H9 Headlight Bulbs

txdox21 · June 22, 2011

I read about a few guy converting the H9 bulb to fit in the H11 socket, and I bought and installed the Bulbzilla converter over the weekend. The extra light output is a good improvement, but today I was looking at the reflector housing and noticed some discoloration.

Needless to say, I regret the decision to install the bulbs. Before anybody says anything, I know its a 65W bulb put in place of a 55W bulb. Based on the size of the wire, I calculated that the stock wiring could handle the extra draw. I also assumed the housing would not be damaged by the extra heat since the high beam bulb is a 65W and it is in the same housing right below the low beam.

Who here is running the H9 bulb, and have you noticed the same discoloration I have?

DaveH71 · June 23, 2011

I sent you a pm before i saw this thread sorry. Anyway, that seems pretty far away from the bulb. Hard to tell from the pic but are you sure its not just moisture buildup. Try to remove it with a q-tip or something. Seems like an odd place for the bulb to be causing discoloration.

DaveH71 · June 23, 2011

Here is a pic of both my low beams, keep in mind i have a sierra. The sierra reflectors are a tad bit smaller then the silverado so it would make sense for me to have this problem but mine look brand new?

txdox21 · June 23, 2011

Out of curiousity, does anyone know how much the lens and housing would cost to replace?

Ianf · June 23, 2011

DEPO lights are about $180 a pair shipped and look identical to the OEM, they are available in black and chrome. OEMs are probably about 200 to 225 each if yyou can find a deal.

&CDFiXER% · June 24, 2011

Looks kinda like outgassing from contamination on the bulb or reflector parts that get hot?

DaveH71 · June 24, 2011

yeah that's what i'm thinking to. Doesn't really look like heat discoloration. Looks like something was on the bulb and burned off leaving a residue as the heat rose. Have you tried wiping it off yet?

txdox21 · June 24, 2011

Looks like yall were right, it appears to be some kind of off gassing that created a film on the reflector. I was able to just barely get a finger in with a microfiber glass cloth to wipe a away a small portion of the haze. I have no idea how I am going to get the rest of it out though.

Any ideas on what I can use to "snake" in there to wipe it out?

Spurshot · June 24, 2011

I'm guessing you were the one that inquired by PM earlier. So, nothing new to add. One did outgas something immediately after installing. The other seemed clear. Been that way for over a year, maybe nearly two yrs now. H-9 bulbs seem to last a little over a year before they go out. That's with the DRLs running all the time.

DaveH71 · June 24, 2011

Looks like yall were right, it appears to be some kind of off gassing that created a film on the reflector. I was able to just barely get a finger in with a microfiber glass cloth to wipe a away a small portion of the haze. I have no idea how I am going to get the rest of it out though.

Any ideas on what I can use to "snake" in there to wipe it out?

Try bending a q-tip into an L shape and see if that works. I'm glad it was only haze, i figured it wasn't damaged. Just didn't seem like the bulb could have caused that damage, especially in the amount of time you had them in. Good thing you asked on here before buying new headlights.