Really need some help, got a major headlight problem...

[The5ickne55]

First off I bought cheap ass ebay headlights (just for a clearer white look, didn't have money for HIDS at time)

Well driving home my passenger side light went from white ...to orange ...to black.

My headlight went out, I open the hood and I smell the smell of burnt plastic.

The connecter burnt the hell up :\, I went to unplug it from the bulb...crack. The connector/harness is melted and the bulb shattered inside the housing.

What should I do X_X

[XD2O]

Sounds like you'll need a new harness....

[Uncle_Unix]

They sell replacement plugs, hopefully you did not short anything out and a fuse blew to protect it. I always like to add a little dielectric grease tot he plus to keep moisture and corrosion out

[TRD TC]

dam dude that sucks .. just try to change everything out you should be fine and i am sure you would blow a fuse before anything serious happened

[XD2O]

They sell replacement plugs, hopefully you did not short anything out and a fuse blew to protect it. I always like to add a little dielectric grease tot he plus to keep moisture and corrosion out

Great advice, the dielectric grease can save you tons of issues...

Even if you melted the end of the wires on the harness, there should be enough play left to trim that off and install a replacement plug. Might want to hit up TRDSparks and see if they sell them!

[bobolinko]

Actually, Radio Shack has the most inexpensive plug for the headlamp connection. All you need to get is the end piece and splice the wires to the original harness wiring (the part that is not burnt) You can easily trace the connections cause there are only 3 of them. I got a connector(amphenol) for something like 3 bucks. NAPA, Checkers and any auto parts store would have one as well. http://www.repairconnector.com/products/Headlamp-Connector-H4-%7B47%7D-9003-Sealed-Beam-Repair.html
Crimp connectors and a good watertight taping would be fine for a long term repair. The Gel/Epoxy filled connectors would assure a non-corroding connection and would be a better choice if you don't mind spending a tad more for the connectors. Like Kary said, after all the wiring is fixed you can change the fuse, and you should be good to go! All for a few bucks, and maybe 45 minutes of wiring.

[The5ickne55]

^ Thank you !

I just hit up a junkyard and got a couple of them, but this one is ... brand new ! lol


Any advice on how to take the glass out ?

[XD2O]

If it's fried into the socket and you are replacing the socket, no need to get the old bulb out...

[DeadCannon]

Take off the old socket, flip upside down, and shake until all the glass is out. :up:

just don't hold it over head when doing it... but you knew that.

[The5ickne55]

Managed to fix up the light situation.. guess I am going to end up takin headlight off to fix the glass problem...

[XD2O]

Ah, the bulb exploded and the pieces fell inside the headlight housing.... yep, pretty much have to remove the headlight and shake the glass out...

[DeadCannon]

I guess if you didn't wanna take the headlight off you could flip the whole car... :hmm:

[bobolinko]

I would:

Attach a 5/8 clear hose to a vacuum cleaner suction side, and stick it in the headlight bulb hole and simply suck up the bits and pieces. Be CERTAIN, though, to CLEAN THE END OF THE TUBE before you start and it won't leave any marks inside of the h/l assy. I think it's easier than taking the headlight assy out of the car. the smaller the diameter of the hose you use will get higher suction, but cannot suck up larger pieces.

That's just IMHO

[XD2O]

Aw... your no fun Bobo! He's obviously learning, taking off the bumper and removing the headlight assemblies is educational and builds character! ;)

[DeadCannon]

So do flying glass shards!