Worst factory headlight design

[3930dave]

While poor output and a bad pattern are definitely a problem, what got me thinking about this subject was what somebody I know went through changing a headlight bulb on a '09 Malibu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RiqSjaaquA

For non-DIY'ers, who don't happen to have a competent 7 y/o around, can you imagine what Shop Labour would be on that ?

Who's next for a better-worst candidate ?

Rgds, D.

 

[JJZ 109]

I remember installing a new battery in a '97 Monte Carlo that my wife used to own. It had some kind of a brace that ran diagonally across the top of the battery that had to be removed before you even thought about any of the rest of the process.

 

[DFB]

And he did it without Snap-On tools too!

Terrific video...what an amazing young man

 

[dodge man]

My son had a 98 Olds Aurora that was just awfull to change the light bulbs. Took me something like 3 hours.

 

[3930dave]

That little fellow is not your avg. 7 y/o, and the parents have done a great job in raising him.

In today's world, what % of 17 or 27 y/o's could accomplish the same task ?

Next time I'm seriously looking at something in a showroom, I plan to ask "Please pop the hood, and show me how to change a headlight bulb".

"No can do ? OK, let's stop by the Service desk, and get a quote on this" will be my follow-up.

Rgds, D.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Headlight burned out? I guess it's time to trade in for a new one!

 

[Scrambler82]

That's where the new bumper to bumper warranties come in... you pay ahead of time to get the headlight bulbs changed.

 

[3930dave]

My son had a 98 Olds Aurora that was just awfull to change the light bulbs. Took me something like 3 hours.

Other manufacturers are up to the same malarkey, but it does seem to be a common GM issue.

I've been told that late model GM full-size pickups are not fun either.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

That's where the new bumper to bumper warranties come in... you pay ahead of time to get the headlight bulbs changed.

Scrambler - any chance you and rd_mac are New Car Dealers ? :laughing:

It would be interesting to see if light bulbs are covered in the basic New warranty fine-print, or if you have to pay extra for that.

Makes me appreciate my old Volvo.... takes me no more than 2 minutes to change a headlight bulb - less time if I put down my coffee !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I remember installing a new battery in a '97 Monte Carlo that my wife used to own. It had some kind of a brace that ran diagonally across the top of the battery that had to be removed before you even thought about any of the rest of the process.

I remember that setup.

Might just be me, but I find metal parts (even with Canadian rust on 'em) typically less irritating than many all-plastic assemblies - I hate going hunting for replacement plastic fasteners.

Rgds, D.

 

[Sodo]

"Mazda 3" is similar. Had a friend stop by with a headlight out and he told me it was impossible, that he tried to have it done somewhere and the shop refused. Wrong thing for me to hear. 2 hours later I was victorious but almost told him he to take it to the dealer.

 

[GolfAddict]

I had a headlight burn out on a DTS a few years ago - it probably would have been a 2009 or so. I hadn't changed a headlight in years, but they sure were never that hard to do. I looked under the hood and it was not obvious at all, so I looked in the owners manual. For changing bulbs it just said something like "take it back to the dealer".

I thought that was pretty ridiculous, so I started googling to see if I could find instructions, and I did. Early in the process it had you removing parts, including the fender! I took it to the dealer...

BTW, headlights are covered with your bumper to bumper warranty, thank goodness.

 

[Baby Grand]

My Mazda6 is not much better, from my recollection.
But that's much less aggravating that trying to extract the oil filter on The Plant Manager's old F-Focus. You have to reach way down, between the engine & firewall. There's some kind of throttle cable bracket half way down the abyss. It's made of stamped & bent up sheet metal that they never knocked the sharp edges off of ad it always manages to get snagged on my skin, shirt sleeve or a glove, resulting in lots of language and a puddle of oil on the driveway.

 

[nybirdman]

That is the one thing I don't like about my 2010 Subaru Outback;remove the tire,inner fender liner to change a bulb.

 

[Industrial Toys]

08 GMC Sierra. Almost impossible and internet/youtube advice just plain wrong! Best to have fingers like ET. Wouldn't be so bad, if touching the bulb wasn't forbotten!

GREAT light though. I often get flashed by others even on low beam.
Some of those bright new headlights are just terrible! When I get blinded by those, I just put on my highs and leave them on!

 

[coobie]

My 2004 dodge 2500 series had the most god awful headlights.Might as well use two candles.

 

[GolfAddict]

My current car has headlights that move up and down, for some reason that I can't remember, and back and forth with the steering wheel. I can't imagine what it would be like changing a bulb. :shocked:

 

[3930dave]

So.... it seems pretty universal that the Design Priority has now become:

Make certain that only the most stubborn of DIY masochists dare take on these Manhattan Project Light Bulb replacments !

I can see leaving skin behind, on many of these. Or, major $$$ at a shop.

Rgds, D.

 

[Sodo]

Wouldn't be so bad, if touching the bulb wasn't forbotten!

Sorry for off-topic but it can help the issue at hand.

I think the "never touch a halogen bulb with finger oils etc" was determined to be an urban legend. It has something to do with uneven temperatures due to the glass can cause the tungsten to re-deposit in the wrong place, causing thinner sections of filament then burning out there (sooner). It was determined that halogen bulbs always redeposits unevenly, that lifetime difference between touched and untouched bulbs were not measurable. Wikipedia doesn't mention the re-depositing theory but says that contaminants on a quartz bulb can cause the bulb to explode. I've never seen that, they only burn out.

All you need is clean hands - wash hands before handling the bulb. I wonder if MFRs leave it on their instructions hoping the consumer might accept responsibility for the case where bulb life was very short. Or cuz they can't trust the installer to have clean hands.

 

[3930dave]

My 2004 dodge 2500 series had the most god awful headlights.Might as well use two candles.

Years ago, I remember driving my boss's Intrepid. Even back then, most of my flashlights threw more light.

Poor factory lighting like this would prevent you from getting a ticket written up, but that's about all it was good for.

Rgds, D.