Vimy101 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 ^ Seems like this headlight problem was corrected on the 06+ MYs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfxdave99 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 passenger side replaced at 17XXX miles. Dealer wouldn't replace the drivers side under warranty until it burns out. Give it a week. If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 I just replaced both headlights again. Seems to be a yearly thing for me. Both times they have burned out within 2 weeks of eachother.. lol So this is like the 5th or 6th thing I have had to fix now on my car. I think I have paid probably about $4000 now for repairs on my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz95 Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Both sides replaced. Passenger side at 23k, drivers side at 30. DRL disabled at 20k. This is getting annoying, but at least I'm not the only one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesuby Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 At 40,000 miles I've lost one and it was replaced at about 25k. That was before the fan relays recall, and I remember reading that modification was a cure for the bulb problem (even though I can't figure how the two are related). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfxdave99 Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Hang on.. you're saying that the fan relay recall is related to the bulb problem? Hmmmmm.. I haven't had one blow on me since I had the fan relay done.. I think... I have but had replaced the bulb a few months before i had the relay work done.. so now i have two fairly fresh post fan relay recall silverstars in there so while it doesnt make sense to me i'm crossing my fingers. Whats really sad is i just realized because i havent gone out o my way to have them replaced at the dealer i could have had a HID kit by now in bulb replacement costs. :spin: If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Hello, everyone. I work at a Subie dealership.....here goes, in 05 Legacies they had orange backings on the headlight bulbs, they blew very frequently, subaru covered them under warranty(3 yr/36k mi.), but replaced them with "long-life" blue backing bulbs, which we haven't had any return yet with the blue backs, although many people are showing up with aftermarket bulbs that blow more frequently like the orange backs. If you are still in 3/36 go to subaru, and if you have an orange back, they should change both to blue backs which will last alot longer. Up until a few days ago, I still had the original factory installed "orange back" bulbs (Philips H7, made in Germany)in my '05, with fully functioning DRL, but I am only at 17,500 miles. I just upgraded to the Osram Hyper and Toshiba HIR1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Since this only (seems to) affect '05's, anybody think Subaru upgraded the voltage regulators in later models - anybody try replacing the voltage regulator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingfisher Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 2005, each side replaced once. One at 26k, the other at 30k. Car is at 34k now. Tic toc tic toc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qikslvr Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 My 05' LGT used to burn out headlights about every 4 months, but hasn't popped one since the new ECU was installed as part of the fan relay recall. Let's kick this pig! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
first5.0 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 2 passenger low beams within 27,000 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Im trying a different theory. My '05 has gone thru 8 low beams. The latest one replaced today. The driver side bulb was replaced a few months ago and is still good. Thinking vibration could be a issue I "tweaked" the hold down spring to be very snug ( I seemed so so before) Its still working so the jury is still out. Today with the drivers side bulb I went to step #2 of my anti- vibration plan and installed a shock absorber system! Before installing the bulb I put a bead of silicon caulk on the mating surface where the bulb fits in to the reflector. If a poor design for vibration is the issue between the extra snug hold down spring and the silicone it should be much better. BTW having gotten sick of blowing SilverStars at $20 each this time I went with Philips Vision Plus bulbs at $10 each. Ill let you know if this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I hope it works. Digging the bulb out, "glued" in with silicon caulk won't be fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby2.5 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 2 low beam bulbs one each side in 54000. Seems high to me, I never replaced bulbs in other cars I have owned. 178000 on a jeep cherokee and not one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I hope it works. Digging the bulb out, "glued" in with silicon caulk won't be fun. Its not glued in. What I did was lay a bead of silicone on the flange of the bulb on the reflector side. I let this dry and then installed the bulb. Should be no harder to remove and having done this job eight times Im getting pretty good at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I hear ya, I've cut my replacement time down as well, not a skill I should be good at. Keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Since this only (seems to) affect '05's, anybody think Subaru upgraded the voltage regulators in later models - anybody try replacing the voltage regulator? Good point. If it only seems to affect '05's and the '06-'08 use the same H7 bulb and housing what is the cause? Is there any design change in the : bulb, housing , electricial system or what ever to account for this excessive blown bulbs blowing out? On top of this many '05 owners say they have no problems so its only SOME '05's with this problem. BTW as to the relay connection mine was found to be OK and I have the bulb thing. Anyone with tech info about any design differences by Subaru after '05 to account for bulbs being a non issue after '05? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 ^ Sadly, I don't think that there's a brand that'll last too, too long in our cars. The H7, according to many experts, including Stern, is one that's rather fragile and short-lived, and its pairing with a variable DRL system isn't one that's made in heaven. And I think that although that pairing contributes significantly to our problems, based on the number of vehicles that seems to be affected, even in our small and rather select on-line community, with this problem, more than likely, we've also got some kind of electrical-related issue that's more symptomatic on certain cars versus others, based on probably something as uncontrollable as production-line variances. franklin, I know you've had this problem for quite a while now - I can't remember, but have you tried to run without the DRL, to see if that helps things? Alternatively (and to perhaps even be paired with the elimination of the DRL), and my own knowledge is lacking in this area, have you tried any bulbs that are rated for a longer run-time than our factory replacements? Those are really the only two solutions I can think of that's realistic and easily do-able, outside of switching to HID. A) No I have not tried disabling the DRL. I may try this down the road . Others stated they did this and it may have helped some said it made no difference. Many cars have DRL and dont have this issue. B) As for long life bulbs. I had been using Silver Stars thinking they are "good" bulbs but as others stated if im gonna blow em right and left why by them. This last time I bought Philips Vision Plus. They were 2 for $20 vrs 2 for $35. At this point Im trying to change only 1 vairiable at a time to pin down cause and effect. Hopefully some one with design insight will enlighten us with a Subaru design change that was done. I think thats the key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 What's a replacement alternator cost? Probably $100 for the part. If, it is the voltage regulator and, this is integrated into the alternator - most are nowadays. I'm at the point where I'll get a payback on $100 in 2.5 years - assuming I can replace the thing myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Osram and Narva manufacture long life bulbs. e.g. http://store.candlepower.com/nalolih755wb.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Osram and Narva manufacture long life bulbs. e.g. http://store.candlepower.com/nalolih755wb.html Probably worth a try, these internet prices are not much higher than local retail at $20 / bulb. Yeah S&H will add a few. Anyone have a thought on using the 65 W bulb powered by Subaru's 55 W power? Seems like that bulb can handle power spikes better if, this is what the underlying issue is. For those of you in manufacturing environments, the ol' 6 sigma approach. But, probably loose some brightness / lumens running them underpowered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARUGUY05 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I have went through 5 headlights in the last year. they blow like crazy. The dealer says they wont cover it. I have an 05 legacy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I have went through 5 headlights in the last year. they blow like crazy. The dealer says they wont cover it. I have an 05 legacy! Join the club. The question is why dont the '06 ,'07 and 08's do this ??? How are they different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynekranzler Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Been reading this headlight bulb failure stuff for almost three years. My '05 that I bought new is now at 28.6K miles, DRL not disabled and I haven't replaced a headlight bulb yet. What would make the difference between similar vintage vehicles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvethesnow Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 i have an 05 lgt replaced bulbs once with slyvania silver stars only one bulb burned out also replace fog with same type bulbs. have 49000 miles and drl disabled History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid People sleep peacefully at night cause rough men stand ready to do violence on there behalf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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