Headlights Frozen with LED bulbs? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

ADT_192 · 01-17-2019, 11:08 PM

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to know if anyone who switched to fog/low-beam LED bulbs, has had any troubles with headlights freezing during a snowstorm, or the bulbs not being able to melt ice on already frozen headlights.

Thanks!

Jhalko · 01-18-2019, 12:16 AM

That’s why I won’t change my headlight bulbs to led, I have multiple led lights for off-road and they freeze over in the snow so don’t do anything. The headlights with the h11 can get some ice build up as well but the heat helps.

ADT_192 · 01-19-2019, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhalko

That’s why I won’t change my headlight bulbs to led, I have multiple led lights for off-road and they freeze over in the snow so don’t do anything. The headlights with the h11 can get some ice build up as well but the heat helps.

Thanks for the comment! That's exactly what's keeping me away from changing to LEDs, thought that issue may have been solved by now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

unsub1 · 01-19-2019, 01:49 AM

Huh, I spent 5 days in Taos a couple weeks ago and experienced lots of sub-zero temps with no issues.

mustangr2 · 01-19-2019, 08:53 AM

Never had a problem with my led headlights or fog lights. Lived in northern Ohio for the last year and half and last winter was pretty nasty. We had quite a few minus degree days and had never had an issue.

Jhalko · 01-19-2019, 11:53 AM

To clarify, I have no issues in cold but if moisture drops they get covered and it will freeze to my rigid bars and cubes.

I think there is a reason rigid puts heaters in their Jeep led headlight replacements.

17KT4R · 01-19-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADT_192

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to know if anyone who switched to fog/low-beam LED bulbs, has had any troubles with headlights freezing during a snowstorm, or the bulbs not being able to melt ice on already frozen headlights.

Thanks!

I've just noticed this now that I changed my DRL's to the ZD LED kit ( I have the DD LED's in my low beams ) The halogen high beam, even glowing at the DRL mode was enough to keep the lens warm and melt snow or ice but not the case now, these things don't generate any heat within the lens assembly or barely any I guess so I get some build up occasionally. I've waxed the lens up so build up of ice or snow is less of a chance, about all you can do. Would have to deal with it I guess if they get completed encased (would not want to chip or scrape at it obviously).

Anyway - have left the stock halogens in the fog lamps as back up

ScoMey · 01-20-2019, 10:10 PM

When I switched my fog light bulbs to Phillips LED's... I noticed they no longer get warm enough on the outside to keep snow and ice at bay in snowy conditions.

Which of course are just the kind of conditions you want to use the fog lights in...

ADT_192 · 01-21-2019, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoMey

When I switched my fog light bulbs to Phillips LED's... I noticed they no longer get warm enough on the outside to keep snow and ice at bay in snowy conditions.

Which of course are just the kind of conditions you wan to use the fog lights in...

Did you switch to the Ultinons? (Specifications of the X-treme Ultinon LED car fog light bulb 12834UNIX2 | Philips or H11 Philips LED bulb | H16 Philips LED bulb | H8 Philips LED Fog bulb) I wonder since maybe an LED bulb running higher wattages would address that

mr.walleye · 01-21-2019, 03:44 AM

I literally installed morimoto 9005 led 2 stroke Saturday night after work (about midnight) drove home most of the way with them on and I have ice on the drivers side light cover tonight. we did have one hell of a storm Saturday night/sunday morning so ill keep an eye on this. I also drove here sunday with the high beams on most of the way, but it was only 12 degrees and that'll probably cause ice up on any lights.

ScoMey · 01-21-2019, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADT_192

Did you switch to the Ultinons? (Specifications of the X-treme Ultinon LED car fog light bulb 12834UNIX2 | Philips or H11 Philips LED bulb | H16 Philips LED bulb | H8 Philips LED Fog bulb) I wonder since maybe an LED bulb running higher wattages would address that

Mine are the 'regular' Phillips LED fog lights bulbs... which I've otherwise been very happy with in term of light output, beam pattern, etc.. But the fact that they don't produce much if any heat (on the lens side) does allow the buildup of ice and snow under those conditions. I considered upgrading my low-beams to LED's, but am holding off for this very reason - it's Minnesota, and it snows here once in a while.

campo · 01-22-2019, 12:05 AM

I looked into LED headlights, but I've pulled out of parking lots here with ice frozen to the front. I figure a blizzard is the most critical time you'd want to have working lights. Even if it froze over once it would be bad enough to not want to have that happen again.

Didn't even think about it until I'd read comments from others!

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