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Completely OT: Jetta TDI headlamp woes

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/13/2014 : 07:50:57

I've just blown another headlight, which makes it the third set I've replaced since I bought the car (2008-ish). This seems excessive, my ancient Mercedes is still on it's original set as far as I know and they still light up the road better than either of my other vehicles, and my 1999 F-250 (with Canadian regulation always on headlamps) I've never changed either.

That said, the Philips (?) lamps I had in it last time seemed to light up the road well, but I had one of those not even make it into the next day & had to return them (without the packaging, bought them the day trash went out, as did the packaging, Philips gets very grumpy about not having original packaging for some reason, ended up buying a new set from the same place, and using the packaging from the new set to return the blown set).

I see they make LED lamp conversion kits for my car, are these worth it (they're 2-3x what halogens cost)? I'm willing to pay the difference if it's worth it. If not, do you have recommendations for what to get? I'm hesitant to buy new Philips because I know they're not going to last very long, but maybe there's a different manufacturer who makes more reliable lamps?

Anyone an expert on headlights who can...shed a bit of light...?

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2014 : 08:03:34

We have an older Z28 that has the low profile headlamps (that are 2-3 times the cost of a normal sized lamp). We experienced the same thing - lamps burning out pre-maturely.

Forget where I read it but the problem turned out to be corroded ground wire connections . . .

As my dad would say - whodathunkit!

Hope this helps - good luck!

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2014 : 08:16:01

I use Sylvania Silverstar Ultras

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2014 : 08:56:42

quote:
Originally posted by pastmember

I use Sylvania Silverstar Ultras

SilverStars have a bad reputation for burning out quickly on the various TDI / VW forums I've been reading. So far for non-LED replacements, the [url="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GPJPC1C/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=MERDXU4GZ18V&coliid=I2FFNBX3EEAK9H"]Osram Night Breaker Unlimiteds[/url] gets higher marks than most.

I haven't found an independent review of any of LED styles I've found, and their reputation for road view isn't all that good (at least the ones I've found this morning while waiting for scripts to run). They all seem to require cooling fans due to the intense heat buildup when they're on (my little pocket flashlight does the same thing, you can't hold it comfortably after about a minute of run time).

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2014 : 17:19:22

On our 2006 Jetta TDI we are just using whatever was cheap at the local auto store. They seem to last about 40-50k miles, which is good enough for me.

I think the Jetta runs the headlights at full brightness for running daylights, where most cars dim them to about 3/4 brightness (putting less load on the bulbs).

LED bulbs require different reflector designs because the light source is not a pure omnidirectional pin point like an incandescent bulb is. I personally wouldn't switch to LED headlight bulbs unless it was a full replacement headlight unit that was also DOT approved in the same car.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2014 : 17:52:37

I think I might be OK with factory replacements if it weren't for knowing how much better it can be. Our '76 Mercedes has fabulous headlights, so much easier to see with, no idea why. Plus as I've aged, I've found I don't see as well at night (optometrist assures me this is completely normal, if irritating), plus also because of age, my eyes don't present as clear a picture as they used to (which shows up as starry patterns around lights, also annoying).

I don't mind paying for good bulbs, I just don't want to replace them every 5-8k miles (not actually sure how long these have lasted, but it's a short enough duration that I remember the transaction at the local auto parts store well).

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.