H4 Headlight Conversion Problems

[JeepGirl247]

I was installing a set of unsealed beams and StreetGlow H4 90w/100w bulbs this afternoon and have had nothing but problems with it. (NOTE-I purchased them used from a friend and he said the bulbs are fine). I've replaced the sealed beam headlights in my 88 XJ many times before, but the unsealed beams are a first. Here is what happened:

Once I installed the first headlight, the bulb would only burn after I used a stick to jiggle around the headlight wiring as I reached in from behind with the hood open. My other headlight (which was my stock sealed beam) was working fine and shining bright like usual. Then when I took it out and installed the second unsealed beam headlight, it worked but the other headlight bulb wasn't burning. It was just a mess! So, I jiggled the headlight wiring from behind again and got them both to burn together. The one bulb was dimmer than the other. I then put on the high beams, and the dim bulb had no high beam, but the other bulb did. Then when I switched back to the low beams, neither of the two bulbs worked.

So, I ended up putting my stock sealed beam headlights back in...they were giving me problems at first (i.e. the high beam wouldn't work on the passenger side), but now they are working just like normal.

Does anyone know what could be going on?
Thanks.

 

[Raimond]

Sounds to me like a bad connection as you were having problems before you started the project but now all bulbs are working. Take an eraser and clean all the contacts on the bulbs, and a small piece of emery cloth to clean the connector contacts and give it another try.

 

[JeepGirl247]

Thank you for the suggestion...do you think my current wiring will do the trick then, after I clean up the connection points? Also, does anyone know if a lower wattage bulb - like a 55w/60w bulb would work better than the 90w/100w with my original wiring?

 

[YJBoomer]

I got my set up from roundeyes.com and it my best investment ever. Great at night. Check with them, I think they have the bulbs your looking for.

 

[Turbogus]

On "The Oven" my black panel van, I had issues with high output 190/110 Hella H-4's similar. On first install, the headlights would flash, modulating on and off. This was remedied by installing individual relays between the headlight switch and the headlights. After this the modulation ceased but the headlights were not as bright as they should be. Looking at the gauge of the factory wiring (18 gauge) I detirmined that the factory Ford wiring was too wimpy as I had experienced on other Ford vans that didn't put enough light on the road. I rewired from the relays to the headlight sockets using 12 gauge and they're working flawless now.
After purchasing "Black Betty" my '78 Renegade I updated with Hella shells again and got the same results you're having, I found that the headlight ground strap that ties to the grille behind the headlight was oxidized and packed with crud. After taking a wire brush to the surface and sealing with dieelectric grease I've had no more issues. If this gremlin raises its head again I'll likely re-wire as I did on "The Oven" Good luck to you.