Headlight keeps burning out

Asking the obvious, but did he install with gloves? Was the bulb glass ever touched with bare skin?

 

No and I asked the same. I helped him this last time he called and made sure he used a new pair of gloves to install. About two weeks later, out again. Driverside first followed by passenger the next day.

 

Some Sylvania bulbs are made in china not Germany and are of poor quality. Check before you buy.

 

@Texoma - did you ever figure out your issue? I keep telling my friend switching to LED's was not the solution.

 

Possibly check out the charging system to make sure the correct voltage is being supplied. Most autoparts stores will do it for free.

Voltage surging when starting the truck also certainly isn't kind to light bulb life, but it shouldn't kill them nearly that fast. Whenever I park my truck I always turn the lights off so that when I start it, no voltage is supplied to the bulbs during starting.

 

Yep, I just use the cheaper headlamps, and they last much longer. They have an expected life span on the back of the box. El cheapo is like 2000hrs and the silverstars or the other higher end ones are down to 120hrs.

 

Long life bulbs or standard bulbs will certainly last longer than a performance bulb or a coated bulb. Note that Silverstar is actually lower output than stock. Even so Silverstars should still last for much longer than a couple weeks.

 

Well, they don't. That's why they had a class action law suit against them. I got a check in the mail for $1.62 from it.

 

Same friend now has an LED light dimming on one side. The LED bulbs are not that old so gonna start by checking the charging system first; then check voltage at the headlight connections next. Could this also possibly be a relay issue? Doesn't seem to matter if he has halogen bulbs or LED, eventually they all go out.

 

LEDs typically have a wide voltage operating range, so if it is a voltage issue it would likely be pretty bad. Definitely check the charging system. A relay failure is typically just doesn’t turn on or off, so that seems unlikely.

 

New to the forum, but have been visiting since late 2015 when I got my 2013 Tacoma.
In the first year my headlights went out. I change them with OEM and in less than a year they went out again. I “upgraded” to Silverstar ( Picture to follow ). In less than six months my driver side is out in less than six months my driver side is out again.
I am very confident that I did not touch the bulb. I did not touch my face with my glove and then touch the bulb. Of course, but stupid spring clip is a PITA. The wiring is intact with no issues, the connector is good.
A Google search shows that this is a common problem with Toyotas.
The old burned out bulb has no hazing ( Picture to follow ).
I have read the posts on this forum for months. Differences in bulbs could account for subtle changes and longevity, but not to this degree. I noticed the back of the connectors have two slits build into them. Are these supposed to remain open for ventilation, or should be packed with bulb Greece?
I am suspecting that moisture could be getting in through those slips and shorting out the bulb. There is no humidity in the headlight area. But those slips only access the wiring connectors.
First picture is the old bulb.
Second picture are the openings in the back of the connector.
Last picture is the bulb that I am using.

 

First time I've heard of someone trying to remove the coating. The yellow coating is on the outside and removable with steel wool? I've not purchased the yellow 85/80w Osrams.

 

Check ground. I believe some of these trucks have some wiring issues of the headlights ground connection. If you are able to get an ohmeter and check the resistance of ground and it is high it would be a wise and easy move to make a new clean ground to either the chassis or the engine block on both sides.

 

Hello, new to the forum and I have the headlight issue. Passenger side keeps losing low beam. I have purchased 2 new bulbs and will try the glove thing. Very frustrating. thinking of going back to NA truck. Much less problems. I will let you know what happens this weekend!!!

 

I thought I was the only one that has to change my headlight bulbs once every 6 months. I had one go out again last night. I am going to try an LED kit. Has anyone had any issues with LEDs?

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...565/?year=2011&make=77&model=1618&scc_id=1398

 

Are you using Silverstars or similar which are know to last 6 months at the most?

Don’t use LEDs for many reasons:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-leds-should-not-be-run-in-halogen-reflectors.454371/

While their wall shots show better cut off, they also show a dip in the most critical part of the beam where their should be no light. They also lack hot spots in the beam, which means the beam will not project very far meaning a significant loss of “throw” of your headlights.

 

I have been using Sylvania (orange package). Last time I bought NAPA Nightvision Brilliant bulbs with the same result. I still have the receipt from 3/13/2018 and packaging. Hoping to get an exchange.

Good to know about the LEDs, won't waste my money. I was hopeful it would solve my bulb burn out issue. I even looked into getting a whole new headlight assembly like https://www.carid.com/2011-toyota-tacoma-headlights/spyder-projector-headlights-284646521.html , but that probably won't work either.

 

I had a Lexus dealership fix my headlight and they said they had to replace a diode??? Does anyone know where this diode could be located or does that mean a fuse?

 

Thanks for troubleshooting this for me!

Just started having the issue; this will be my third driver's side low beam in a year.

 

Bumping this up - having the same problem in 2022! Always low beams but never high beams. Can burn out either side. I have noticed they run v hot, even with the recommended bulbs. Not a massive pain but getting tired of switching bulbs every couple of months.... any ideas out there?