S Trim Headlights Not Bright

[ucinn]

We replaced our halogens on the Sorento with LED's and the difference was amazing. The heat was lower too with the fans on the lights. Only thing is you will hear the noise of the fans after turning off your car and the headlights stay on.

 

[Kevin78]

Just have to be careful with the LED bulb housing because they're notorious for putting out heat, hence why most come with heat shields or heat dissipating elements. Also, another complaint with LED bulbs is during winter driving. The lights don't warm up thus not heating the headlight lens. Driving snow can build up on the lens and causes some dimming of the light.

Kevin

 

[Skippy1180]

Here are some photos I took today.

 

[mdtony]

Color looks perfect... thank you for uploading the pics of the back of the headlight too... very helpful!

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[drizzt]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HCZ4VCH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! Also ordered the LED bulbs. My in-laws are visiting in May and I will be doing lots of long distance trips. Good visibility and less eye strain of LED bulbs during long trips will be just what I needed!

 

[jarova]

Took the time this morning to swap in the new bulbs before our work day started. Word of advice: If you have big hands, be patient! My driver's side stock bulb was downright stubborn. Had to use a pair of groove joint pliers to get it to release. I'm ecstatic with the finished product. Now time to rebadge and tint the front windows.

Left is new LED bulb. Right is stock bulb.

New LED up close. Should have wiped pollen off first. Hee hee.

Finished product!

 

[Skippy1180]

Took the time this morning to swap in the new bulbs before our work day started. Word of advice: If you have big hands, be patient! My driver's side stock bulb was downright stubborn. Had to use a pair of groove joint pliers to get it to release. I'm ecstatic with the finished product. Now time to rebadge and tint the front windows.

Left is new LED bulb. Right is stock bulb.

New LED up close. Should have wiped pollen off first. Hee hee.

Finished product!

When rebadging the front. I used a plastic pry tool and removed the black ring holding the Kia badge. It’s secured by 4 tabs center top bottom and sides. Once off then I cut the silver tabs from the ki badge on the inside and it came off no issues. The new one fit perfectly and then the rings snaps back in.

The rear was more work I heated w heat gun used dental floss to left and pulled off.

 

[jarova]

When rebadging the front. I used a plastic pry tool and removed the black ring holding the Kia badge. It’s secured by 4 tabs center top bottom and sides. Once off then I cut the silver tabs from the ki badge on the inside and it came off no issues. The new one fit perfectly and then the rings snaps back in.

The rear was more work I heated w heat gun used dental floss to left and pulled off.

Thanks Skippy1180! I saw that tip in a video too. Will do!

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[westcoastTelly]

When rebadging the front. I used a plastic pry tool and removed the black ring holding the Kia badge. It’s secured by 4 tabs center top bottom and sides. Once off then I cut the silver tabs from the ki badge on the inside and it came off no issues. The new one fit perfectly and then the rings snaps back in.

The rear was more work I heated w heat gun used dental floss to left and pulled off.

looks great , big difference

 

[JDoggery]

The side by side can really see the difference. Thanks for posting some good pics.

What percentage window tint are you considering?

Took the time this morning to swap in the new bulbs before our work day started. Word of advice: If you have big hands, be patient! My driver's side stock bulb was downright stubborn. Had to use a pair of groove joint pliers to get it to release. I'm ecstatic with the finished product. Now time to rebadge and tint the front windows.

 

[bmonaco]

Just ordered mine! Cant wait to install them, looks great from the pictures.

 

[MELISSAB]

We put these in last night, one worked the other didn't. There is a plastic ring around the bulb that fits in the light housing to hold it in place. The ring was loose and ultimately just popped off. It looks like it was held in place with white glue. We could get it installed but since it wasn't a firm connection that light just sort of leaned inside the lens. We are waiting until Sealight opens to see if they will send just one replacement or if we need to process the return through Amazon with the whole package. The bulbs have really good ratings, so it's likely a one-off. Just to be sure, check to make sure that ring/flange part doesn't wiggle at all before you try putting the bulbs in, otherwise you'll be fighting it unnecessarily. The one with the loose ring was really hard to install, the other one went in pretty simply. The hardest part was getting the plug end to fit inside with the bulb due to the fan taking up extra space. The working light looks so much better with the running lights than the halogen, white with white instead of white with yellowish. We couldn't really tell if the led was a lot brighter with the one light not working correctly.

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[drizzt]

We put these in last night, one worked the other didn't. There is a plastic ring around the bulb that fits in the light housing to hold it in place. The ring was loose and ultimately just popped off. It looks like it was held in place with white glue. We could get it installed but since it wasn't a firm connection that light just sort of leaned inside the lens. We are waiting until Sealight opens to see if they will send just one replacement or if we need to process the return through Amazon with the whole package. The bulbs have really good ratings, so it's likely a one-off. Just to be sure, check to make sure that ring/flange part doesn't wiggle at all before you try putting the bulbs in, otherwise you'll be fighting it unnecessarily. The one with the loose ring was really hard to install, the other one went in pretty simply. The hardest part was getting the plug end to fit inside with the bulb due to the fan taking up extra space. The working light looks so much better with the running lights than the halogen, white with white instead of white with yellowish. We couldn't really tell if the led was a lot brighter with the one light not working correctly.

I see this LED bulb outputs 7600 lumens. Not sure how that compares to the original halogen headlight or the LED that comes with the SX model. I have purchased Hikari LED lightbulbs for the 2005 Sienna that I traded in and that brand outputs 9600 lumens. I think the lightbulb assembly was recessed quite far enough in Telluride to be able to accomodate this HIKARI LED Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit-9005(HB3), 2019 New Gen of HIKARI, Adjustable Beam, 9600lm 6K Cool White,2 Yr Warranty.

EDIT: Also keep in mind that Hikari costs half of the 7600 lumen Sealight bulb.

 

[drizzt]

Just took my new headlight out for a drive last night and I'm sorely disappointed. Low beam was not bright at all. I'm tempted to return the Sealight bulb everyone is buying and order the Hikari bulb with 9600 lumens instead. What are your thoughts?

EDIT: Just initiated return process for Sealight bulb and ordered Hikari bulb. I will try Hikari bulb and let you know 1) does it fit 2) is it better. Even if Hikari is same brightness as Sealight it's half the price at $36.99 instead of $69.99.

 

[bmonaco]

Just took my new headlight out for a drive last night and I'm sorely disappointed. Low beam was not bright at all. I'm tempted to return the Sealight bulb everyone is buying and order the Hikari bulb with 9600 lumens instead. What are your thoughts?

EDIT: Just initiated return process for Sealight bulb and ordered Hikari bulb. I will try Hikari bulb and let you know 1) does it fit 2) is it better. Even if Hikari is same brightness as Sealight it's half the price at $36.99 instead of $69.99.

Intersting, please share once you’ve tried the Hikari’s. My Sealights seem as bright as stock, unless my eyes are playing tricks on me. Half tempted to throw the stock bulbs back in to get a real-life comparison. I will share the results if I do.

 

[Michi-Tell]

It's funny that you bring up the Hikari, drizzt, b/c I just received a set of them today which I bought for our older Odyssey. I can say that the packaging and manual are really nice with Hikari. However, I had been in contact with the rep. at Hikari who answers questions for people on Amazon (comments and questions section) and he said that he would recomment their "ultra" bulbs for the Telluride, not the cheaper set: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B077B7GJ5J/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A20DLZVH04R37U&psc=1
It's a more powerful beam, it has a fan with ball bearings for long life and quieter operation, and it's also a very compact design in back which should fit anywhere incl. the Telluride. Hikari periodically puts their products on "Lightning Deals" (on Amazon) and the like so I'm going to wait for a nice discount before picking up a set. No hurry for me, esp. since I don't actually own a Telluride yet. But that's the bulb that I want for my "S" once I take delivery. I'll also be in the market for a good quality set of aftermarket fog lamps to fit down under.

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[drizzt]

It's funny that you bring up the Hikari, drizzt, b/c I just received a set of them today which I bought for our older Odyssey. I can say that the packaging and manual are really nice with Hikari. However, I had been in contact with the rep. at Hikari who answers questions for people on Amazon (comments and questions section) and he said that he would recomment their "ultra" bulbs for the Telluride, not the cheaper set: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B077B7GJ5J/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A20DLZVH04R37U&psc=1
It's a more powerful beam, it has a fan with ball bearings for long life and quieter operation, and it's also a very compact design in back which should fit anywhere incl. the Telluride. Hikari periodically puts their products on "Lightning Deals" (on Amazon) and the like so I'm going to wait for a nice discount before picking up a set. No hurry for me, esp. since I don't actually own a Telluride yet. But that's the bulb that I want for my "S" once I take delivery. I'll also be in the market for a good quality set of aftermarket fog lamps to fit down under.

Yes, I also saw the 12000 lumen Hikari and was debating if I should get that instead. The reason I went with the cheaper 9000 lumen one was because I had installed the same one on my old 2005 Sienna and I felt the brightness was adequate. So I'm sure 12000 lumen will be even better!
EDIT: Grammar

 

[JoshuaR]

I have a EX and I replaced the stock blubs with Sealight 9005 HB3 LED blubs ($69.99 on Amazon). They are plug and play and fit in the stocking housing with no issues. Made a big difference and match the daytime running LED lights.

Was hoping you could help, when I click your link it directs me to a different product now. Which of these 2 are the ones you bought? Thanks!

*edit* after looking closer I now realize the bottom one is different and comes with a 2nd pair of different size bulbs. So I am assuming the 1st set is what I need...

 

[Gunner6903]

The Sealight's claim to be 7600 lumens. Drizzt said that he was disappointed in the brightness but I did a quick google search and it appears that regular halogen 9005 bulbs at 65w give off around 1700 lumens. Am I missing something? Are the Sealight's not hitting their claims? Are Drizzt's standards too high? lol

 

[JoshuaR]

I installed my Sealights yesterday and went for a drive last night, and was happy with the visibility. I’m not going to say I could see way more, but I could see about the same, probably a tad better.