New HID bulbs and now a weird light pattern?

[Gassiper]

So the morimoto bulbs are great. Because of the headlight housing the bulb can only go in one way and that how it’s designed. But now I get these weird glares above the normal light pattern. In the picture I’m about 10 feet from my garage so you can see 4 extra spots and they aren’t all that big. But at night these 4 spots become 2 and they’re huge! Typically shining up into the trees when going down a 2 lane. But if I’m on the interstate and pass a big truck they are right in the side Morris blinding the driver. I’ve double checked and triple checked that they are seated the right way and they are. Anyone else had a similar issue?

 

[Spike555]

They are not designed to work in the halogen bulb housing. Bottom line. That is the problem.
They are shining through parts of the reflector because they are not directing the light pattern in the correct directions.

I have LED bulbs that are designed to work in the halogen housing and they shine perfectly.

 

[Gassiper]

You’ve got LEDs in a projector housing?

 

[PADDO]

Search the term “squirrel finders” - the increased light intensity of your HIDs are highlighting the DOT sign illumination cutouts in the OE halogen projectors shrouds. Those four spots were always there, you just couldn’t really see them with halogen bulbs.
Having run xenon depot hids in LX projectors for a number of years (with squirrel finders) for better than stock illumination imo, it’s well worth upgrading to morimoto or other purpose built HID projectors.

 

[DirtDawg]

In the FAQ:

LX Headlight Upgrade Database

 

[planomateo]

Absolutely normal, it was always there, you just didn't notice it.

 

[Mark WV]

I had the same issue - I finally upgraded the projectors in my LX to the Morimoto Mini H-i projectors and couldn't be happier with the results
See available bracket options and instructions at this link - LX470 HID RETROFIT PROJECTOR BRACKET

 

[Spike555]

You’ve got LEDs in a projector housing?

Yes. My wifes van has projector headlights. I have LED's in there.
My Cruiser does not have projector headlights, I have LED's in there too.

 

[SmoothLC]

What'cha runnin' (brand) @Spike555?

How do you like them?

 

[Spike555]

What'cha runnin' (brand) @Spike555?

How do you like them?

OPT7 - LED & HID Lighting for Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles

I LOVE them. I have been running these for 5yrs now, 2yrs in my Cruiser for lo, hi and fog. 3yrs in my Discovery.
My wifes van for 3yrs. I gave them as Christmas gifts to my parents too. Old people love them because they can actually see in the dark, rain and snow.
The light pattern is correct, cut's through rain, snow, fog, sleet...nice white and bright without blinding anyone. I do not get flashed by others.
Plug and play. Take out the old bulb, install LED bulb, plug in capacitor thingy to factory harness, done.
Perfect for my wifes van because you have to remove half the front to change a bulb.

 

[Gassiper]

That’s crazy you’re getting an LED to work in a projector. I put some in my ecodiesel Ram a few months ago and couldn’t even tell I had my lights turned on. A local guy that’s a Morimoto developer and preferred installer said that at this point no one makes an LED that’ll work in a projector. He said Morimoto was working on it but wasn’t in a hurry. But if you found some that work that’s awesome!

 

[Spike555]

From the research I've done not all LED bulbs are the same. Lower quality ones won't work.
There may be other brands that are high quality, but I found some that work so I've stuck with them.

 

[nissanh]

The LC headlights are very bright, so... my question is why you want LED lights in there?

For a light to work properly in its reflector housing, the filament should mount right at the focal point.

 

[bamabrock]

That’s crazy you’re getting an LED to work in a projector. I put some in my ecodiesel Ram a few months ago and couldn’t even tell I had my lights turned on. A local guy that’s a Morimoto developer and preferred installer said that at this point no one makes an LED that’ll work in a projector. He said Morimoto was working on it but wasn’t in a hurry. But if you found some that work that’s awesome!

Your local guy is correct. Plug in LED lights in halogen housings are only throwing a lot of light in front of the vehicle and not down the road like you need for headlights. There just okay for fog lights, but I wouldn't want them driving down a pitch black road at highway speeds.

There is no comparision with a proper HID projector and quality HID kit like the morimoto or OEM components. I tried the very brand posted earlier in this thread in my LX to measure against a morimoto H1 HID kit and it wasn't close. I had similar results in my old 2000 LC as well. If you've already installed the morimoto HID kit, upgrade the projectors for a significantly better output. I've installed the morimoto minH1 projectors in four vehicles.

Upgrading your halogen bulbs is far better than led bulbs if you do not want to install HID. I run upgraded halogen in my high beams.
Ryan's guide to: Halogen bulbs - HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum

 

[Spike555]

Your local guy is correct. Plug in LED lights in halogen housings are only throwing a lot of light in front of the vehicle and not down the road like you need for headlights. There just okay for fog lights, but I wouldn't want them driving down a pitch black road at highway speeds.

There is no comparision with a proper HID projector and quality HID kit like the morimoto or OEM components. I tried the very brand posted earlier in this thread in my LX to measure against a morimoto H1 HID kit and it wasn't close. I had similar results in my old 2000 LC as well. If you've already installed the morimoto HID kit, upgrade the projectors for a significantly better output. I've installed the morimoto minH1 projectors in four vehicles.

Upgrading your halogen bulbs is far better than led bulbs if you do not want to install HID. I run upgraded halogen in my high beams.
Ryan's guide to: Halogen bulbs - HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum

This is NOT true, with a good quality and properly designed LED headlight you not only get the correct light pattern you also get brighter light for better visibility.
The OPT-7's are designed to be used in halogen housing.

 

[Spike555]

The LC headlights are very bright, so... my question is why you want LED lights in there?

For a light to work properly in its reflector housing, the filament should mount right at the focal point.

Properly designed LED's work perfectly in a halogen housing.

 

[bamabrock]

This is NOT true, with a good quality and properly designed LED headlight you not only get the correct light pattern you also get brighter light for better visibility.
The OPT-7's are designed to be used in halogen housing.

Not true? Based on what? It throwing a bunch of light in front of your vehicle? "whiter" isn't brighter.

Show output pattern against a wall at 25 yards. I've attached a pic of HID projector with HID bulbs, all from morimoto.

I know people get defensive about mods they make, but you're simply repeating marketing materials from the seller and passing limited experience as advice. I've been down that route and a proper HID setup blows away any led bulb stuck in a halogen light, whether the seller claims it is "designed" for a halogen housing or not.

 

[Spike555]

I have no idea why you're coming at me, I was asked a question, I replied. You don't have to like it. And I don't have to prove anything to anyone, that includes you.

 

[bamabrock]

I have no idea why you're coming at me, I was asked a question, I replied. You don't have to like it. And I don't have to prove anything to anyone, that includes you.

No one is coming at you. You quoted me giving him the correct advice; the same advice multiple others gave who have been down this path.

 

[Gassiper]

Guess it all comes down to personal opinion. LEDs in a projector didn’t work for me but I guess it does for some.