Headlight bulb help!

[blizzard]

I just bought some Sylvania Silverstars for my Protege5. Apart from breaking my driver's side housing (new headlight assembly costs $385 CDN by the way) I have them in my car now. I was wondering if there was a correct orientation for the bulbs. They are completely round except for a small "nipple" for lack of a better word (I am talking about the metal base of the bulb). The owner's manual seems to have this nipple pointing up, but I am not sure it I can really tell from the picture or not. Can anyone help me out?

Just for arguments sake... I had installed it with the "nipple" up, and when I took it to a dealer today to ask them to check the alignment, they said it was upside-down!! However, I am sure that's the only way it will fit properly.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[traitorhound]

you can see in the headlight housing how its supposed to fit. . it should only fit in one way. . unless i put mine in wrong???

 

[Matthew]

i think you pop it in and twist, IIRC, and there is only supposed to be one way like he said?

anyhow, how did you manage to break something?

 

[SuperWagon502]

When I installed my bulbs<Sylvanias Also but Cool Blues> the "nipple" or "mini-flange" as I called it, was on the bottom. Although its kinda difficult for me to do even with somewhat small hands, I d say try pushing the bulb towards the front of the car and rotating it until you feel the Nipple slide into place. It kinda feels like it slides foward a little bit.
When i looked at them today i also realized that for some reason my driver side points upwards a bit too..... My friends in trucks like an F150 complain that it shines right in their faces, but its lined up with my passenger side. <a 10 foot distance alighnment test at night on friends garage door>

 

[blizzard]

Got it figured?

Well, I just went outside and played around with it some more. I felt the back of the headlight housing with my finger, and there is definitely a notch at the top of the headlight housing for the bulb to fit into!!! Why would the dealer say the nipple should be down?!?!?

I have not been impressed with the headlights on the car since I bought it. However I came across that post where they said the lights were super good. Perhaps they are just out of alignment?! Here's a few pic of my beam pattern. Are they way off, or is it just me?

BTW, when I went to the dealer today, I asked them to check the alignment on the right hand head light, and all the service advisor told me when they were done was, "the bulb was upside-down, and as soon as we turned it around, the alignment was perfect!" Well, if this is perfect...

<10 feet from wall, slight up-hill. Low beams.

Same distance Hi beams.

Low beams (note, that progection isn't more than 35-40 feet until it drops off).

High beams (big dead spot on the right hand side).

 

[SuperWagon502]

I think the right side is just a tency bit off.....If the nipple should be facing up, why did mine go in and they're facing DOWN?!? awww crap I knew somthing wasn't right. One more thing to fix tommorrow while i change my plugs

 

[blizzard]

i think you pop it in and twist, IIRC, and there is only supposed to be one way like he said?

What does IIRC mean?

anyhow, how did you manage to break something?

Mainly 'cuz I'm an idiot!!! I just kept pulling and pulling and pulling on the bulb thinking this is the dumbest, stupidest, motherf'nest design ever for a bulb socket... snap. Then the bulb, and the retainer clip went down inside my wheelwell!!! So then I read the manual. Oh, there's a clip that you remove!!! That's why I couldn't just pull the bulb out!!

Any how, I fished the bulb and clip out, only to realize I have broken my headlight housing in the process (read the manual people!!!).

IMHO the turn style like the 9005 Hi Beams would be much more prudent, but at least now I know how for the future!!!!

Thanks for the responses.

 

[daKiNeP5]

If I Recall Correctly IIRC hehe

 

[SuperWagon502]

What does IIRC mean?
.

I think it's "If I Recall Correctly"

NM ^He beat me to It. Jesus People go to Bed.

 

[blizzard]

I think it's "If I Recall Correctly"

NM ^He beat me to It. Jesus People go to Bed.

Thanks!! It's only 10:21 on the west coast!!! And I thought I'd moved OUT of home!!! J/K

 

[Douggie]

I just RTM and yes, the notch/tab should be pointing upwards.

 

[daved64]

bulb burn out rate

Hi
Rather than start a new thread, I'll stick to this one.

I just had my FOURTH headlight go on my 2002 P5. The first one, I did the same thing as blizzard....snapped the &*^@%^ casing. Luckily I got it covered under warranty. But yesterday I notice another one out again. 4 in less than 3 years. Anyone else have the same mortality rate as me? The bulbs are covered by a 1 year/20,000KM warranty, but I'm over . In 8 years on my Mazda 323 I replaced 2 friggin bulbs!
Thanks

 

[Bumble G]

My dealer has replaced my headlight bulbs a total of 5 times, 2 right 3 left. All under waranty.

 

[SP5]

I just bought some Sylvania Silverstars for my Protege5. Apart from breaking my driver's side housing (new headlight assembly costs $385 CDN by the way) I have them in my car now. I was wondering if there was a correct orientation for the bulbs. They are completely round except for a small "nipple" for lack of a better word (I am talking about the metal base of the bulb). The owner's manual seems to have this nipple pointing up, but I am not sure it I can really tell from the picture or not. Can anyone help me out?

Just for arguments sake... I had installed it with the "nipple" up, and when I took it to a dealer today to ask them to check the alignment, they said it was upside-down!! However, I am sure that's the only way it will fit properly.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Are you looking to buy a new driver's side headlight assembly? I'm selling the one off my P5 if you're interested.

 

[blizzard]

Already got one

Are you looking to buy a new driver's side headlight assembly? I'm selling the one off my P5 if you're interested.

I would have really prefered to buy a used one, however I drive at night a lot, and I was not willing to sacrifice my safety and wait for a used one!! I bought a new one from the dealer. I really appreciate the offer though!

Cheers!

 

[redfyre]

Yes, you are correct. It is "nipple" side up. Putting it in facing down will throw your alignment off. I've had my dealer put my bulbs in upside down once also when the replaced my harness.

 

[blizzard]

Yes, you are correct. It is "nipple" side up. Putting it in facing down will throw your alignment off. I've had my dealer put my bulbs in upside down once also when the replaced my harness.

My question is this: How is it possible for a dealer to install such a common item UPSIDE-DOWN???? How many other people are driving around with their lights all crazy?

Thanks for the help everyone!!!

 

[SkinnyJoint]

ok heres my problem i will stick to this thread...

my left light went out and i checked wires power good. so i wanted to swap the bulbs just cuz tomake sure bulb went out. since i just bought it like couple days ago. now my question is this.

i figured out how to get my right bulb out. from the back theres a lil screw loosen that up a big and pop the clip from under it and it comes out fine. but now i cant get the b**** back in. like the lil clip around the base and under the screw all snug etc. can someeon help me lol.

also how the hell can i get the left one out the windshield wiper fluid canister thing is like right where my screwdriver needs to go does that thing pop like up and out or what can i do? going to get lights today but im screwed so far.......

ok last but leasat. since i just bought my car and it has warranty until july can i just take it to the dealer here and like say fix it or what. how does that work. ive never had a car with warranty etc

 

[Douggie]

You don't need a screwdriver to change a light bulb. I changed mine within 10 min late at night with a flashlight for light.

I'd really suggest RTM.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

yea yea i made a mistake about the clip thing rofl..... my bad my bad

still no one knows about the warranty s***?