Blown Bulbs Anyone.... - Page 2

bramblp · 30th October 2010, 19:56

In 6 years of ownership using dipped headlights night and day so 90,000 miles with headlights on I have had to replace both bulbs up to twice a year, probably 20 bulbs by now, I now always carry several spares and because I have found no difference between cheap and expensive I now seek out the cheap whenever I can, Aldi & Lidil do them from time to time.

geofftl1000r · 30th October 2010, 20:17

9 months and not a bulb has blown (reaches over and touches wooden table). Have noticed that on the bike, the brighter bulbs (nightbreaker etc) do last a considerably shorter time (and cost more££). Philips bulbs last longer on my bikes......
This many bulbs going ping must be down to something, poor earth is the usual culprit.

Frank Incensed · 31st October 2010, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by geofftl1000r

This many bulbs going ping must be down to something, poor earth is the usual culprit.

I agree.
I didn't lose a single headlight bulb in 10 years with my 214Si, so I suspect they were the original bulbs (14 years, 90,000 miles). However, rear light bulbs were fairly frequent. I suspect this was down to corrosion of the contacts due to dampness, which once necessitated the replacement of the whole bulb holder module.

I take it you've a Suzuki V twin Geoff? That rules out low frequency vibration as the cause then!

bigrob73 · 31st October 2010, 09:02

Are you being careful not to touch the glass of the bulb? Forgive me if you are, but I went through a period of loads of blown bulbs a few year ago. I then found out that fingerprints/grease left on the bulb supposedly caused it to blow. Since then I have only changed a couple in probably 5 years.....
I dont know if this is an old wives tail, but it seems to have worked.

wutang · 31st October 2010, 09:04

I have replaced 4 headlight bulbs 2 each side in 4 years and 100,000 miles, first time I bought some hideously expensive night breakers which lasted a whole month before both blew within days of each other, they were replaced with the ones I buy in bulk for my fleet of vans at work, (about 59p each) the light output is v. good and 2 years in they are still going.

Richard

geofftl1000r · 31st October 2010, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Incensed

I take it you've a Suzuki V twin Geoff? That rules out low frequency vibration as the cause then!

If your going to blow bulbs you might as well have fun doing it!

Alas, my current steed is a (boring) silky smooth Bandit 1250.... blows the 100% brighter bulbs just as quick as the TLR...

Thomas · 11th November 2010, 21:25

I shouldnt have spoke so soon.......wife wanted to go to Asda so jumped in the car pulled away with just sidelights on and as we got to top of the road put the headlights on and ping on came the bulb out warning and out went the o/s headlight bulb! hope its dry tomorrow lunchtime!

kaiser · 11th November 2010, 23:06

left brake light warning just came on!

eddiemc05 · 11th November 2010, 23:46

While ur on the subject my 75 hss a sticker saying it has xenon bulbs, ais this likly and are they expensive

Synchromesh · 26th November 2010, 16:35

I wrapped a strip of paper round a dud bulb (not too tight) and secured it with a few turns of masking tape. I now slide this over the new bulb, secure the electrical connection and then slide the paper tube off. I find this prevents my fingers from touching the glass when I am pushing the electrical connector onto the new bulb. I keep the paper tube with my spare bulbs for next time.

30th October 2010, 20:17	#12
geofftl1000r Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon in Moonstone Green Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Salfords, Redhill Posts: 525 Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts	9 months and not a bulb has blown (reaches over and touches wooden table). Have noticed that on the bike, the brighter bulbs (nightbreaker etc) do last a considerably shorter time (and cost more££). Philips bulbs last longer on my bikes...... This many bulbs going ping must be down to something, poor earth is the usual culprit. __________________ Rover 75 2.0L V6 Auto Connie in Moonstone "I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left"

31st October 2010, 09:02	#14
bigrob73 Avid contributor Kia Cee'd 3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Norwich Posts: 247 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Are you being careful not to touch the glass of the bulb? Forgive me if you are, but I went through a period of loads of blown bulbs a few year ago. I then found out that fingerprints/grease left on the bulb supposedly caused it to blow. Since then I have only changed a couple in probably 5 years..... I dont know if this is an old wives tail, but it seems to have worked. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Gone but Never Forgotten

11th November 2010, 23:46	#19
eddiemc05 Gets stuck in Mg zt ctdi Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: newcastle n.i Posts: 537 Thanks: 76 Thanked 23 Times in 22 Posts	While ur on the subject my 75 hss a sticker saying it has xenon bulbs, ais this likly and are they expensive __________________ Mg zt 2004 cdti

26th November 2010, 16:35	#20
Synchromesh Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Preston Posts: 624 Thanks: 50 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts	I wrapped a strip of paper round a dud bulb (not too tight) and secured it with a few turns of masking tape. I now slide this over the new bulb, secure the electrical connection and then slide the paper tube off. I find this prevents my fingers from touching the glass when I am pushing the electrical connector onto the new bulb. I keep the paper tube with my spare bulbs for next time. Last edited by Synchromesh; 26th November 2010 at 16:36.. Reason: Added last sentence.

30th October 2010, 19:56	#11
bramblp Loves to post Rover 75 CDT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dublin Posts: 470 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	In 6 years of ownership using dipped headlights night and day so 90,000 miles with headlights on I have had to replace both bulbs up to twice a year, probably 20 bulbs by now, I now always carry several spares and because I have found no difference between cheap and expensive I now seek out the cheap whenever I can, Aldi & Lidil do them from time to time.

31st October 2010, 09:04	#15
wutang Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.5 auto (LPG) & mg tf 160 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dartford Posts: 1,124 Thanks: 5 Thanked 39 Times in 36 Posts	I have replaced 4 headlight bulbs 2 each side in 4 years and 100,000 miles, first time I bought some hideously expensive night breakers which lasted a whole month before both blew within days of each other, they were replaced with the ones I buy in bulk for my fleet of vans at work, (about 59p each) the light output is v. good and 2 years in they are still going. Richard

11th November 2010, 21:25	#17
Thomas This is my second home MG6 1.8T GT SE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Falkirk Posts: 9,510 Thanks: 106 Thanked 173 Times in 128 Posts	I shouldnt have spoke so soon.......wife wanted to go to Asda so jumped in the car pulled away with just sidelights on and as we got to top of the road put the headlights on and ping on came the bulb out warning and out went the o/s headlight bulb! hope its dry tomorrow lunchtime!

11th November 2010, 23:06	#18
kaiser This is my second home 75 Tourer 2.5 Auto, 1.8T, 75V8ZT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Johannesburg ZA Posts: 6,200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 859 Times in 613 Posts	left brake light warning just came on!