Headlights repeatedly burning out? Post here!

[BarManBean]

you can get a good HID set up for about $100 on ebay..(dont get the cheep $60 and under ones) I would go with a 6000k or 8000k kit.

 

ebay seller of rice wares?

[BarManBean]

I'm using Osram Rallye bulbs from Candlepower. Installed them 12 months and 12k miles ago and they are fine. Definitely brighter than stock as well.

[Scooby2.5]

Get the 100 volt kit from the vendor on this forum. Ive had it for over 4 years with not an issue at all.

[Giixxer21]

My passenger bulb blew a few times within 10,000 miles. After the last change its lasted. No idea, maybe crap bulbs?

[jdhreiss]

My 2010 Legacy headlight(s)

 

Left Low beam 31,254 06/11 Dealer - warranty

 

Left Low beam 47,777 05/12 Replaced both with Phillips Nightguide

 

Left Low Beam 59,645 12/12 Replaced both with GE Platinum

 

Right Low Beam 65,224 03/13 Replaced w/NAPA standard

 

Left Low Beam 65,224 03/13 Replaced w/NAPA standard *

 

* The left low beam went out the next day

 

I keep the headlights on all the time. On 030813, I replaced the right bulb and both were working when I finished. The next morning I started the car and found the left bulb was out. I'm wondering if the left bulb went out during the engine starting. It's got me stumped. I'm changing to HID.

[kuryakin]

I went through a set of bulbs about once a year. Then I put these in:

http://store.candlepower.com/osraulhiouh7.html

 

They've been in for 5 years now, and still going strong. And brighter to boot!

[K STYLEZ]

Would never have believed this could have happened had it not happened to me first hand:

 

BOTH lows and BOTH fogs out all at the EXACT same time. Unreal. Highs still worked.

[twisted]

There must be a problem s I me place in the electrical system as many passenger side bulb keeps going out no matter what brand of bulb I use. Been wondering if others have had this repeated issue of bulbs going out on only one headlight?

 

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[LongHiway]

I have had decent results (not perfect) with the cheapest (& probably not brightest) bulbs possible. I definitely won't use Silverstars any more.

[ssbtech]

All my problems stopped with the Osram Rallye 65w bulbs.

[Max Capacity]

All my problems stopped with the Osram Rallye 65w bulbs.

 

 

Good to hear, that's why we recommend them.

[ssbtech]

I think I'm only on my second pair in 6 years. DRLs enabled.

[DevilHornz]

I just had my pass side go....I've only owned the car for 2.5 month's but I had an 04 WRX that had a constant problem and I put HID's in it and never had an issue after that and was thinking of doing it with the Legacy.....I am at work and couldn't read through al 43 pages and just figured I'd ask...Has anyone tried the sylvania zxe's?They are pricy and I get the feeling you are just paying for the blue tint...

[vr4]

Not mine but just had a customer last week 7 bulbs in 1 year. Left side is more common for her.

 

04 iirc.

[tantrum22]

I bought this car new in 2005 and have replaced the bulbs with different manufactures bulbs and none last more than a year.

what was the tsb subaru posted? I'd like a better solution than going to hids

[rollo]

I'm sure someone's suggested this in the past 640 posts, but my suspicion is that there was a bad batch of voltage regulators in the alternators, leading to high output under certain conditions. For sure, something isn't right (a recurring theme with the '05s it seems).

 

We've had the car since new and in addition to constantly blowing bulbs, it's been through several batteries, usually accompanied by acid leaks, tie-down corrosion and a general mess. Before I replace the battery AGAIN I'll be pulling the alternator and having it thoroughly tested and rebuilt as necessary by a local shop. Looking at the vacation pix I could probably do it myself, but I'd rather have a specialist look at it.

[bluesuby]

I keep telling you guys to start the car with the handbrake set. A surge during start-up does a number on the bulbs. Handbrake not set means DRLs are on.

[idendor]

About 4 years ago I started using handbrake religiously, our family fleet acquired two manual transmission Subies, so it became habit. The headlight burnout on my 05 Lgt Ltd 5EAT wagon has been reduced dramatically. I use cheap Wagner bulbs from Walmart.

 

158,000 miles, just upgraded to BNR 16G turbo. I had a retune on primarily stock setup, (SPT CAI, SPT cat back, Cobb APv2b), 278 wheel Hp (Dynojet) with 100 octane. Very much a pleasure for my 1hr commute.

[rollo]

I keep telling you guys to start the car with the handbrake set. A surge during start-up does a number on the bulbs. Handbrake not set means DRLs are on.

 

Good suggestion, but not relevant in my case. I always set the handbrake (years of habit) but I disabled the DRLs about a week after we got the car anyway.

 

Even so, a surge on startup wouldn't cause the leaking battery. So perhaps there are multiple causes for this issue (none of which are acceptable from a volume car maker btw).

[sknechtel]

i also have a standard so my hand brake is always on. i have an appt monday to replace the passenger low beam for the 3rd time since i got the car a little more then 2.5 years ago. i replaced the driver the 3rd time last month. they use to burn out 3 months apart but this time it was only 3 wks so i;ll probably do them both at the same time next round. been replacing ever 9-12 months with standard subaru bulbs at the dealership. do a lot of driving so averaging 29-30,000 miles per bulb. i think they are bing replaced way to often but maybe that is all a bulb lasts. when i googled the osrams i am interpreting the info there to only last 400 hours ?? is that right? as 30000 at ~50 mph ave would be 600 hrs i get out of these factory ones.

[waynekranzler]

I've subscribed to this tread for almost 8 years. I bought my '05 in June of that year & never have understood this headlight bulb problem. I replaced both of my bulbs (one had burned out) right before the warranty expired and haven't had either one burn out since...I suppose I'm due soon, but this is doesnt't seem that unusual...one bulb change in 8+ years.

[sknechtel]

my 03 didnt burn thru bulbs. replaced them only about 2x each in 216,000 miles and 8 yrs, but this 11 is frustrating because they go out yearly and one has to remove the tire to install the new ones so i am not going to go thru that hassle to do it myself. even my dealership dude was complaining because they cant change them in teh parking lot anymore, have to bring them in and put them on the racks which takes up more time.

[kuryakin]

OK, I had the same problem. I thought it was due to adding relays to boost the voltage a tad.

6 years ago, I replaced the stock H7s with the 65W H7s, which are basically an H9 bulb on an H7 base. Not only are they a lot brighter, but this summer, I replaced them for the first time in 6 years. We have a win/win, folks! And a lot cheaper and more suitable than these flaky HID conversions.Nice!

[NavigatorsLegacy]

During install are u touching bulb with Bare hands? Oil in hands ruins bulbs and shortens life of bulb.

 

 

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[sknechtel]

kuryakin - is a 65w h7s a certain brand or style or is it a different subaru factory bulb? where do you get this type of bulb?

 

navigatorslegacy - I actually asked the dealership service guys if they were touching my bulbs with bare hands and making them go out on purpose at the 2nd set of replacements on my 2011, so i'd have to buy more. They insist they are careful NOT to touch them bare handed. they also say it is the more recent model years that are using bulbs up, not the older models like 03, 05 etc where people indicate theirs lasted 6 or 8 years. cars with issues haven't been around that long.