New low beam bulbs very dim/not very bright.

[DTK]

So recently one of my headlights burnt out and then shortly after the other one burnt out as well.

I went and bought new bulbs (Sylvania H7 XV XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb) and installed them. They work/turn on and all but they are not bright. At all. The OEM ones were much brighter yet these ones are supposed to be the brighter ones.

Its as if the headlights are fogged or what not but that is not the case. Ive tried google and asked around but no one really has an idea.

One person said it may be the inverter(?) or a battery related issue... im personally not sure.

Anyone have any ideas?

This is a 2007 hatchback.

[Noisy Crow]

A few suggestions: Double check the connectors. Have someone turn the lights on and off while you look at them.... might be stuck in DRL mode. If you have a multimeter use it to check the voltage at the connector when the lights are turned on.

[Johns 08 3 GT]

Are they seated in the housing properly? Is there a clean connection with the terminals?

[Flagrum_3]

Get different bulbs...

[Default User]

Get different bulbs...

+1

Those bulbs suck for light output. In fact - 99% of tinted aftermarket bulbs suck.

[sp3GT]

+1

Those bulbs suck for light output. In fact - 99% of tinted aftermarket bulbs suck.

This is very true, the common misconception is that tinted aftermarket bulbs produce more light. That is false unless the bulb draws more power, (55W vs 100W). But at 100W you'll likely melt your wire. I'd say tinted aftermarket bulbs are best for something like DRL.

[TheMAN]

xrtavisions do not have tinting in them... know what it is before saying bad things about a product, ok?

[DTK]

Get different bulbs...


+1

Those bulbs suck for light output. In fact - 99% of tinted aftermarket bulbs suck.


This is very true, the common misconception is that tinted aftermarket bulbs produce more light. That is false unless the bulb draws more power, (55W vs 100W). But at 100W you'll likely melt your wire. I'd say tinted aftermarket bulbs are best for something like DRL.


xrtavisions do not have tinting in them... know what it is before saying bad things about a product, ok?


As TheMAN pointed out, i dont believe these are tinted.

Theyre sitting in properly too otherwise i would not be able to plug them in since they would be dangling or perhaps the rubber would be in the way.

I read some reviews and i dont think it is the bulbs because apparently theyre fairly bright.


A few suggestions: Double check the connectors. Have someone turn the lights on and off while you look at them.... might be stuck in DRL mode. If you have a multimeter use it to check the voltage at the connector when the lights are turned on.

Mind elaborating on them being stuck in DRL mode... is that possible since the high beam bulbs are also the DRL and not the low beams?

Thanks

[Flagrum_3]

As TheMAN pointed out, i dont believe these are tinted.

Theyre sitting in properly too otherwise i would not be able to plug them in since they would be dangling or perhaps the rubber would be in the way.

I read some reviews and i dont think it is the bulbs because apparently theyre fairly bright.



Mind elaborating on them being stuck in DRL mode... is that possible since the high beam bulbs are also the DRL and not the low beams?

Thanks

I didn't say anything about being 'tinted', and was not my point,

Hint; What's the first rule in troubleshooting.


_3

[liquidzyklon]

As TheMAN pointed out, i dont believe these are tinted.

Theyre sitting in properly too otherwise i would not be able to plug them in since they would be dangling or perhaps the rubber would be in the way.

I read some reviews and i dont think it is the bulbs because apparently theyre fairly bright.



Mind elaborating on them being stuck in DRL mode... is that possible since the high beam bulbs are also the DRL and not the low beams?

Thanks
You may think you installed the bulb correctly but it may not be lined up for the bulb's tab in between the the slots. This slight different in rotational angle would mean that the bulb may be facing the wrong way. This affects HID bulbs more since they have a return wire, but for halogen bulbs sometimes one half of the bulb is painted/coated to aim the light more in one direction.

Please double check that by unplugging the harness and trying to rotate the bulb. It should be snug and should not move. Better yet, use a mirror and you can clearly see if you installed in correctly.

[DTK]

You may think you installed the bulb correctly but it may not be lined up for the bulb's tab in between the the slots. This slight different in rotational angle would mean that the bulb may be facing the wrong way. This affects HID bulbs more since they have a return wire, but for halogen bulbs sometimes one half of the bulb is painted/coated to aim the light more in one direction.

Please double check that by unplugging the harness and trying to rotate the bulb. It should be snug and should not move. Better yet, use a mirror and you can clearly see if you installed in correctly.


You make a valid point. I was wondering if i may have installed it upside down or something of the sort. Once it gets a bit warmer and stops raining/snowing ill be sure to check that out.

Thanks for your input.

[nepal1344]

you also might have corrosion in the plastic adapter that goes between the bulb and harness. They seem to corrode in there quite a bit and can cause voltage issues to the bulb.

[jaimie08mazda3]

You may think you installed the bulb correctly but it may not be lined up for the bulb's tab in between the the slots. This slight different in rotational angle would mean that the bulb may be facing the wrong way. This affects HID bulbs more since they have a return wire, but for halogen bulbs sometimes one half of the bulb is painted/coated to aim the light more in one direction.

Please double check that by unplugging the harness and trying to rotate the bulb. It should be snug and should not move. Better yet, use a mirror and you can clearly see if you installed in correctly.

This! The problem with installing the headlights is your not sure if they sit straight or if they are crooked. If they are crooked then they will lean more to the right or left depending. Make sure you have it set right straight and the metal connector piece is in place and firm. Turn on the low beams and look at them on a flat surface into a garage door or something to see if they are straight. Also if you touch the bulb itself it can affect the bulbs projection. Just my 02.

[TheMAN]

the bulbs also must seat all the way inside and cannot rotate either way without the clip on... you can actually still clip the bulb on (with force) while the bulb is rotated out of place.... when the bulb is rotated out of alignment the light output will be all messed up!