How to repair & replace a Headlight Pigtail Headlight Connector Replacement | Low Beam | H11

[@joannetucker9209]

Just saved myself $160.00 at least doing connector myself using your tutorial. I am 73 yr old woman. So proud of my success!

[@DrDemp]

This was only my second video for KZbin and I'm glad I could help so many people already. More videos to come. Don't forget to like and share! Thanks for watching!

[@laurenroberts5925]

I’m a 38 year old woman and I did too! When I saw that light come on I screamed in triumph!

[@wokinibiz]

This is absolutely the best video I have seen on replacing a pigtail in a professional way. Very descriptive and easy to understand. Thank you for producing it.

[@DrDemp]

Thank you for supporting my channel! Glad I could help.

[@ronmier007]

Great presentation! Although you made this 5 years ago your video still serves a useful purpose today! Thank you, and appreciated for an easy-to-perform procedure.

[@laurenroberts5925]

Thank you for this video. I was able to change the whole thing out by myself. Kia was going to charge over $2000!! I spent a total of like 40 bucks! Really appreciate the good detail about the wires too. 😊

[@DrDemp]

Wow that's some serious savings!! I don't thing the other Technicians appreciate these videos because it takes money away from their shops!

[@thomasd8315]

This saved me BigBucks!!Thanks!!

[@DrDemp]

Glad I could help!! Thanks for supporting my channel!

[@essencepryor6524]

Sure wish you were near TN! I am going to see if I can’t find someone. Because replacing the entire light is expensive. Aftermarket is still $400-$500 only the low beam doesn’t work the rest of the light works fine!

[@DrDemp]

Hope you get it all fixed up!

[@Hughe1188]

Will try it this weekend. Thanks 🙏

[@DrDemp]

Good luck! Thanks for supporting my channel!!

[@kirbycanada1425]

is a hair dryer a sub for heat gun?

[@DrDemp]

I dont belive a hair dryer will get hot enough. A lighter used very carefully may work. Of course with a "Dont try this at home" warning label.

[@92camaro100]

Thanks for the information of doing it right

[@DrDemp]

Your very welcome!

[@Nataliedownbad]

How did u take off the whole headlight?

[@DrDemp]

Excellent question please refer to my previous video for step by step instructions to remove the headlight assembly. Here is a link directly to that video below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWS4c3eNf86hebc Thanks for watching.

[@DrDemp]

I used a Dorman H11 connector part number 84783. Almost any parts store has that available as it is very common. But you can also check their website for your exact application. Link below. www.dormanproducts.com/p-30524-84783.aspx Thanks for watching.

[@donaldwatson6342]

For electrical soldering you should use fluxcore not rosincore. Also you heat the wire and apply the solder to the opposite side and the heat will pull it through.

[@DrDemp]

You want only Rosin Core Solder for soldering electronics. The rosin acts as flux (A substance that helps prevent oxidation and promotes bonding). Flux is essential, but the wrong kind of flux will destroy your project. Flux core wire is used in welding. And is used to weld thicker metals. It differs from flux core soldering and is ideal for heavy-duty or industrial applications since the finished bond is much more secure. This is essential when working on things like machine parts. Thanks for supporting my channel!

[@enigma2rizin]

do you have to solder the wires? or can you just twist together then add heat shrink?

[@enigma2rizin]

also can a hair dryer be equivalent to a heat gun. i'm just going by what i have already. got the bulb, heat shrink and pigtail but no solder gun or heat gun

[@DrDemp]

Without using solder unfortunately this will melt again as it has currently. Solder is the only way to go. Thanks for watching and good luck

[@babymantuck3256]

I have used terminal wire connectors, 14 or 12 gauge depending on wire size and a crimp tool and it has been fine.

[@KevinWhite13]

I’ve got a 2013 Sorento, all in all, besides some paint flaking, the vehicle has been good to us. Now I’m running into the headlight issue where my low beams don’t work at all- seems like a TON of people are having the same problem where the connector burns up. How long did this fix last for you?

[@DrDemp]

This definitely happens and keeps reoccurring if done improperly on these kia model vehicles. Watch my soldering repair video on this and make sure to use Dielectric Grease on the terminal connector and this should become a permanent fix if done correctly. Thanks for watching.

[@chato71384]

Man I asked the auto zone which wire goes with what and he said it dont matter. Cause both were black. I did it and it turned on but even if I had switched the wire it still turned on. I just found your video and I'm like dam. What happens if I did not put them right. Even thou it still turned on? Love the video.

[@DrDemp]

Should still work but its always best to wire them exactly the way the factory harness is color coded. Thanks for supporting my channel.

[@marisolluna4297]

Do I have to replace the whole light to fix the position light ??

[@abdulmohib8921]

Will this work for a kia sportage 2013..my headlights just stopped working..but all the other lights work...

[@DrDemp]

Should be very similar on a sportage.

[@rsunday7815]

Have you seen any issues with the parking light/turn signal light (same bulb) with these Sorentos? I have an interesting case here that I haven't been able to find any answer on. I have a 2013 Sorento. My driver side front parking light does not work, however, it uses the same bulb as the turn signal which does work. There is a fast blink (like when the bulb is out) when I use the turn signal with the headlight/parking light off, but all bulbs are working. When the headlight is on, the parking light (which uses the same bulb as the turn signal) does not light up and the turn signal blinks fast, but doesn't light up. The hazards work fine. So somehow the parking light not turning on with the headlights causes the turn signal to not light up, but it does light up when the headlight is not on, but it still blinks fast. The hazards (same bulb) always work fine. Any ideas?

[@DrDemp]

I have not seen that specific problem on a Sorento but I have seen odd problems similar to that on vehicles that have a wiring issue. Most all wiring problems stem from a previous collision, repair, or maybe the bumper was just pulled off to replace a hvac condenser or similar part and the wires were not put back in the loom properly. I've even seen some factory defects in the wiring rubber coating in the form of a small pinhole which from the outside the wire looks perfect but on the inside the wire I's filled with green corrosion on the copper not allowing the Voltage to flow. These problems I've named take extensive electrical testing to verify and unfortunately there is usually no easy fix in this instance. Usually you have to start testing each wire for continuity one by one til the problem is found. Of course after inspecting the easy stuff first fuses and pigtails and all connectors and grounds. Good luck!

[@Cohhnnor]

can you do bumper removal tutorial

[@DrDemp]

Thank you for your interest, however on this particular model of vehicle the bumper removal is not needed for headlight replacement. Stay tuned in the future to my channel for tech tips and tool reviews. Thanks for the support! Subscribe :)

[@Thad811]

Do you know where/which fuse are for the low beam headlights? The labeling on the engine compartment and inside panels are not clear.

[@DrDemp]

Your best bet is to use a manual to find the fuse. Thanks for watching.

[@privatename3621]

I have a 2014 KIA Sorento SX Limited and these (low beam) headlight bulbs are NOT H11 with the 'L' style black plug socket. Rather, they are H7 bulbs with a silver metal base rim where you push its two metal contact tabs into the socket base, then twist the base into the headlight assembly. This has been cause for so much confusion and almost every auto parts store gets they bulb type wrong for this car. It's frustrating because I purchased H11 bulbs for the low beams for my KIA based on bad info and it needs H7.

[@DrDemp]

Split year cars where they change the body styles almost always give a lot of problems because sometimes they get left over parts from the assembly line from the old body style and new parts from the new body style. Hopefully you got yours all figured out!

[@pauldelesbore2788]

@@DrDempjust take the bulb out when you get to store and take it in with you. Saves time and eases your frustration.

[@stephenayscue3351]

Do you have to solder the wires or can you just use butt connectors?

[@DrDemp]

Solder is the permanent fix along with installing a high quality Pigtail part. Using the Splice Connectors (although is a much faster and easier fix) can create high resistance and that translates into heat which will melt the connection all over again.

[@alexanderjoly2191]

I need to do this my head light connector and I'm gonna use a heat shrink connector

[@alexanderjoly2191]

I'm doing this on a 14 kia soul

[@DrDemp]

@@alexanderjoly2191 A quality 3m heat shrink connector will work if the connections are cleaned and stripped properly, but like the one shown in the video it had connectors done already and that can cause it to melt again. Solder is the more permanent fix for this as there is no resistance and resistance builds up heat which is why the connection melts. Also use a good amount of dielectric grease in the socket. Thanks for watching!

[@alexanderjoly2191]

@@DrDemp so I have a question for you I did my headlight connector and now I think I made mistake because my driver side headlight is dimmer then my passenger side I also changed my driver side

[@brandiewashington7362]

Can I use wire connectors?

[@DrDemp]

I would not recommend any type of wire connectors. While it will work short term, this creates high resistance (translating into heat) in the wire/connection and can potentially melt worse than the original problem. Solder is a permanent fix that will last. Alsobdont forget to use dielectric grease where the bulb plugs in to make sure your repair last.

[@joannetucker9209]

What is the difference between H11 and H11LL bulb?

[@DrDemp]

The "LL" stands for "Long Life", in other words it's just a heavy duty bulb that will last longer than a standard bulb. Usually the Long life bulbs are more expensive.

[@andrepetry906]

I did this but used rubber electrical tape.i didn't have a heat gun works fine

[@DrDemp]

Might not be Weatherproof long term! But glad you got it fixed!

[@MrBlah3573]

Prefer the Koreans design it not to be shit in the first place but is what it is. Thanks for the awesome video.

[@DrDemp]

No problem im currently filming a door handle replacement video on this same vehicle so stay tuned to my channel its a common broken problem on all kia and Hyundai vehicles. Thanks for supporting my channel ❤

[@MikeC-g8f]

I’ve had a 2011 Sorento for 3 yrs and have replaced the connector on the driver side 3 times. Got a letter from Kia about this brought it in and was told too bad you’ve already replaced it. I had to fix it since it didn’t work when I first bought it. And the low beams always sucked and couldn’t adjust enough to work well. So I recently bought 2 new assembly’s which are better but not great. And why does this problem continue to happen with so many cars?

[@mikemelfajr2921]

If you use flux And pre solder each side first it’s about a 30 second job.....and No Cold Solder joints

[@DrDemp]

I was using Rosin core solder, no flux needed. Thank you for supporting my channel!

[@williamherrera4058]

What is the part # for the conector

[@DrDemp]

I used a Dorman H11 connector part number 84783. Almost any parts store has that available as it is very common. But you can also check their website for your exact application. Link below. www.dormanproducts.com/p-30524-84783.aspx Thanks for watching.

[@mrnhl3080]

I replaced my connector and bulb and it only last less then a year on my 2013 Sorento

[@MikeC-g8f]

This is a recurring problem with multiple model years and Kia should have a permanent fix. I’ve had a lot of vehicles over 54 yrs and never had this issue in any of them!

[@piesho]

Why not replacing the wires instead of cutting and twisting and gluing stuff?

[@DrDemp]

If you watched the whole video nothing was "glued" or "twisted" it was soldered to make an excellent connection with a new pigtail. Thanks for watching! Good luck!

[@piesho]

@@DrDemp Jesus Christ! Allow me to make it easier for you: Why not replacing the wires instead of cutting and soldering? You know what, forget it.

[@yeetyaga]

​@@piesho cause it will melt and you'll be replacing it soon after dumbass