2002 Sonata Headlight Bulb Problem

We have a 2002 Sonata as a taxi and we’re having a problem with having
to change the low beam bulbs every 2 to 3 weeks. First of all how long
should these bulbs last? The car is on the road from 3pm to 3am so
we’re using the headlights quite a bit more than most people would.
It’s not just the left or the right side either it’s both. We’ve tried
Sylvania and it’s getting too expensive at $40 a bulb. We had to
change it again tonight and replaced it with a GE brand H7 bulb which
was half the price. Any suggestions?

 

Remember when replacing bulbs to avoid to touch them with bare hands, and
switch on the lights at engine on and switch them off before engine off.
Another suggestion is to read with a digital voltmeter if you have the
right tension on battery, it should never exceed 14,5 V.

 

On going problem with the H7 bulb. I have two XG350's and they both do it.
Seems like the bulbs are good for a month or so, but then every few months
we seem to run into a pair that last a longer, like 3-6 months. Doesn't
seem to be brand dependent. I have just finished installing a single 10 amp
diodes in each of the low beam head light circuits. This has resulted in
the following: Voltage at battery : 14.2v. Voltage at headlight (before
diode installed) : 13.5v. Voltage at headlight (after diode installed) :
12.7v. My car has run with the diodes installed for about a month now and I
just installed the diodes on my wife's car yesterday. I should know in
another 6 months or so if they do any good, and sooner if they doesn't work.
The idea is to get the voltage at the headlight closer to 12v. The reduced
voltage, by the way, produces a slightly dimmer headlight that you can see
this if you switch the diode in and out of circuit, but I have not been able
to tell the difference while driving when I have nothing to compare against.
I did not tell the wife that the diodes went in yesterday and I'm betting
she won't notice (she is pretty observant too).

Dan

 

Hey Dan - this continues to be good information. I just want to repeat my
earlier request that you keep the group informed as this develops over time.
This is the really good kind of stuff that everyone can benefit from.

 

Thought I’d let you guys know how the bulb problem is going so far.

We talked to a Hyundai dealership and they thought it was because of
people mishandling the bulbs when they get them in the stores and
suggested we find the bulbs somewhere else. We bought bulbs at a
small merchant store instead of Canadian Tire. Ended up getting the
bulbs at half the price as well. Installed the bulb and it’s lasted
now a month. Hasn’t burnt out yet. So it looks like our problem so
far was that.

Thanks

 

Most of us here know enough not to handle halogen bulbs. We generally wipe
them off thoroughly before installing them. Our failure rates are still
alarmingly high. Not as high as you were seeing, so some of you experiences
may be reflective of the quality of bulb you were getting, but still the H7
is a problematic bulb when used in Hyundai's.

 

After experimenting with several brands of "high-performance" bulbs,
I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing to be gained by
spending the extra money on them. The longest any of the "extra white"
type bulbs lasted was 8 months, with most lasting around 6. After
reading Daniel Stern's light sight, I've gone back to standard bulbs, in
this case Hella, as they're rated for twice the life of their Optilux
bulbs, which are the ones that lasted 8 months. Hopefully they'll last
at least a year, but even if they don't they're only $20/pair.