RAZO low beam bulb BURNED OUT already !

3193 Views 17 Replies 16 Participants Last post by ron, Jan 31, 2003

Acura4Life

Discussion Starter · Sep 10, 2001

I am very disappointed !

One of my RAZO low beam bulbs burned out already !
They suck ! I've only had them for a few months!!

I'm looking to replace them now, but not sure what brand to get.
Going to do extensive research this time. Maybe last time I did not do enough research.

Who knows....but I'm pretty pissed off....just figured I would share my experience and emotion with you all, as usual and give you all a heads up about these.

Happy MDX-ing.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

wmquan

· #2 · Sep 10, 2001

Sorry to hear that. That's the second report of premature Razo burnout I've seen -- I remember one that was very early but thought it was a fluke.

Pittmdx

· #3 · Sep 10, 2001

Sorry to hear that. I heard on another post that PIAA has come out with the Xtreme Series which are whitier than the Razo and i think they have solved the reliability issues. I did see some classifieds from Platinum Prices too but no report of their reliability.

Ronsully

· #4 · Sep 11, 2001

Razos or not

My mother is going to Japan for her yearly trip and I am going to have her pick some light bulbs up. The dilema I have is which type of bulbs should I pick up? Any suggestions? I am sure they would be much cheaper over there. I may have her pick up a few extras if anyone is interested.... Japanese Razos, PIAAs others. I am not really concerned if they are DOT approved (risk seams minor to me)...

Crem de la SUV

· #5 · Sep 11, 2001

Don't be surprised by the early failure of the "ultrabright" lamps.

I seem to remember a thread several months back that discussed their short life. Especially those crappy blue tinted ones like the ones from Platinum Prices. They even have the gall to advertise them as HID! HA!

They manufacture them with a higher wattage to offset the tint (so the beam is not dimmer), and it causes extra heat to build up, which shortens the life of the lamp. Not to mention that most of these no-name lamps just don't have the research and process capabilities that a first class lamp manufacturer has. They just aren't going to beat the quality of a Philips or Sylvania lamp.

You could play the game with the guys who "guarantee" them for life; until they shut down their website and disappear. I wonder how much "shipping and handling" is for the replacement lamps?

BTW, if sticking 100W lamps in place of 65W lamps causes early failure of any of the MDX's electrical components, I wonder if Acura will cover it under the warrantee?

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VA Tech Hokie

· #6 · Sep 11, 2001

There is a lot of dicussion on the "clublexus" site about higher voltage replacement bulbs causing the harnessing wiring to burn.
Does anyone know have any suggestions or long term experience with replacements? Should I be concerned about using the replacement bulbs?

Xtreme MDX

· #7 · Sep 13, 2001

Higher wattage bulbs.....

Yes these high wattage bulbs do heat up more, that is a given. I have been lucky with the old Razos that I had on my Accord. It lasted me more than a year til I traded in the Accord. I do have experience with other light bulbs made by other companies. For some reason when you use the high low beams these higher wattage bulbs tend to burn out, maybe due to the design of the wiring harness. They come from the same main wire and is split with relays, maybe switching to a higher rated relay might be the solution but messing with the wiring harness will definitely void the warranty. The solution might be getting a plug in ballast like the ones used for the Catz Lighting system, but these cost very close to what HIDs wil cost give or take a couple of hundred depending on what kit you get. There is also the option of buying a upgrade harness kit from APC. I am not familiar on how the wiring harness is installed but I have seen the kits for the Accords and these harnesses are thicker, heavier duty and comes with higher rated relays. My advise to you is not to use the high and low beams together, meaning don't flash the hi-low beams. The most cost effective way is probably get the wiring harness kit but check how this replaces the original wiring harness due to warranty issues.

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VA Tech Hokie

· #8 · Sep 13, 2001

thankX Xtreme for the info... I would really like to have the "cool"
lights, but guess I will go conservative and keep the OEM ones...

Beige_MDX

· #9 · Sep 19, 2001

My Philips cool blues are doing fine still. Quite bright and only $12 at the Big K.

ghabicht

· #10 · Sep 19, 2001

MY RAZO'S WENT OUT TOO!

I had one of my Razo's blow out last week. I'm really steamed and I'm not paying $75 for another set. I went to K-Mart for the Sylvania cool blues for [email protected] They are not quite as bright, but they do look good with the PIAA's (the original factory bulbs are too yellowish).

phillyflyer

· #11 · Mar 2, 2002

9.5 months for my Razo low beams. One just died last nite. I was recommended to try the PIAA lows (9006) by a local shop, so I will try them next and report back as necessary. Same price as the Razos and available locally.

I'll admit that I expected the Razos to last longer than 9 months, but the look is nice. Let's hope the PIAAs look as white and last longer.

The PIAA yellow ion fogs installed in my MDX are still going strong, but I notice a difference in coloration between the two bulbs. One seems to be more yellow... I have not had any burn out, yet, and I keep them on all the time when lights are on.

Ed

Fireblade6

· #12 · Mar 2, 2002

Here's the deal

If the Halogen bulbs arent made from Sylvania, Phillips or a third party company like PIAA then its not Worth the TIME or MONEY to buy them. Pardon the pun but,"Everything else is just a light."

MDXtrous

· #13 · Mar 3, 2002

Not always true

Bigger company name does not mean the product is better. Just as an example, for those that are into handhelds, Compaq has one called the iPaq. Toshiba has one called the Genio. Both big names, but both are "develop and researched" and manufactured by a company called HTC in Taiwan. They just put their names on the machines and handle the servicing.

And you know what? The iPaq has had numerous problems. I know because I own one. I therefore don't believe the big names necessarily make the better products. A big name product may actually be made by the same exact company as a "Platinum Prices".

One more example, if you are out to get a mobile dvd player for the MDX, look at the different players. They all look the same. Regardless if they have the name Blaupunkt, Power Acoustik, Farenheit, Pyle, Lanzar, Audiovox. Most are all manufactured by a one or two companies (probably in China or in Taiwan.)

<a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5744><font color=blue>Silver 2002 MDX w/Navi</font></a> delivered Feb. 19th, 2002. Wood Steering Wheel, Wood Shift Knob, Painted Rear Deflector, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13964&perpage=15&pagenumber=1><font color=blue>HIDs with 5-way adjustable ballast (4250K - 10,000K)</font></a>, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6342><font color=blue>Platinum Prices Plasma bulbs Highs/Fogs</font></a>, Body Side Mouldings, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6341><font color=blue>Door Edge Guard</font></a>, Cargo Cover, Cargo Tray, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6338><font color=blue>Wheel Locks</font></a>, Mud Flaps, All-Season Floor Mats, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5744&perpage=15&pagenumber=6><font color=blue>Full Size Spare</font></a><BR><BR><a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5662&pagenumber=4><font color=blue>Video Install</font></a>: DVD player, TV Tuner, Navi Conversion to Take Video Input, Rear 7-inch Flip-Down Monitor, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5662&perpage=15&pagenumber=11><font color=blue>Backup Camera Triggered by Shifting to Reverse</font></a>, Auxiliary A/V inputs for PS2/XBox/camcorder, <a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8242><font color=blue>6 additional Steering Wheel Buttons to control TV Tuner/DVD Player</font></a>, Two 120-Volt Outlets in the Back of the Center Console, Video System Sound Interfaced to External CD-Changer Input<BR><BR><a href=http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5744&perpage=15&pagenumber=2><font color=blue>CCM FM Navigator Phone Kit for Nokia 8260</font></a> with Microphone Installed Behind Steering Wheel

phillyflyer

· #14 · Mar 3, 2002

PIAA vs Razo low beam comparison

Just installed one PIAA Super White 50W 9006 bulb on the side where a previously installed Razo low beam burned out. I had the opportunity to compare, side-by-side the difference. Brightness appears about the same. No comparison in color, though... The Razo is white , with a blueish HID look. The PIAA is definitely much yellower with the look of the stock bulbs.

For the $$$ (about $70 a set) the Razos give near-HID appearance, while I do not know why one would trade up to the PIAAs from stock. IMOHO< of course.

Ed

Rail

· #15 · Mar 3, 2002

One of my Razo BG604 bulbs just blew a month ago -- it lasted just over a year... I didn't think that was too bad.

Rail

AtlantaMDX

· #16 · Mar 3, 2002

Philly,

One of my low bean Razo's burned out this week as well. I think we installed ours at about the same time. I put my stock bulb back in for th time being. I'm anxious to see how long the remaining Razo lasts...

---AtlantaMDX

phillyflyer said:
9.5 months for my Razo low beams. One just died last nite. I was recommended to try the PIAA lows (9006) by a local shop, so I will try them next and report back as necessary. Same price as the Razos and available locally.

I'll admit that I expected the Razos to last longer than 9 months, but the look is nice. Let's hope the PIAAs look as white and last longer.

The PIAA yellow ion fogs installed in my MDX are still going strong, but I notice a difference in coloration between the two bulbs. One seems to be more yellow... I have not had any burn out, yet, and I keep them on all the time when lights are on.

Ed

simon

· #17 · Jun 29, 2002

My low beam Razo bulb burned out too!! Only lasted about 6 months....Ron can I get a refund or a new bulb??

ron

· #18 · Jan 31, 2003

Hello everyone..

Sorry, I haven't been here for a while now.. My Razo also went about a couple of months ago.. I just put the stock ones back on..
If I remember right Razo only has 30 days warranty..We didn't see any one blow that soon..

I can't give you a refund or a new bulb unless it is under warranty period. Sorry, not my call. Wish I can replace everyone's bulbs including mine..

I just got some Catz HID for mine.. They are OE manufacturers for Honda HID set up.. Hope they last a least 5 times as long.. but they are much brighter than the RAZO

I will give you guys a very good deal if you want a set of those..

Ron

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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