Safe aftermarket LED headlight bulb info, finds and discussion

[Dirt]

Agreed, it was odd but the techmax would not fit on the passenger side. I just trimmed the housing a bit and the dust cap covers it up so you cant tell. The very end of the bulb heat sink, where the fan is, would hit the side of the housing and would not let me set it in flush enough to get it to turn into place.

 

[Hypergram]

All 2013+ Fiesta/ST headlights are all the same in the US, I do find it a little strange you had to snip out a bit for the TechMax, I had to do this for another set I used as part of my testing before the TechMax and I haven't heard of anyone else having probs with it actually hitting the rear cover opening wall... so who knows, maybe for the final year they had slightly revised headlights...

And I feel stupid now, of course the H1 high beam doesn't have a glare cap, but I have an idea, humor me and follow along... So I just installed these new higher power "60w" Aukee (the original recommended ones are "50w") since they were on sale for only $25 even but now they aren't even available on Amazon in H1 any longer... That's too bad as these are fantastic, now the next step up in Aukee H1 is a full $60 for the "110w" ones... Anyway, theses "60w" have a nice solid plastic mounting ring that twists and locks into place on the bulb, there is no twisting adjustment at all. There are also 2 little bumps on the ring to sit on the housing nice and straight and was able to get the clip on OK, once I realized how they go back in, hehe... but with how the bulb goes on, it twists and locks into place and the stalk sits at about 45 degrees and works great... so for those wondering, LED H1's for high beam DO sit at a 45 degree angle for best results... even my original cheap crappy ones I can see sit in at that angle too, at the time I though they were wrong!

So after some adjustments all it does is seem to move the "dark circle" around. My guess is there's some issue with the housing. But why?
Edit: I took out the black plastic clip that holds The bulb in place, and put the light back in its place. That seemed to fix it for whatever reason…

 

[1eecom]

Just installed the CougarX today. Seem pretty bright compared to the factory bulbs. They do appear to have specific beams on the road ahead. Question is was there a specific angle I should have tried to install them at? 45 or 90 or level? I’m not sure it’s even possible but not sure if I should have tried different ways. Or is any angle going to give the same light beam? I did install the factory dust cover, but ordered the dome ones tonight. I may remove the factory one tomorrow so I don’t stop the fans from moving. The factory cover may be touching the backs of the bulbs.

 

[danbfree]

Just installed the CougarX today. Seem pretty bright compared to the factory bulbs. They do appear to have specific beams on the road ahead. Question is was there a specific angle I should have tried to install them at? 45 or 90 or level? I’m not sure it’s even possible but not sure if I should have tried different ways. Or is any angle going to give the same light beam? I did install the factory dust cover, but ordered the dome ones tonight. I may remove the factory one tomorrow so I don’t stop the fans from moving. The factory cover may be touching the backs of the bulbs.

For low beams the stalk should be vertical and the chips on the sides at the 3/9 position... And not sure if you have heard from me yet, I keep the back covers on the high beams since there is tons of clearance and I rarely use them for much at a time but I do simply leave the rear covers off the (edit) *low* beams and never had an issue with water, I like to have all the air flow and cooling possible and like leaving the fairly large Katana and warm running modules on the outside tucked down low.

 

[1eecom]

For low beams the stalk should be vertical and the chips on the sides at the 3/9 position... And not sure if you have heard from me yet, I keep the back covers on the high beams since there is tons of clearance and I rarely use them for much at a time but I do simply leave the rear covers off the high beams and never had an issue with water, I like to have all the air flow and cooling possible and like leaving the fairly large Katana and warm running modules on the outside tucked down low.

I’ll check position of LEDs tomorrow. My son was able to get them on fairly easy after I fumbled for a few minutes. Copy you are not running dust covers on your low beams. Thanks for the data!

 

[danbfree]

I’ll check position of LEDs tomorrow. My son was able to get them on fairly easy after I fumbled for a few minutes. Copy you are not running dust covers on your low beams. Thanks for the data!

Sorry, I put high beams again further in there, but I meant was I leave the covers off the low beams... and indeed, with those heatsinks it can be a little tricky, but if you can tilt them around so that they can mount properly you will be good. Typically the cord coming off the bulb will be at a 4 o'clock position to start seating then you turn clockwise and should lock in with the cord coming out at the 6 o'clock position, it can be a little tricky on the passenger side as it's the same 4 to 6 position on each side.

 

[1eecom]

Sorry, I put high beams again further in there, but I meant was I leave the covers off the low beams... and indeed, with those heatsinks it can be a little tricky, but if you can tilt them around so that they can mount properly you will be good. Typically the cord coming off the bulb will be at a 4 o'clock position to start seating then you turn clockwise and should lock in with the cord coming out at the 6 o'clock position, it can be a little tricky on the passenger side as it's the same 4 to 6 position on each side.

Alright. Went out and removed headlight and changed angle of the bulbs to the proper angle. Much better light out the front and got rid of the streaks I was seeing. Much easier to do with who assembly on a workbench.
thanks for the help.

 

[danbfree]

Alright. Went out and removed headlight and changed angle of the bulbs to the proper angle. Much better light out the front and got rid of the streaks I was seeing. Much easier to do with who assembly on a workbench.
thanks for the help.

Oh yeah, it's much easier to remove the headlights then fight with the bulbs while the headlights are mounted... anyway, glad to hear that worked out and would love to see a wall Pic of your output with the Cougar!

 

[DBLE]

So to be clear, because when I searched I read conflicting replies, the OEM dust covers do or don’t need to be trimmed to fit the TechMaxes? What about these new Cougar LEDs? Will the OEM dust covers work with them without needing to be trimmed? I know some run without any covers, but I’d like to retain mine. I have a 2015.

 

[averyislost]

So to be clear, because when I searched I read conflicting replies, the OEM dust covers do or don’t need to be trimmed to fit the TechMaxes? What about these new Cougar LEDs? Will the OEM dust covers work with them without needing to be trimmed? I know some run without any covers, but I’d like to retain mine. I have a 2015.

I have the stock covers over the TechMax's. They don't fit over them perfectly but they do relatively fit without modification. Have not had any issues with cooling the bulbs but time will tell. I cannot confirm the Cougars but I imagine if they are close to the same size in the rear they may fit

 

[danbfree]

So to be clear, because when I searched I read conflicting replies, the OEM dust covers do or don’t need to be trimmed to fit the TechMaxes? What about these new Cougar LEDs? Will the OEM dust covers work with them without needing to be trimmed? I know some run without any covers, but I’d like to retain mine. I have a 2015.

I say just get the domed rear covers. It's a question that keeps getting asked over and over again, some people can force the stock ones on "good enough" with TechMax but for $8 it's always better to just get the right thing if perfect coverage is important to you.

 

[Jkingtana]

So I bought the high beams suggested with the bulb holders. I read the instructions but I can't get the damn thing on... Can someone help me plz

 

[Hypergram]

So I bought the high beams suggested with the bulb holders. I read the instructions but I can't get the damn thing on... Can someone help me plz

Was a pain for me too. Check out these threads: https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/safe-led-headlight-finds-and-discussion.18114/page-32

https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/help-with-high-beam-install.21463/

 

[Jkingtana]

Thank you. I searched and actually found that. My issue is the holder itself...how does that go on...it can't clip to anything from what I can tell. Does it slide into the lower triangular tabs?

 

[Hypergram]

So the black plastic adaptor thing slides on these "rails" inside the lamp itself on the little slots on each side of the adaptor.

 

[Jkingtana]

Ok thanks. That's what I was afraid of. The holder only slides on so far... Not enough.

 

[EnthusiaST]

Are these the proper bulbs for low beams? Also, which are the recommended fog lights? Are there any yellow fogs that are preferred? https://www.amazon.com/TECHMAX-Head...ed+h11&qid=1579864004&sprefix=techmax+&sr=8-3


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[firestang70]

Installed the Cougars tonight, marked improvement. Appreciate the ground work on this but one question. The domed cover for foglights (got the Tech max as well for fogs) what size? 65,83,85mm?? Thanks!

 

[danbfree]

Ok thanks. That's what I was afraid of. The holder only slides on so far... Not enough.

It is a total PIA, you pretty much HAVE to pull your headlights and hold them in your arm to hold them at the right angle to get in there good... The best way is to take off the ring from the H1 bulb and then clip just that ring in first, that should be much easier... then take the ring-less bulb and carefully put into place and twist. Depending on the exact model of H1, it may spin freely or lock when twisted, if they lock with the stalk at a 2/8 o'clock position, then you have them right, if they don't lock when twisted, try to twist them so that the LED bulb stalk is at that 2/8 position, NOT reversed for each side, same 2/8 position on both sides... hope this helps and makes sense!

 

[danbfree]

Installed the Cougars tonight, marked improvement. Appreciate the ground work on this but one question. The domed cover for foglights (got the Tech max as well for fogs) what size? 65,83,85mm?? Thanks!

Homie, fogs bulbs seal right on the back of the fog housing itself, there is no open rear... you can put as huge of a heat sink H11 as you want there, there is zero fitment issue or open back to worry about at all!