GC8 Aftermarket light problems?

sir_aspen_white · 02-11-2003, 02:24 AM

When I bought my '00 RS2.5, the previous owner warned me about putting aftermarket "HID-look" bulbs. I guess he melted or blew something a few weeks after installation. He and the dealer said it was a universal Impreza problem at that time, yet I can't seem to find people who had this problem when I searched the forums.

Does anybody know the exact nature on this issue? Has anyone found a solution? Does this problem effect the fog light bulbs as well?

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Keiho · 02-11-2003, 01:43 PM

Its probably because the previous owner threw in much higher wattage bulbs that melted the wiring harness or something. I see no problem why stock wattage bulbs would mess anything up.

Texas25RS · 02-11-2003, 02:55 PM

I melted a harness down with aftermarket bulbs... yup the design of the (Impreza headlights SUCK... they used like 18 gauge wire for the power wire... bad idea... I am going to upgrade my harness next weekend to remedy this problem.

HndaTch627 · 02-11-2003, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Texas25RS
I melted a harness down with aftermarket bulbs... yup the design of the (Impreza headlights SUCK... they used like 18 gauge wire for the power wire... bad idea... I am going to upgrade my harness next weekend to remedy this problem.

why is 18 guage wire a bad idea on a circuit that flows 1 or 2 amps normally?? it can more then effectively handle the load...it's when you double or triple the crrent flow that you beging to overheat the wires @ the load i.e.: the headlight socket.

Jeremy

sir_aspen_white · 02-11-2003, 06:04 PM

1 or 2 amps?

Aren't aftermarket HID's usually 5amps, and advertised as using only half of the amps compared to the normal bulb amperage? Then did anyone have problems with HID systems on a GC8?

HndaTch627 · 02-12-2003, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sir_aspen_white
1 or 2 amps?

Aren't aftermarket HID's usually 5amps, and advertised as using only half of the amps compared to the normal bulb amperage? Then did anyone have problems with HID systems on a GC8?

what you need to know is if the 5 amps is peak or sustained draw, facotry headlights with peak draw 10 amps initally and as the bulb heats the resistance increases incredibly and therefore the amperage decreases.

02-11-2003, 02:24 AM	#1
sir_aspen_white Scooby Newbie Member#: 32358 Join Date: Jan 2003 Vehicle: 2000 2.5 RS "Stormtrooper"	GC8 Aftermarket light problems? When I bought my '00 RS2.5, the previous owner warned me about putting aftermarket "HID-look" bulbs. I guess he melted or blew something a few weeks after installation. He and the dealer said it was a universal Impreza problem at that time, yet I can't seem to find people who had this problem when I searched the forums. Does anybody know the exact nature on this issue? Has anyone found a solution? Does this problem effect the fog light bulbs as well? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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02-11-2003, 01:43 PM	#2
Keiho Sea to Sky - OWNED Moderator Member#: 610 Join Date: Dec 1999 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Vehicle: 2003 Lexus IS300 Graphite Gray Pearl	Its probably because the previous owner threw in much higher wattage bulbs that melted the wiring harness or something. I see no problem why stock wattage bulbs would mess anything up.

02-11-2003, 02:55 PM	#3
Texas25RS Scooby Guru Member#: 3148 Join Date: Dec 2000 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: DFW, TX Vehicle: 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 Crystal White Pearl Mica	I melted a harness down with aftermarket bulbs... yup the design of the (Impreza headlights SUCK... they used like 18 gauge wire for the power wire... bad idea... I am going to upgrade my harness next weekend to remedy this problem.

02-11-2003, 06:04 PM	#5
sir_aspen_white Scooby Newbie Member#: 32358 Join Date: Jan 2003 Vehicle: 2000 2.5 RS "Stormtrooper"	1 or 2 amps? Aren't aftermarket HID's usually 5amps, and advertised as using only half of the amps compared to the normal bulb amperage? Then did anyone have problems with HID systems on a GC8?