JDM fob Light Bulbs - MELTED my housings!

[jamesj2k]

Just noticed today that my JDM yellow 55W fog light bulbs melted my fog light housings (both)!!

Only a $150 fix but still sucks. Are the Hoen xenon match bulbs safe?

Im beginning to think should use the stock bulbs at this point.

[B8 S FOR]

Just noticed today that my JDM yellow 55W fog light bulbs melted my fog light housings (both)!!

Only a $150 fix but still sucks. Are the Hoen xenon match bulbs safe?

Im beginning to think should use the stock bulbs at this point.

Hoen are safe and excellent! Had em in for 9 months now .... no issues!

[jamesj2k]

I know the stock bulbs are 55W. So were the JDM yellow.

I never thought that using my fog lights for daytime use would melt the housing.

So is it no advisable to vag your fog lights for DRL?

James

[Psalm40]

For what it is worth, OEM Nissan GT-R reverse lights have been known to melt the plastic lens if left on for too long. I think you'll be safe with the HOENs.

[Snyper886]

How long did you have those in for? I have a set of Steal 4700K H11 and wonder if I'll have the same problem as you... Likely will give it a go and monitor closely. Any pics of your meltdown?

[Comp4k]

My Luminics have not melted my housing, and it has been 1.5 years since I've had them.

[Deep Sea S4]

Running HOEN in 4 different Audi's for 2+ years and not even a burned bulb

[NWS4Guy]

Another + for Hoen

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2772389

[Jones2012s4]

I have been running 55w 5000K H11 now for about 3 months. It has been colder obviously but I have had no issues. Will have to monitor in the next couple months.

[CreoSTi]

Haven't had an issue with my Hoen's in over a year. One bulb burnt out after about 30 days, but I was sent a free replacement (so great customer service as well).

[b6bydesign04]

Hoen are safe and excellent! Had em in for 9 months now .... no issues!

Ditto

[staticuxo]

i have Hoen Endurance yellow 55W fog lights in my S5 and i run them with LEDs day and night.. no issues here.

[jamesj2k]

Make sure you keep an eye on your housing. I used them as DRL over the summer with temps up to 90deg.

I BET you that if you are running them as DRL that after one summer there will be some damage to housing.

I am going to replace m housing and put back my OEM bulbs and I may stop running them as DRL (a shame but I dont want to replace fog housing on a yearly basis)

check your housing carefully and let me know

[noznab]

You probably should have gone with 35w for your fogs--55w is kind of overkill imo. 55w halogen isn't the same as a 55w HID

[Jones2012s4]

You probably should have gone with 35w for your fogs--55w is kind of overkill imo. 55w halogen isn't the same as a 55w HID

This,

Is what I wish I had known before hand. Probably won't run them in summer lol.

[sirpickles]

bumping an old thread but I put in some Putco bulbs in and they felt really hot when I was testing. Worried about it now as I have no idea what the wattage on these bulbs is.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042FTHRG/

[LODOSS]

If you dont' mind me asking. What brand JDM bulbs did you get? I'll make sure to steer clear of them.. Nokya? Luminics? PIAA?

[MrFunk]

No issue with mine for a year.

[jamesj2k]

UPDATED INFO: My STOCK fog lights started melting my housing with yellow vinyl tint on it AND I vagd my fog lights to be on as DRL. I have since removed the vinyl and I ONLY use my fog lights at night. I dont really want to spend $150 to replace my housings again.

So fog lights as DRL with vinyl tint with STOCK bulbs melt as well!! crazy

[NPuter]

I am running these: http://www.amazon.com/Luminics-JDM-Yellow-H11-12V/dp/B000X4F9V8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351779891&sr=8-1&keywords=luminics+jdm+h11

No issues, and I've had them for a year (and I use the fogs a lot). Only thing is my lenses have fogged over. However, I don't blame that on the bulbs because that happens even with the stock bulbs. I just need to pull the bulbs out and clean the lenses.

[MailmanOdd]

UPDATED INFO: My STOCK fog lights started melting my housing with yellow vinyl tint on it AND I vagd my fog lights to be on as DRL. I have since removed the vinyl and I ONLY use my fog lights at night. I dont really want to spend $150 to replace my housings again.

So fog lights as DRL with vinyl tint with STOCK bulbs melt as well!! crazy
I mean I think there is a reason they are fog lights and you have other lights for DRL.

[ENV²]

I have heard that people with the Lamin-X on their fogs have had melting issues. I am guessing it insulates too much trapping high heat.

[inNout]

I am running these: http://www.amazon.com/Luminics-JDM-Yellow-H11-12V/dp/B000X4F9V8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351779891&sr=8-1&keywords=luminics+jdm+h11

No issues, and I've had them for a year (and I use the fogs a lot). Only thing is my lenses have fogged over. However, I don't blame that on the bulbs because that happens even with the stock bulbs. I just need to pull the bulbs out and clean the lenses.



Been running the Luminics for 3 years. No issue.

[forza1976]

"Fob" lights... [:D]

[Deckdout2]

I am running these: http://www.amazon.com/Luminics-JDM-Yellow-H11-12V/dp/B000X4F9V8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351779891&sr=8-1&keywords=luminics+jdm+h11

No issues, and I've had them for a year (and I use the fogs a lot). Only thing is my lenses have fogged over. However, I don't blame that on the bulbs because that happens even with the stock bulbs. I just need to pull the bulbs out and clean the lenses.

Same exact issue here. I'm running the Blesk conversion kit with 6000k and no issues with melting, just fogging up.

[NPuter]

Same exact issue here. I'm running the Blesk conversion kit with 6000k and no issues with melting, just fogging up.

Yea, I have the day off, so I'm going to get up off my lazy ass and go clean mine out now [rolleyes]
One of them is really bad - you cannot even see through it. The other one is also fogged, but not nearly as bad.

[jamesj2k]

are you sure the "fogging" is not shit melting and fuming inside the housing lol

[Undertowjockey]

Anyone use Ziza fogs? any feedback?

[Deckdout2]

Yea, I have the day off, so I'm going to get up off my lazy ass and go clean mine out now [rolleyes]
One of them is really bad - you cannot even see through it. The other one is also fogged, but not nearly as bad.

What's your address? I'm not off work, but I can step away real quick and remove and send them to you for a good cleaning. :)


are you sure the "fogging" is not shit melting and fuming inside the housing lol

It just looks like fogging from what we can see. Maybe after Nick cleans his, he can give us a little more detail if otherwise.

[jlaudio]

why not just go with HOEN xenonmatch of endurance bulbs? they really are the only tried and true solution that won't melt your housings. i'm rather confused as why everyone keeps using different bulbs THEN starts asking questions or gets pissed when they have melted housings

[jamesj2k]

I think the biggest problem is having fogs as DRL....I wouldn't recommend it.

[sirpickles]

It's because none of us expect the bulbs, with the same wattage as stock, to do damage to the housing.

I'll drive with them at night only.

[NeedQuattro]

Anyone use Ziza fogs? any feedback?

8 months now and no issues.

[NPuter]

are you sure the "fogging" is not shit melting and fuming inside the housing lol

I hate to say it, but you hit the nail on the head.

Driver side:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6533919/Fog%20Lights/2012-11-01%2013.52.45.jpg

Passenger side:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6533919/Fog%20Lights/2012-11-01%2013.54.52.jpg

I started with my driver's side, because that is obviously the worst side. I first noticed that something was wrong when I couldn't get the damn bulb out - it would not budge. I stopped when the back of the bulb broke apart in my hand. I then aimed my shop light directly at the lens to try to see inside the housing. I could just barely see inside of it. This is what I saw:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6533919/Fog%20Lights/2012-11-01%2014.28.27.jpg

It's hard to tell from the picture, but that "thing" hanging down above the bulb is where the reflector has melted and warped down.

I then took another look at the passenger side, and sure enough, it is beginning to melt around the circular seam where the fog bulb pokes through (you can kinda see this in the pic above).

So... anyone know the part numbers for the housings? I would rather fix them myself to save on labor. I am going to order a set of Hoen endurance bulbs, definitely don't want to go through this again...

[Deckdout2]

Would the ebay housings be a good replacement for these if you have to go that route?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-2009-11-AUDI-A4-S4-5D-08-11-A5-CPI-REPLACEMENT-LEFT-DRIVER-FOG-LIGHT-/380504407691?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AAudi|Model%3AS4|Year%3A2011&hash=item5897d47e8b&vxp=mtr

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/USA-2009-11-AUDI-A4-S4-5D-08-11-A5-CPI-REPLACEMENT-LEFT-DRIVER-FOG-LIGHT-/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/$(KGrHqJHJBoE8+zKh0MuBPY6gh6RCQ~~60_12.JPG

[jlaudio]

It's because none of us expect the bulbs, with the same wattage as stock, to do damage to the housing.

I'll drive with them at night only.

understandable, but anything thats labeled as JDM which stands for japanese domestic market, is most likely not from japan and not oem and most likely a cheap chinese knock off. the hoen's are almost $50 a pair after shipping, and looking at a cheap bulb vs a hoen bulb side by side there are major differences in quality.

[AKPS4]

i didnt read through all the posts but everyone seems to like HOEN bulbs. personally i think they suck. i bought them based on everyones recommendations but they are just a cheap alternative to getting a yellow color but provide no light that is even worth using. maybe some people dont care to use them for light but i've found my HIDs useful in foggy situtations and its just another good way for on coming traffic to see you or cars pulling out of side streets.

i use DDM Tuning HID bulbs with ballasts. They are the perfect yellow and actually provide light and are very cheap. I have used them in many vehicles over many years without ever replacing a bulb or damaging the housings. 35W and 55W are both available but the 55W are not necessary whatsoever and are likely to melt the housing. 35W is all you need and i have not had any damage using these bulbs. I just did the drive to poconos for the dubrun and had the fog lights on for atleast 4 hours straight and longer with short breaks in between when we stopped.

[dparm]

All of those bulbs that claim to be "HID like" or "JDM" or whatever shit you want to label it with are just that...shit. No QA, often illegal light output, bad filament placement, colored glass, etc.

I would stick with the big brand names like Philips, Wagner, Sylvania, etc.

And no, I would not use the eBay fog lamps to replace yours. Those too are often shit quality and have poor light cutoff, don't fit right, or won't focus the beams correctly.

[jamesj2k]

Thats exactly what my housing looked like. I bought replacements from http://genuineaudiparts.com $66 a piece....search for "fog"


I hate to say it, but you hit the nail on the head.

Driver side:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6533919/Fog%20Lights/2012-11-01%2013.52.45.jpg

Passenger side:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6533919/Fog%20Lights/2012-11-01%2013.54.52.jpg

I started with my driver's side, because that is obviously the worst side. I first noticed that something was wrong when I couldn't get the damn bulb out - it would not budge. I stopped when the back of the bulb broke apart in my hand. I then aimed my shop light directly at the lens to try to see inside the housing. I could just barely see inside of it. This is what I saw:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6533919/Fog%20Lights/2012-11-01%2014.28.27.jpg

It's hard to tell from the picture, but that "thing" hanging down above the bulb is where the reflector has melted and warped down.

I then took another look at the passenger side, and sure enough, it is beginning to melt around the circular seam where the fog bulb pokes through (you can kinda see this in the pic above).

So... anyone know the part numbers for the housings? I would rather fix them myself to save on labor. I am going to order a set of Hoen endurance bulbs, definitely don't want to go through this again...

[jamesj2k]

OEM are only $66 per side at http://genuineaudiparts.com search for "fog"



Would the ebay housings be a good replacement for these if you have to go that route?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-2009-11-AUDI-A4-S4-5D-08-11-A5-CPI-REPLACEMENT-LEFT-DRIVER-FOG-LIGHT-/380504407691?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AAudi|Model%3AS4|Year%3A2011&hash=item5897d47e8b&vxp=mtr

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/USA-2009-11-AUDI-A4-S4-5D-08-11-A5-CPI-REPLACEMENT-LEFT-DRIVER-FOG-LIGHT-/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/$(KGrHqJHJBoE8+zKh0MuBPY6gh6RCQ~~60_12.JPG

[mattchat]

I'm running PIAA, but they're an H8 35w on the new 2013 B8.5 so wonder if they lowered the output on purpose? They're bright enough for fogs but I do notice a difference with the H11 55w I have on our Honda Odyssey, they are a bit brighter and yellower. I've heard of guys wanting to put higher wattage in the housing, guess that's not gonna be a good idea. You could get 35w H11 instead and see if that keeps the heat down enough.

[dparm]

All H11s are 55w and must produce 1350 lumens, +/- 10% -- that's the law.

Below is a snippet of something I wrote in the B6 S4 forum last year. It contains a suggestion if you want something a tad brighter without worrying about damaging the assemblies: the Osram Night Breaker Plus. They use a more efficient filament to better direct the light onto the road. The special blue band at the tip gives more of an HID appearance without sacrificing too much light output (it's a clear band around the filament). Pic at the bottom.




FOG LAMPS
OEM
H11
12V
4.58A
55W
1215-1485 lumens (legal limits)
500hr

Similar to the high beams, there are legal limits on the H11. You can look for the same brands of "high efficiency" bulbs. The Xtreme Vision is not produced in H11 so the best you can do is the Nightbreaker Plus. If you're feeling particularly brave, an H9 can be modified to run in an H11 socket but it pulls 65W at 5.42A. You will get 2100 lumens (+/- 10%). This will generate considerably more heat (since these can be run for long periods) and may draw unwanted attention from law enforcement. Like the high beams, 65W is the standard in Europe so it is probably safe.

Most auto parts stores, under $30/pair:
Sylvania XtraVision
Philips Vision Plus

Internet/mail order, $60/pair or more:
Osram Night Breaker Plus




http://www.conrad.de/medias/global/ce/8000_8999/8500/8570/8574/857469_BB_00_FB.EPS_1000.jpg