I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced what I am. I have only had my HHR for about 2 years, but if I remember correctly, I have put in 6-7 new pairs of headlights, by now. It seems like I put new ones in and 4 months later, they burn out. It almost seems like the car is burning them up. I feel like I have to change the headlights about as much as I have to change the oil. I have tried different brands, cheap ones, expensive ones, but none of them seem to last. Now, my terminology here is probably not correct, but it almost seems like the car's computer/alternator/whatever is supplying/sending too much power to the headlights causing them to run brighter and burn out prematurely. People always flash their lights at me, and even I think my headlights look pretty dang bright. I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but my HHR has the headlamp DRLs. My last car had parking lamp DRLs, and I never had to change the headlights once. Can anyone think of why this might be happening? At this point, I feel like I must the one keeping Sylvania in business.

-Tyler

 

Well its entirely possible that the lights are getting too much voltage, if the diode pack in the alternator is faulty you can start feeding the system 16 volts or more instead of the usual 14-14.5 volts put out normally.

I'd have it checked, if you are dealing with a case of excessive voltage it will eventually take its toll on other components like the ECM, BCM, and other modules.

 

Are your fingertips coming into contact with the bulb when you are swapping it? If so, the oil from your skin could be messing with it.

 

No, the first time I changed them, I thought about this myself. But the subsequent times I made sure I did not touch the bulb. Good thought though..

 

It could be a very simple item.. I'm just trying to help with process of elimination..

Could it be the wrong bulb type by a digit on the package?

 

Well according to the Walmart thing, HHRs use a H13/9008 bulb, which is what I put in. Unless that is wrong...

 

9008/H13's are the correct bulb for the HHR. Have you ever noticed moisture or condensation inside your headlamps, that can be a bulb killer.

 

Only in extreme weather conditions - not typically.

 

843de-

Your first explanation sounds closest to what I am experiencing. It seems as though I am doing everything right when changing bulbs, so I cannot understand what is happening here. Would a defective diode pack cause other issues with the vehicle? Aside from this, I have not really had any issues with my HHR.

 

OK, that may be a clue, you might have a case of the old bulb o-rings getting stuck in the lights so when you install the new ones you're not getting a good seal and moisture is sneaking in.

Yeah bad diodes will cause other issues, they might not have shown up yet. I'd take it to a good auto electrical place and have the charging system checked to make sure its not going over the maximum voltage.