take the other bulb out. Your not suppose to drive with foglights on when there is NO fog...LOL Illegal and stupid to blind other drivers...I see fogs I use high beams till I pass the person...idiots.
'96explorereddiebauer 01-30-2004, 10:50 AM Let the flaming begin!! :p
EBInterceptor 01-30-2004, 12:20 PM Hey '96Ex, I also got the Pilot amber fogs, did you modify the mounting plate to put them in the stock holes or how did you do it?
jetmaker 01-30-2004, 01:19 PM Modette,
Fog lights, if located and aimed properly are not suppose to blind oncomming drivers as they are designed to illuminate close to the road surface. When I put aftermarkets on my Cherokee many years ago, you could get fog lights, or driving lights. Suspect that the people you are flashing are either driving with improperly aimed/mounted fogs, or are using driving lights instead (which are much brighter and tighter focus).
jetmaker
'96explorereddiebauer 01-30-2004, 03:44 PM Originally posted by EBInterceptor
Hey '96Ex, I also got the Pilot amber fogs, did you modify the mounting plate to put them in the stock holes or how did you do it?
I simply took the stock bracket and drilled holes to mount the Pilot brackets.
EBInterceptor 01-30-2004, 03:48 PM Did you redrill the brackets as well? The placement of the holes on my bracket were rather narrow, which the holes in the stock housing were too wide for the bracket. I recently go the idea since I was waiting that maybe I'd get a flat piece of metal and screw into it so it'll clamp down on the housing holding the bracket in. Or did you drill into the back side of the housing? Is that too deep?
MONMIX 01-30-2004, 09:52 PM Ak,
Looks like a scene from " Close Encounters Of The Third Kind "
'96explorereddiebauer 01-30-2004, 10:58 PM Originally posted by EBInterceptor
Did you redrill the brackets as well? The placement of the holes on my bracket were rather narrow, which the holes in the stock housing were too wide for the bracket. I recently go the idea since I was waiting that maybe I'd get a flat piece of metal and screw into it so it'll clamp down on the housing holding the bracket in. Or did you drill into the back side of the housing? Is that too deep?
Mike, I drilled the holes maybe a half an inch in front of the big hole. So...about an inch or two from the front, where the lip of the stock bracket is bolted onto the bumper. I also upgraded the crappy metal screws (which was for plastic bumper installation, I assuming) with nuts, washers, and bolts to keep the light tightly screwed. The end result, after installation, the lights should stick out of the rear edge of the bumper about half an inch, just right. I wish I have my camara with me but I don't.
modette 01-31-2004, 04:50 PM Ak LTD Xplorer,
good luck in chasing me down...LOL now that is funny, I'll just cuff & stuff them
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