Silver coated bulbs a problem?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 17
From: Middlefield, OH
Silver coated bulbs a problem?
I bought these only a few months ago and installed in place of the parking lights/turn signal bulbs. The left one burned out just a few days ago.
I decided to replace both, but was I surprised when I removed the bulb. I'd say there was a little heat problem here.
I temporarily installed a similar bulb and will go back to factory bulbs shortly. The socket looked blackened, as well.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 269
From: Cape Canaveral Florida
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '26
NCM Lifetime Member
I have been using Stealth Auto bulbs for a couple of years with no issues. I had one burn out and they replaced it under their warranty, but no heat issues when I removed it (I used dielectric grease on the bulbs when I put them in ... always do with GM sockets).
So far as I know the bulbs are just standard bulbs they coat with whatever they coat them with. I like the look when they are off and they seem nice and bright when they are on.
So far as I know the bulbs are just standard bulbs they coat with whatever they coat them with. I like the look when they are off and they seem nice and bright when they are on.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove CA
The OEM bulb is somewhat unique to GM and specially made for DRL use. They do get hot as bright as they are, but have only seen issues with early 05's as far as charring the receptacle. Using a little dilectric grease in the socket seems to help. I, more often than not now, shut off the DRL's at start up.
The "chrome" bulbs are usually based on the 3157,3357, and 3457 amber turn signal bulbs and don't quite make as much light (or heat) as the OEM bulbs. However, they don't seem to last as long as OEM bulbs when they have to do double duty as DRL's. Stealth brand bulbs do carry a lifetime warranty, so you could get them replaced if need be. I had one burn out after 4 days, but it was dimmer than the other side from the start so I think it might have been bad from the get-go. It wasn't a Stealth brand bulb, so their's may be better.
The "chrome" bulbs are usually based on the 3157,3357, and 3457 amber turn signal bulbs and don't quite make as much light (or heat) as the OEM bulbs. However, they don't seem to last as long as OEM bulbs when they have to do double duty as DRL's. Stealth brand bulbs do carry a lifetime warranty, so you could get them replaced if need be. I had one burn out after 4 days, but it was dimmer than the other side from the start so I think it might have been bad from the get-go. It wasn't a Stealth brand bulb, so their's may be better.
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From: Chicago IL
See current pic below...
Last edited by Tom_Slick; May 18, 2009 at 11:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 815
Likes: 1
From: Mesa "highlands" AZ
Maybe it's just me......
But I wouldn't trust the integrity of a bulb when the manufacturer doesn't have enough faith in their product to put their name on it.
Also, I have heard a lot of people complain of the longevity of SOME aftermarket bulbs, in many different applications. Maybe GM did something right with the OEM's.
But I wouldn't trust the integrity of a bulb when the manufacturer doesn't have enough faith in their product to put their name on it.
Also, I have heard a lot of people complain of the longevity of SOME aftermarket bulbs, in many different applications. Maybe GM did something right with the OEM's.
Last edited by RnLi; May 19, 2009 at 01:44 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove CA
Maybe it's just me......
But I wouldn't trust the integrity of a bulb when the manufacturer doesn't have enough faith in their product to put their name on it.
Also, I have heard a lot of people complain of the longevity of SOME aftermarket bulbs, in many different applications. Maybe GM did something right with the OEM's.
But I wouldn't trust the integrity of a bulb when the manufacturer doesn't have enough faith in their product to put their name on it.
Also, I have heard a lot of people complain of the longevity of SOME aftermarket bulbs, in many different applications. Maybe GM did something right with the OEM's.