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

Melting Headlights

Old Aug 22, 2006
  #1  
Oh5Edge's Avatar
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From: Pensacola, FL
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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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...
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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the headlights on my fourwheeler did that, to mutch voltage going to the headlights and thay melted
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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From: Valrico, Fl 33594
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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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lol, they won't pull the relay. 99 out of 100 Ford techs wouldn't know the difference anyway.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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Just wondering what headlights you bought, any pics?
 
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Old Aug 22, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2006
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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.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2006
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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...
 
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