*Warning* Do NOT install Halo's yet

[SneaKe]

***WARNING WARNING WARNING***Do NOT perform this mod YET! Halo's MELTED inside my headlamps and caused a fire contained within. I will find out why, and make changes to this install, but until then, DO NOT INSTALL***WARNING WARNING WARNING***

I posted the above message on top, bottom and as a response to my DIY halo install thread located in the DIY section.

So here's what happened. I'm driving down I-78, heading home an hour ago after watching the Red Wings once again put down the Penguins, and I notice that my lights on the road aren't brighter than the car next to me. The road was wet, it is very humid and a little foggy, so I figured it wasn't anything to worry about.

After a few more miles, I'm starting to worry, so I flash my lights on and off, and saw little difference. I pull over on the hwy, get out, walk around and to my horror, I see both my headlamps completely filled with thick white smoke!

The halo's I mounted inside my fog lights melted and lit on FIRE!

When I ordered them, I was concerned about mounting them inside the fog, close to the bulb for this reason and I sent them diagrams and sizing info so the could be mounted far enough away that this wouldn't be an issue. They sent me halos (2nd set cause the first didn't fit at all) that could only be mounted close to the fog bulb. So I mounted them, assuming that if they already knew that a ring the size they sent me could only be mounted against the back-wall of the fog, around the fog light, then the rings must be able to withstand the heat from H1 bulbs. WRONG

Now I've had them for a couple weeks now and have had no problems. The reason for this is because until tonight, I haven't turned my fogs on because they take away from the look of the halos. Once the fog's heated up, the halos completely melted.

My lamps are now toasted from the inside. I won't know the extent of the damage until tomorrow when I can get in there, but there was fire, and I can see black on the chrome facade. Since that part is plastic, I imagine that they are ruined. The halos dripped as they burned, and there is burnt plastic all around my fogs, which is probably now permanently attached.

Anyone who is about to attempt this install, please wait until I get answers from Umnitza tomorrow.

[audtatious]

Dude, fawking sux. As I stated in the other thread, keep us updated.

[G_whizz]

HOLY $%*@#!!!!!

I'm glad your ok and your car!

Please let us know!

Really sorry to hear what happened I know you put alot of time into it.

[Jacko3]

sneake:

Thanks for the info! i am sorry to hear about this.

[zozoka1212]

NOOOOOOO

Sh_t F_ck sh_t

Sorry to hear that bro. I hope everything turns out good.

Keep us posted.

zozo

[TeflonG35]

Sorry to hear that. Your heart had to sink...

[rn79870]

Was that the first time they had been on for a long time? I'm just wondering how you narrowed it down to the fog lights causing the problem?

[SneaKe]

In the 06, the lower light is actually a fog light, not a low beam (refresher course, sorry). I installed 1 of the halos in each fog, against the back wall, surrounding the h1 bulb of the fog. When the fogs were on, you couldn't see the halos, the two lights simply blended together. Because of this I haven't had the fogs turned on at all.

Last night was a dark, foggy wet night and I decided that any extra light on the roads could help. So I turned them on.

Its possible that something else caused this, but since it happened in both headlamps, and neither of the halos in my turn-signals were effected, I can safely say that the fog lights were the issue that caused my entire Sunday to suck.

I'll be in the garage all day. I have the driver-side lamp in the oven as I type. From what I can see through the 'naturally smoked' headlamps, the chrome facade of the lamp did melt in spots.

It would be greatly appreciated if while I tend to the wounded, someone with extra time could search the web and see if there is anyway to purchase new headlamp internal chrome facade pieces.

The picture below shows how they USE to look. On the left is the chrome facade back. I'm hoping that I can get a set of those separate, rather than new headlamps. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

OMG!!!!!!

I am so sorry that the halos caused you all this trouble!

I know you can get them on ebay for about 100 bux for the sedan!

Well they are 5 times that for the coupe 06+.... Sorry!

here is the link!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

Keep us posted!

DJ

[SneaKe]

Everyone loves to see carnage, so here's a sneak peak. So far, the damage is bad, but I feared worse. Here are the highlights from the Diver-Side Lamp:

Yeah, that's gonna leave a mark

You can see that part of the chrome insert did indeed melt.



That's a inside view of what the melted halo left inside my fog light bulb housing where my PIAA's use to live.

and that's whats left of my PIAAs. I have a feeling that they're not gonna pull through from this one.

Another nice view of my new 'smoked headlamps'.

Now I'm on to the passenger side. Lets hope the worst is over...

[snwbrdr435]

Sneake that sucks im guessing your waiting till monday to contact the company that you bought them from.

Marshmallows anyone

[SneaKe]

No, I'm waiting until I know the true extent of the damage.

I have a sick feeling that they are going to be like most companies, and simply ignore me. But I truly hope that this isn't the case, as they seemed intent on customer satisfaction. But when most companies are confronted with damage cause by a product, they tend to act the same.

I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to approach this with them. Fist off, they did and still do not have a product ready for the 06, yet they advertise that they do. They tried to make this right, but in the end...

I basically have been doing half of their job for them. Not only did I have to send them detailed diagrams and sizes for possible applications in the 06, but I'm the tester as well. I felt previously as if I should have been given a full refund for my work, but decided to leave it alone.

Now I have to find out what exactly has to be replaced, and speak with them and see how willing they are to do the right thing and make me whole again. If they do, I'll advertise the heck out of their product line, once its finished. I forgive mistakes, as long as they are fixed properly.

[audtatious]

Since you went over every detail and part that you are/would be using and they sent you what they stated "will work" then they should be responsible for the damages. If you had not run into this problem then they would have stood to make some sales based off your efforts, since their product in this application failed and caused damage then they should step up to the plate to make it right.

[SneaKe]

Since you went over every detail and part that you are/would be using and they sent you what they stated "will work" then they should be responsible for the damages. If you had not run into this problem then they would have stood to make some sales based off your efforts, since their product in this application failed and caused damage then they should step up to the plate to make it right.

Exactly. They have a great opportunity here to do the right thing. I'm drafting the email now and including some images.

[rn79870]

Are the PIAAs hot enough to have melted the Halos? If that were the case, you would think that the PIAAs would have caused problems with the other material near them. Do you think the Halos were defective?

One thing that is in your favor, you have the installation documented step by step with pics. They are going to have a hard time saying you did something wrong with the installation.

[SneaKe]

I think any bulb that close to plastic that has a low melting point would have done this. I sent them some pics and my email with my phone number. Ball is in their court. I'm going back out to the garage to cry.

[TeflonG35]

Good luck.

[SneaKe]

Slightly used halo kit for sale! Give your headlamps that 'smoked' look that all the kids are craving! Place your bids now, this item is hot.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Its so hot its Melting

DJ

[rn79870]

Slightly used halo kit for sale! Give your headlamps that 'smoked' look that all the kids are craving! Place your bids now, this item is hot.

Can you drive your car now or are you out of luck until you get replacement lights?

[SneaKe]

I'm good to drive. Fortunately most damage was cosmetic. Though I wont be using my fogs anytime soon, as the stem cover is still filled with 'material' left over from the incident. I just have to deal with having headlamps that look like $h1t until (if) Umnitza fixes this for me.

I'm a sad panda.

[rn79870]

I just looked all over their site and they don't mention any problems with for lights, etc. In fact, theonly warning is for DRLs. Google them, there are some other comments on other forums a few years backabout them.

[ArizonaG35]

Damn Drew, that's a fuggin shame!

I feel bad for ya man... I hope the company that distributed them to you does the right thing and owns up to the problem. The guys are right that you have plenty of documentation as your original post reveals installation. As memory serves me, didn't you choose to put the halo in the fog light position instead of the upper light postion because of fitting issues? Correct me if I'm wrong... I hope this wasnt the issue and I mostly just hope that they don't pull the wrong card and try to blame you. Keep us posted and sorry again about the hassle... glad you're okay and i'm sure this will work out one way or another.

Dave

[SneaKe]

didn't you choose to put the halo in the fog light position instead of the upper light postion because of fitting issues? Correct me if I'm wrong...Dave

Actually, Umnitza 'designed' (loose term) them to fit around the projection, and around the fog. I put the one intended for the projection into the turn signal. So no issue there.

I got a pre-responce back: -message removed-

I told them:-message removed-

I'm sure I'll get an answer tomorrow.


Modified by SneaKe at 9:49 AM 6/4/2008

[ArizonaG35]

Well stated Drew... you were concise, to the point and respectful. If this company has any belief in their product then they should do the right thing. Continue to be diplomatic with your plight and i'm sure they will respect you with the same courtesy.

I wouldn't pull off the gloves yet... you've got a good dialogue going with them and it's a good sign that they responded to you on a Sunday, that means that their dedicated.

Props to you for giving them the opportunity to right the situation and best wishes!

Dave

[rn79870]

Good luck. We're pulling for you.

[SneaKe]

Thanks guys! I'm trying to be the nice guy on this one.

[Beancooker]

Bro, that sucks ballz.

If you want a set of Headlamps, housings and all, hit me up. They're not projectors, but they are Xenon. I'll let them go for $100. + shipping.

[SneaKe]

Bro, that sucks ballz.

If you want a set of Headlamps, housings and all, hit me up. They're not projectors, but they are Xenon. I'll let them go for $100. + shipping.

Thanks. I may have to take you up on that, I'll let you know. Someone else is selling projections for $240. I'm hoping that I won't have to be the one purchasing new equiptment, but I'll find out soon.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Well You are doing the right thing..

You will get more out of people if you give them a chance to fix things.

Im still waiting for mine to come in the mail.

I am a little worried that this is going to happen to my lights.

But I think the set up is much different as that the halos don't get close to the H1 bulbs.

They sit on the outside of the lights.

I will take a look at them when they come in.

Do you think i should not install them and use them some where else in the car... Dome lights or something

DJ