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BlackQCSport
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2005
16:57:11
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 Subject: please read!! headlights from hell
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My name is jeff lemons and I have an 01 Dodge Dakota sport quad. I love my truck as much or more than most of you guys. In fact I love it to the extent that I will spend money to cherry it out and make it look like a sport truck. But let me tell you about www.procarparts.com They sell these diamond clear headlights for our dakotas and durangos and they could be the worst thing that you could buy for your truck. I bought these clear headlights a little less than a year ago and not even a week after I bought them and installed them I noticed water or condensation was getting inside of them and it was obvious because people would ask me whats wrong with your headlights they look like goldfish bowls. Well I didn't really care at the time because they still lit my path when driving although I did complain to procarparts. They wouldn't accept any kind of accountability even thought they were supposed to be SAE DOT legal and that means that they meet minimum government standards. So as water kept building up in them eventually the water would hit the bulb when driving causeing them to burst and the headlight would go out. I replaced it and complained to the company again asking them for an exchange. They denied it and i ended up haveing to buy a replacment bulb to keep my truck dravable. It happened to me again while delivering pizzas(my job) so I had to race home and replace the bulb again, except this time in the other headlight. somehow I managed to replace it without my boss knowing that my headlight was out during two deliveries. I was very frustrated at this point. Just last night I got off work and decided to go through an automatic car wash. When the car wash was finished I pulled out and noticed that my headlights were both out. And I still had an extra three miles to go before getting home. all I could do at this point was turn on my fogs and corner and slowly drive on the shoulder until I got home. Somehow I didn't get pulled over on the way home. but I did see about three cars flash me trying to tell me to turn on my lights.lol So if you plan on buying aftermarket headlights take my story into consideration and don't buy any aftermarket headlights unless there is some kind of a warranty against defects. I felt so violated last night, that I will do anything to keep that business from putting my fellow dakota owners through the same hell I had to go through. So my two reasons for starting this thread is to one ventilate my hostility towards that business and to keep you from haveing to drive at night without headlights. Keep your stock headlights they look perfectly fine. Most people don't even notice my aftermarket headlights. Especially if they aren't lit. thanks for hearing me out I feel much better. BlackQuadCabSport
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2005
17:20:44
|  RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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BQCS,
Sorry to hear about it, and I can identify with your frustration. Here are a couple of things to try:
1. Remove the headlight assemblies and run a bead of silicone sealant around the boundary of the headlight lense and the plastic reflector. This will hopefully stop any water leak at this boundary.
2. Put a glob of vaseline around where the bulb is inserted (being careful not to get any on the actual bulb). This should help avoid water getting in through the bulb opening.
3. Drill a 1/16" hole in the bottom of the reflector to allow any water to drain out. Even if the other two steps don't work, this one will help avoid your headlights from holding the water that leaked in, filling up to the point where it blows/shorts your bulb out.
I have a similar problem on my Ford chassis motorhome's side marker light, and these seemed to solve the "aquarium light" problem.
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Jecht X
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2005
17:40:08
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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aww you should of put a couple of gold fish in there.
seriously that really sucks. I was thinking about geting a set of those but now seeing they dont back their product. I smell an inferior product. they should of replaced the headlights and remburst you for your blown bulbs from their product failure.
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ecdak
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
00:07:40
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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those are not those halogen ones are they. Those give me a headache no matter what they are on. I will shut up if they are not. My stock lights work and look just fine. I would only change my lights if it gives me more power or if they burn out.{or get me laid} but thats just me.
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BlackQCSport
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
12:05:37
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Your missing the point they should work perfectly out of the box. I have a full time schedule and do not have the time to take my healights out and tinker with them. personally I think the better business burou should step in. They claim that these aftermarket headlights are SAE DOT legal and should meet minimum standards. Even if I had the time to take them out and seal them they sould look really bad because the bulbs that burst inside them left a gas residue all over the chrome parts inside and trust me it aint coming off. Why should I have to fix brand new headlights it makes no sense SR. SR do you work for procarparts.com cause you sound like your backing them up. Do you think its normal to buy a new product and have to fix them when you paid good money for them new. I hate refurbished products theres almost always somthing wrong with them too. BlackQCSport
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JES
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
13:22:35
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Procarparts.com is a distributor/retailer, not a manufacturer. Here is a quote from their website ... "All items are sold on "as is" basis. None of the items offered on this web site have expressed or implied warranty coverage (except when clearly stated in the product description)." This comes down to the risk you were willing to take for the sake of a 'cheap' price. Often times, you get what you pay for. You didn't pay for a warranty, so you didn't get one. I'd just consider this a lesson. Granted, it's a pretty painful one, but I'd guess this never happens to you again. About the only recourse you could possibly have would be to contact the manufacturer of the lights. I left a message at procarparts customer service to see if I could get the mfr contact info. I wish you luck in trying to get this resolved.
Eric -- http://photos.yahoo.com/jes_96
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GB2000
GenIII
2/16/2005
13:26:47
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Whoa dude... SR was just offering you some advice on how to prevent it since you did mention in your original post that the place you got em refused to do anything about it. Basing off of that, it pretty much means your stuck with them until you get new ones...and his suggestions were offered to make things a little easier on you til you get a chance to get new ones/swap your stock ones back in.
And I definitely would be turning them into the Better Business Bureau...threaten them with that first. Sometimes just threatening a company to report them will kick their ass in gear and they'll take action since that's a huge blackmark on em whenever someone looks em up. We have a couple pet parrots and try to provide them with the best care we can...which means large and very expensive ($500) cages. The paint on one of the cages was defective and started chipping off horribly...which was causing the cage to rust (and rust definitely isn't healthy for a bird to be ingesting). My mom called the company up since the cage was still new and requested a replacement or reimbursement or something. The company refused saying they weren't responsible. She emailed them back saying she was reporting them to the BBB and she's a member of a couple very large parrot groups and she was going to give them the whole story. The next day she received an email from the company saying her replacement cage had been shipped and should be arriving within a few days. Funny how quickly they jumped on solving her problem when their reputation was at stake. Sorry talking about parrots so much, but it was the only way I could relate...lol
Josh
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
13:45:01
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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BQCS
Dude--WTF? I'm trying to help, so you make me the target of your frustration? No, I don't work for Procarparts, nor am I even a customer of theirs.
Let's face the facts--it is a definite that you are pissed off at getting lights which did not work right (and I think rightfully so), compounded by the fact that the manufacturer/seller aren't properly supporting them. This, unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anything you can do about, based on your comments so far.
So, you now have three choices:
1. Throw these aftermarket headlights out and put the stock ones back in, assuming you still have them (which will really stick it to Procarparts--NOT!)
2. Take a few minutes, try to fix them.
3. Leave the headlights as they are now, and keep changing headlight bulbs about as often as these trucks go through a tank of gas, thus helping you maintain your current sunny disposition.
Did you recently purchase these with a credit card? If so, you might be able to dispute the charge through the credit card company.
So, no, I don't expect to have to fix everything that I buy, but regrettably sometimes that is the easiest solution to the problem. Let's face it, the average Dakota owner would be happier if our trucks came from the factory with a K&N CAI, dual exhausts, better stock tires, better shocks, Moog ball joints, etc.--but how many of us are really ready to donate our trucks to the Salvation Army just to get these less-than-perfect vehicles out of our lives?
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BlackQCSport
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
14:45:23
| Sorry, my bad I will never inform you again
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No one is aiming any blame at anyone and I know that its my fault for buying the item. But do you guys really want bum parts being made for our trucks no. And no I am a little frustrated but what do you expect. I may sound like im just ventilating but I all my intention for writing this post is to warn the rest of you of the product. I would hate to think that other dakota owners are going throught the same problem. So don't flame at me for informing you of a bad product. Your just making me seem like an a hole for posting. Never mind I should not have even posted anything on the topic so that you can experience what I have. Why is it that when I try to do something right and nice for others they just tell me im stupid for buying the product and that its my fault. As if Im too self centered to realize that. You guys just missed the entire point. Way over your head. Oh and thanks for the advise SR but like I said my time is more valuable than having to replace busted bulbs or sealing a headlight lens for that matter. Sorry for even bothering you guys.
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BlackQCSport
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
15:07:26
| I really not pissed
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I never really asked for advise because I already know what I am going to do about it. SR you forgot about a 4th option. Take the aftermarket headlights out put the OEM back in and send the headlights back to PCP with a letter in it explaining what happened and asking politely for a refund and if not it is up to me to try and get the BBB to step in. If you really want to help me out on this then you would inform anyone you know about these headlights so that my effort to keep this from happening to others will have been worth my time. Im not here to discuss my options or point any frustrations, not my intentions at all. Just to be a good person and let yall in on a poorly made product. Honestly I'm kind of tired of the clear look. I think the amber corners or oem assymbly is better looking any ways. No one seems to notice aftermarket headlight anyways. The power of a forum can and hopfully will keep this from happening again. Jeff (BlackQCSport)
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Liam Burns
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
16:03:40
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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i have the same headlights. when i opened them out of the package there was a little note that stated "to prevent condensation on the inside you should line the part where the clear outside meets the housing with silicone sealant". But seriously all you have to do right now is just take the glass part off clean off the inside real nice and dry, then put back together with rtv sealant.
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Liam Burns
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
16:09:03
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Also I have not have had any problems with these lights and i think they look great! especially with the clear corners.
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BlackQCSport
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2005
16:20:48
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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It seriously worked? What clear outside need to meet the housing? Can you explain? These headlights have seriously given me a headache. They never sent me that note. That sort of info should be advertised with their product so that the buyer can decide whether or not he thinks its worth the money to have to seal the edges. It more work than there really needs to be.
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Cliff Claven
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
08:22:44
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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I think BlackQCSport should go postal on the supplier.
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BlackQCSport
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2005
14:20:29
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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you mean the manufactureer!! Whats that gonna do? If I were to go postal it would have already been burnt to the ground months ago. lol no really Im not that pissed I just don't like the fact that poorly made products are being fitted onto our trucks.
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FtMyersR/T
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
16:22:41
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Wow man, sorry to hear that. I've purchased some clear lights for other vehicles and have experienced the same thing so I know what you're going through. While I can't help you, I can hopefully point you in the right direction of some lights that may relieve your frustrations. I bought my "diamond clear" headlights off Ebay and so far, after 3 weeks of carwashes, humidity, wild day/night temperature changes, etc., I've not seen 1 bit of condensation in them. I got them from Performance_Depot on Ebay. Here's the link to my item: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7952052031&category=33710
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JES
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2005
17:18:26
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Performance Depot sounds like a much better supplier for this sort of thing, per their E-bay Store and Website ...
'Customer service & return policy -- "satisfaction guaranteed"'
'Warranty Policy
PerformanceDepot.com guarantees the workmanship of the products sold. If you have received a defective product, please review the manufacturer information included with your new product. If you wish to return it, please visit our Returns form for more information.'
'Returns Policy
If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, please return the item within 30 days of the date it was shipped for a full refund or exchange. The following steps will ensure a smooth return.'
Sounds like this is the way to go for aftermarket lights, along with a lot of other items that SHOULD carry a warranty.
Eric -- http://photos.yahoo.com/jes_96
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BlackQCSport
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2005
14:51:28
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Thanks for the support you guys
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Duncan
Dodge Dakota
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6/23/2005
02:17:01
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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Hey man I sympathize with you. I got the same shaft from Procarparts. They frickin' suck!! I had condensation build up in my passenger side headlight. After talking to the head cumstomer service guy, he gave me a "deal" since they wouldn't exchange them. $55 later and they ship me a new healight/corner assembly. Go figure that about 3 weeks later this one now has condensation in it. I'm going to call and raise hell again. Ishmel is head of cumstomer service, just ask for him directly instead of the toadies that answer the phone. If there is anyone else out there that's had the same problem with Procarparts.com call his ass too!
Duncan
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PCP. DIST.
Dodge Dakota
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6/23/2005
03:27:24
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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YOU LITTLE WHINNY ASS PUNK, AFTER SEVERAL EMAILS ABOUT YOUR RANTING AND RAVING ON THIS BOARD, I FELT COMPELLED TO OFFER THIS ADVICE TO YOU. IF THE PARTS DO NOT WORK, RETURN THEM, FOR REFUND OR REPLACEMENT IF ITEM HAS WARRANTY.YOU LITTLE PISSERS SEEM TO FORGET TO READ INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL PRODUCTS. YOUR TOO SMART, WHO NEEDS INSTRUCTIONS. IN THE MEAN TIME I OFFER YOU THIS LITTLE TRICK TO TIE YOU OVER TILL YOUR NEXT
B!TCH SESSION. TAKE THE SMALLEST DRILL BIT YOU CAN FIND AND DRILL A VERY SMALL HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CASING WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE DAYTIME HEAT EVAPORATE THE CONDEN. HOWEVER I DOUBT YOU WILL FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS SINCE YOU FAILED TO EVEN READ THE MANUFACTORS DIRECTIONS. YOU WHINNY LITTLE PISSER.
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dakvader
Dodge Dakota
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6/23/2005
19:51:22
| RE: please read!! headlights from hell
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well well
the drama is sicking.
I had the same issue even after the silicon.
I sent two pairs back to the company i got mine from and ended up getting the experience of shipping plus replacing my headlights.
Simple reason the leak is THEY SUCK!!!
look real nice but the quility of them is a JOKE.
someone needs to put out some clear corners that are made with some PRIDE. I will most likely end up purchasing another pair and tring again. even though they are cheep crap. I now understand why stock headlights cost 2x the price of clear corners.
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