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Headlights question... l'il help!?

  • cruiser_96
    My wife's van has gone through 5 bulbs in a matter of four months.

    From what I can tell,

    A) capitalist plot brought on by the Sulvania and Advance Auto Parts
    B) just the way it goes sometimes
    C) a wiring/fuse/relay problem
    D) GFY (I only know this because of this site. Feel honored.)

    While all of the above would probably work, I am honing in on "C".

    I checked one bulb, it was good. The driver's side was burnt out though. However, the highbeam did not work on that side either and I'm just realizing that as I type this.

    I checked the relays with the preferred method from eHow or some website like that. Relays are good. Fuses are also good.

    So, with my best head-scratching font on, what in the world is going on with the lights on my wife's van!?!?!? Those daggone lights are way too expensive to be buying every 6 to 8 weeks.

    Thanks in advance.
  • ernest_t_bass
    Needs to be a poll.

    I select option "D"
  • Raw Dawgin' it
    Have you checked car blogs? Probably your best bet.

    I'd go C. Also - you're buying the right bulbs right?
  • cruiser_96
    Raw Dawgin' it;1437291 wrote:Have you checked car blogs? Probably your best bet.

    I'd go C. Also - you're buying the right bulbs right?
    I will launch a new tab for car blogs, but I'd rather get it from trusted sources like you, and ETB. And from whatever the book tells me to buy, that's what I buy. So from what I can tell, it's the correct bulb. However, I will pay more attention next time.

    Car blogs... got it.
  • Tiernan
    Damn I thought this was a boobs thread.
  • Raw Dawgin' it
    cruiser_96;1437293 wrote:I will launch a new tab for car blogs, but I'd rather get it from trusted sources like you, and ETB. And from whatever the book tells me to buy, that's what I buy. So from what I can tell, it's the correct bulb. However, I will pay more attention next time.

    Car blogs... got it.
    What kind of van is it? Honda, Toyota, Nissan....? Search for blogs specific to your brand.
  • cruiser_96
    Honda, Odyssey, 2002(?) maybe 03.

    I just read a few points about the alternator could be going bad if... and it listed headlights going out. Not to sound like Cliff Clavin but, "What's up with that!?!?!"
  • Raw Dawgin' it
    cruiser_96;1437303 wrote:Honda, Odyssey, 2002(?) maybe 03.

    I just read a few points about the alternator could be going bad if... and it listed headlights going out. Not to sound like Cliff Clavin but, "What's up with that!?!?!"
    Yeah definitely look at honda blogs, they'll know for sure. You can get your alternator checked at Auto Zone i think. If not bring it to a trusted mechanic. I had to have mine switched and I saved some money by getting a refurbished one. Worked great and cost me $350 with parts and labor.
  • cruiser_96
    Sweet! Thanks a million. Well, maybe like tree-fiddy, but still... AWESOME!
  • said_aouita
    http://www.hondasuv.com/members/showthread.php?t=40928

    http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2207302

    http://www.fixya.com/tags/headlight_bulb_burning_out/cars/honda/odyssey/page-3
  • Devils Advocate
    ernest_t_bass;1437288 wrote:I likes me some pole.

    I loves me a big "D"
    Ya don't say....
  • cruiser_96
    Thx, said. I'll be checking the volts soon.

    Thanks again.
  • LJ
    So the Honda's use a flat blade plug style system for their headlights, and IMO they are stupid prone to failure. You have to use a good amount of dielectric grease on the prongs when replacing the bulb, otherwise it burns out the connector. Just my experience from when I had a Civic that used the same bulb your Oddyssey does
  • said_aouita
    cruiser_96;1437404 wrote:Thx, said. I'll be checking the volts soon.

    Thanks again.
    If volts come back OK, visually inspect the headlamp wires. See if frayed or sliced anywhere. Could be rubbing against something causing the bulbs to short out.

    Or just consider driving during day time.
  • cruiser_96
    LJ: I saw someone reference a particular style or brand of grease. Would you think that would matter???
  • cruiser_96
    said_aouita;1437409 wrote:...Or just consider driving during day time.
    That joke did not go over very well with the Mrs. when I used it last night. Granted, we were parked at a gas station trying to figure things out, but lead balloon still.
  • LJ
    cruiser_96;1437417 wrote:LJ: I saw someone reference a particular style or brand of grease. Would you think that would matter???
    It's been so long, I think I just bought the $.50 squeeze pack they have at the checkout at Autozone.
  • FatHobbit
    LJ;1437407 wrote:So the Honda's use a flat blade plug style system for their headlights, and IMO they are stupid prone to failure. You have to use a good amount of dielectric grease on the prongs when replacing the bulb, otherwise it burns out the connector. Just my experience from when I had a Civic that used the same bulb your Oddyssey does
    You regreased the connector when you changed the lights? I'm asking because I have never done that and I have had my civic for 10 years. I know I've replaced a couple of lights in the last few years but I didn't pay enough attention to know if it's a problem or just normal maintenance. Maybe I should be doing that with mine too. (I have a headlight out now that needs to be replaced)
  • LJ
    FatHobbit;1437436 wrote:You regreased the connector when you changed the lights? I'm asking because I have never done that and I have had my civic for 10 years. I know I've replaced a couple of lights in the last few years but I didn't pay enough attention to know if it's a problem or just normal maintenance. Maybe I should be doing that with mine too. (I have a headlight out now that needs to be replaced)
    I didn;t the first time I changed them and I fried the connectors. I guess it is an insulating grease and protects both ends from arcing, water, and heat.
  • said_aouita
    cruiser_96;1437417 wrote:LJ: I saw someone reference a particular style or brand of grease. Would you think that would matter???
    Dielectric grease
  • cruiser_96
    said_aouita;1437555 wrote:Dielectric grease
    That's the stuff!
  • TedSheckler
    Sounds like low blinker fluid.
  • Ironman92
    TedSheckler;1437604 wrote:Sounds like low blinker fluid.

    Lol.....go to Auto Zone and find the dumbest looking worker and they'll help you look for it for a bit.
  • cruiser_96
    Muffler bearings anyone???