2008 F150 headlight (brights)

[jwmiller33]

I have a 2008 F150 king ranch edition that has had a burnt out bright headlight for a few months now. The other day I went to flip the brights and the other headlight (brights) was burnt out as well. I don't have a problem replacing a headlight every now and then, but with a 2008, I think something must be wrong for both of the brights to get burnt out in only 3 years. I tried to do a google search on the topic and came up with nothing. Is there anything I can check besides the fuses to try and find the culprit?

[LightningBG]

For the low cost of a headlight, I think I'd just put some new ones in and see how long they last.

If they are burning out in a month, then you might have a problem. 3 years. I wouldn't even think about searching out a cause.

[jwmiller33]

just for clarification, they are the high beams not the low beams. I just thought it was a little early for the high beams to get burned out seeing how little I use them compared to the low beams, and both of the low beams are fine. My low beams are extremely bright, so I rarely, if ever throw on the brights. Especially since I live in the metro, I am rarely on a road without someone in front of me or coming in the opposite direction, so I would say I almost only use the brights when I go out of town on fishing trips, which is like once a month

[pureinsanity]

If I got three years out of a headlight that would be amazing. Id say I go about a year to a year and a half and when I replace one I replace them both and keep the good one available in the glove box for a spare if on the road and need to change it.

if they lasted that long I would not worry! Specially if its a brighter than normal light.

[LightningBG]

Tell the wife to quit flashing people when she takes your truck.

[jwmiller33]

Tell the wife to quit flashing people when she takes your truck.

LOL nobody drives the truck but me

thats kind of funny because the way I found out both high beams were burnt out was when I went to flash somebody

[Jeremy airjer W]

I'm going to jinx myself but the last time I changed a headlight in one of my vehicles was 7-10 years ago. That was on my 95 Tacoma.

I did have to change a brake light on my '05 Tundra once!

[LightningBG]

I burn out lights like crazy. I have my truck set up to run quad beams on low (fogs and lows) and 6 lights when the brights are on (low/high/fog). Shhh, don't tell anyone.

[jwmiller33]

I'm going to jinx myself but the last time I changed a headlight in one of my vehicles was 7-10 years ago. That was on my 95 Tacoma.

I did have to change a brake light on my '05 Tundra once!

Airjer, what's your opinion on my situation? You were the one guy who I was most looking forward to reading the response of. I just don't think a light should burn out that fast when it is seldom used

[pureinsanity]

are the high beams separate bulbs or are they high low beams in one bulb

[jwmiller33]

i'm pretty sure they are seperate bulbs

[Jeremy airjer W]

There bulbs, they burn out.

If you replace them and they go out in a couple of months than there is a problem. If they last a couple of years I don't see a problem with that.

I just had a Volkswagen beetle in for 3 low beams within a couple of months. Always the passenger side. There was nothing I could find wrong. Connection clean and tight and the wiring was solid. It turned out to be a rash of bad bulbs.

[Scott K]

The low beams and high beams share a ground, so if it was a bad ground, it would effect the low beams as well. Stating the low beams are "bright" maybe you have a over charging issue with the alternator? Other then a bad ground, high voltage, or riding over bumping roads a lot, or a loose connection, its going to be normal, and I wouldnt worry about it.

The reason the high beams burn out first is the filament is made out of a finer wire, which is what causes the extra brightness.

[jwmiller33]

Thanks Scott, you made everything a lot more clear. I just didn't understand why the high beams would burn out before the low beams considering the difference in usage. It alllllll makes sence now. Thanks again

[Jeremy airjer W]

I though the high beams had the thicker wire to handle more amperage to make them shine brighter?

[Scott K]

The thinner wire creates more resistance, therefore heats up more, causing the brighter light. At least thats what I remember of basic electricity. I may be wrong though! I have been before, once

[Jeremy airjer W]

I've been wrong once before also. I'd hate to be the wrong twice before guy!!

[Scott K]

[Tator2k]

I upgraded my F150 with a Hi/Lo HID kit. Separate fused and relay leads from the battery, and matching HID foglights.

Very Nice....

[jwmiller33]

tator how much did that upgrade cost?

[efgh]

Check the voltage of the alt.while the high beam is on with the engine at high idle. It might be that the regulater is puting out too many volts.

[delcecchi]

Power=vsquared/r. So you make the wire thinner, resistance goes up, lower power. Make it really thin you end up with 1 watt headlites.

Unless of course you make it shorter as you make it thinner. then the power can stay the same and the wire gets hotter and brighter since the same power is burned in less length. And the thin wire evaporates and breaks sooner.

[LightningBG]

Some headlights are different wattage for the high vs low beam.

Example.

Sylvania 9005 Silverstar is a high beam, 1700 lumen, 65w

Sylvania 9006 Silverstar is a low beam, 1000 lumen, 55w

Sylvania 9007 Silverstar is a high/low beam, dual filament, 65w/55w

Sylvania H1 Silverstar is a either beam, single filament, 1410 lumen, 65w

I'm not really sure about the length of the filament or the thickness.

Beam shape also has a lot to do with how bright a light "looks".

[Macgyver55]

The thinner wire creates more resistance, therefore heats up more, causing the brighter light. At least thats what I remember of basic electricity. I may be wrong though! I have been before, once

I hate to say it but I think this makes two.

But who's counting?

[delcecchi]

In your listing it is very interesting the difference in lumens/watt. One bulb is 1700/65 (26.15 lumens per watt) and another is 1000/55=18.18 lumens per watt. I bet the 26 lumens per watt guy doesn't live as long.