98 Legacy L, 137K. Recently had a satellite radio kit installed through my existing aftermarket cd player.

 

2 days later, one headlight goes. Five minutes after the first, the second goes.

 

Both only blew the low beams. Think it's just a coincidence that they went so close together or do I have an electrical problem on my hands?

 

Installed new bulbs and they are OK after one night of driving around.

Dependning on if they tied into the dimmer circuit, i'd say its probably just coincidence

Coincidence. The only way it could hasten the blowing of the low beams would be to apply more voltage to them thus resulting in more current thus resulting in more heat. It doesn't seem feasible from a satellite radio.

Satellite or UFO?

Close encounters of the low-beam kind?

What bulbs were you running? If you were running Silverstar bulbs or any other non normal bulb then it's just coincidence. The Silverstar bulbs are known for blowing out within hours of each other. I had it happen to me. I was almost stranded by it.

 

Keith

They were just stock sylvania bulbs. It's the first time I've had to replace them and I've had the car since 114K.

 

Although, the bulbs in my 1992 legacy, which I also have had since 114 have never needed replacement--and that's at 250. Go figure.

Not to worry My headlights went out within a day of each other with no work done to the electrical system. Remember your lights have the DRL feature so the burn time is pretty high vs the miles compared to a car without Daytime Running Lights

a MY98 has DRLs?

My

MY00 2.5RS doesn't?

I thought they came along in 01 0r 02?

 

How are liking the new sat system?

My Kenwood says on the face plate

"Sat ready", not sure what that means?

 

I just wish it had a front input for my zen "Jukebox"

like my SS does.

My 98 doesn't have DRL's.

 

The sat system is awesome, but it was pricey to get it all done.

 

I got a Samsung Nexus, which is a portable player but has to be docked to receive live content. The radio itself was only 70 bucks. But the car kit was also 70, and to have it installed so there's no wires showing anywhere, and to hardwire it to the radio (rather than using the built in FM transmitter) was another 70, then you add in subscription costs...

 

It's worth it though as I have a fairly long commute. I guess I could have just bought a sat ready deck for the car but I like being able to take the radio inside too.

The other side of halogens are low voltage. There has to be a minimum voltage or the bulbs will burn out prematurely. I think it's around 10.8v.