General Technical & Electrical General technical and electrical discussion for the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.

Melting Headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-22-2006
Oh5Edge's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Melting Headlights

I went to do the bumper mod today and I happened to look at the headlight right in my face. The driver-side headlight is actually melting up-and-to-the-right of the bulb. I bought these headlights from vertex racing and put their bulbs in them. I did do the fog-light mod so could that be the problem? I'm kind of nervous to run my headlights now. I can run just fogs until i find out what the problem is. It's a 2005 Edge.
 
  #2  
Old 08-22-2006
DaneTrain's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Wellington, CO
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would quick find someone with stock bulbs(or your old ones) and put them back in, and take it to the dealer for some free lights...
 
  #3  
Old 08-22-2006
r0ng5's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Oh5Edge
I went to do the bumper mod today and I happened to look at the headlight right in my face. The driver-side headlight is actually melting up-and-to-the-right of the bulb. I bought these headlights from vertex racing and put their bulbs in them. I did do the fog-light mod so could that be the problem? I'm kind of nervous to run my headlights now. I can run just fogs until i find out what the problem is. It's a 2005 Edge.
i wouldn't just run fogs... it's illegal.

Are the bulbs higher wattage than stock? That might be a cause. Put your stock bulbs in and buy some normal wattage bulbs instead.

EDIT:
Originally Posted by DaneTrain
I would quick find someone with stock bulbs(or your old ones) and put them back in, and take it to the dealer for some free lights...
word to your mother
 
  #4  
Old 08-22-2006
BRENSRANGER's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
the headlights on my fourwheeler did that, to mutch voltage going to the headlights and thay melted
 
  #5  
Old 08-22-2006
Oh5Edge's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I went looking for my old headlights and I can't find them. Is there any possibility it could be getting any more power from doing the fog-mod? If not, whats the stock wattage? I do know running just fogs is illegal, but coming home from work at 11 pm, it's a five minute drive in the most rural part of town, and no cops. Just temporary.
 
  #6  
Old 08-22-2006
KARPE's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Valrico, Fl 33594
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
you probably melted doing the headlight mod, switch to some silverstars or stock bulbs. or leave it and check it again in a few days to see if its more melted or the same.
 
  #7  
Old 08-22-2006
l2en's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The Keystone State
Posts: 4,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
He bought aftermarket headlamp cases and bulbs.

The fog light mod wouldn't have anything to do with this. Odds are those bulbs are too high a voltage or the headlamp cases are cheap.
 
  #8  
Old 08-22-2006
Oh5Edge's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Would doing the Foglight-mod void any warranty at the dealer? It's due for an oil change and I think I may just take it to the dealer to get the oil changed and see what they say about the headlights.
 
  #9  
Old 08-22-2006
l2en's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The Keystone State
Posts: 4,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lol, they won't pull the relay. 99 out of 100 Ford techs wouldn't know the difference anyway.
 
  #10  
Old 08-22-2006
Oh5Edge's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, all I have to do now is find my stock bulbs and I should be due for some new headlights maybe. I feel better, I looked at that melted spot and thought instantly about your truck. But since yours was caused by an e-fan and mine's just a bulb to powerful for its own good, that's a relief.
 
  #11  
Old 08-22-2006
l2en's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The Keystone State
Posts: 4,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You do have aftermarket headlamp cases right? If so you'll have to swap out the stock cases and bulbs to get it replaced free under warranty.
 
  #12  
Old 08-22-2006
Oh5Edge's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah, they're aftermarket. So basically I'm stuck with a melted headlight or stock (which I can't find). I guess I'll just have to go buy some new bulbs.
 
  #13  
Old 08-22-2006
n3elz's Avatar
RF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Kennett Square, PA
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Brighter aftermarket bulbs have melted a LOT of Ranger headlight connectors and what not. They are a bad idea -- our trucks simply don't tolerate them well.

Two ways to get brighter/whiter light: higher wattage and higher filament temperatures or both.

Generally, bulbs which are brighter with the same wattage use a fine filament that "burns" at a higher temperature for the same wattage. Silverstars are an example.

Other lights with higher wattage produce correspondingly more heat. Also, our headlight wiring is thin and the connectors cheap. Not a good combination for high wattage lighting.

You can get "whiter" light with a blue tint, but it reduces the overall brightness some if it's too much. A hotter filament and faint blue tint is what Silverstars have.

Good luck with your repairs.
 
  #14  
Old 08-22-2006
Oh5Edge's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I didn't buy the bulbs trying to get brighter. They just came with the headlights I bought. They didn't seem any brighter than stock yet the after-market housing melted. Stock bulbs are fine for me.
 
  #15  
Old 08-22-2006
Trigger01's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 18,788
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Just wondering what headlights you bought, any pics?
 
  #16  
Old 08-22-2006
Oh5Edge's Avatar
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I bought them from Vertex Racing. I don't have any pictures but they look exactly like every other black housing headlight, nothing special about them. I just noticed the melting today so I don't have any pictures of them actually melted.
 
  #17  
Old 08-23-2006
n3elz's Avatar
RF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Kennett Square, PA
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Okay, I misinterpreted your post, sorry. It's just been a recurring issue for folks in the past.

Might just be a bad run of plastic or something.
 
  #18  
Old 08-23-2006
Npierce's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I bought these lights too. Wish I would have joined on here before I did would have been fine with the headlight mod... hopefullly mine dont melt...
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Volcimkid213
OLD - Interior, Exterior, Electrical, & Misc.
17
08-08-2010 01:09 AM
silverstreak4x4
General Ford Ranger Discussion
4
09-17-2009 05:46 PM
SouthernMudSlinger
General Ford Ranger Discussion
9
08-17-2007 10:54 PM
BRENSRANGER
Drivetrain Tech
13
06-16-2007 01:10 PM
Rob99
General Technical & Electrical
22
08-25-2006 03:30 PM



Quick Reply: Melting Headlights



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:27 AM.