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Hi guys
Hoping someone can offer a simple solution to n annoying problem.
About a month ago, the drivers side headlight on my sedan blew. No big deal, replaced the bulb and we were away again.
Until about a week later when the passenger side headlight blew...grrr. "Just bad luck" I thought and replaced the bulb (did both headlights this time so they'd have exactly the same beam). All good.
Until last night when the passenger side bulb blew AGAIN!!
Can anyone suggest what might be causing the problem??
It's driving me nuts.
Cheers, Scott

Are you running the standard system or a H4 conversion

Are you touching the bulb "glass" when fitting?

Regards, Smooth

Can anyone suggest what might be causing the problem??
It's driving me nuts.
Cheers, Scott[/quote] Ive got a steering wheel on the front of my jeans doing the same thing As for headlight problem,you may have already done so but have a quick check of your wiring for any damaged insulation cheers Red Dog

oops, sorry guys, should have given more info.

Lucyblue - standard globes, no conversion

Smooth - I certainly tried to make sure I didn't touch the globes (was made aware of that when fitting the Halogens to my EH), but can't say 100% that I managed to keep my grubby paws off them. Is that the same for the standard bulbs as H4?

Red Dog - I haven't had a chance to look over everything in daylight but will be doing that tomorrow morning. Not sure what I'll be looking for apart from obvious worn insulation and/or bad connections, as electricals is like a foreign language to me. It's about time I did some more reading up on this aspect of the old girls...it can't be THAT complicated...at least i think not

Thanks for the input guys...I'll let you know how I go.
Cheers, Scott

G'day Scott.

1st off: are your headlight mounts tight, ( if there loose vibration over a period of time will kill them)

2nd: Are the connections at the globe socket good( not corroded or loose or dirty)

3rd: When actually does the globe blow, when driving, or as soon as you turn the headlights on or when you have been driving for while or Switching from low to high beam.

4th: What brand globes are you fitting in there.

5th: Possibly the headlight switch is corroded.

These few things will help in the diagnosis.

Regards John

Hi John, thanks for the reply.

1st - headlight mounts were tight when I last checked...will confirm tomorrow

2nd: Connections seemed fine. No corrosion

3rd: I assume the globe must blow when the headlights are switched on, certainly not while driving. For instance I drove home Wed night and they were working fine when I shut the engine off after parking in the garage. When I hopped in the car after work on Thurs to drive home however, the passenger side was out as soon as I turned the headlights on. I assume that's the moment the globe blew as it was the first time they were used since the previous night.

4th: Will confirm the brand tomorrow when I get out there and pull the old bulb out.

5th: haven't checked the switch but will have a look tomorrow.

Cheers, Scott

Overvoltage will shorten lamp life not shure if this is common in the D.C world but very common in A.C check the voltage at the battery with a voltmeter (a cheapy will do) Do the lights "flair" mutch with revs? do you have the original generator or an alternator?

Guys...

* All insulation looked fine...no visible problems
* All contacts are clean and fee of rust
* Hedlight mounts are tight
* Using Narva globes
* Popped a new globe in there and all is working...will see what happens this time

Craig, still running a generator...lights do flair a little with revs, not noticeable when driving, only at standstill. I'm grabbing myself a voltmeter today and will check the voltage this arvo.

Cheers, Scott

Regardless of your headlights blowing you should have the regulator voltage matched to the generator. I would head down to the auto elec and have matched. Some generators can pump out as much as 16 Volts and this will cause the battery to dry out.

Regards, Smooth

The knowledge and advice passed on through here never ceases to amaze me and I appreciate it very much.

I don't have a significant wiring / voltage issue but I will eventually (eg when I put in a wireless and muck about with an alternator) and this thread and many others are very helpful from a heads up point of view.

Thanks peoples

ALL really good theories!

The one that has been left out is the globes themselves.

Todays quality just is just S*%#! It goes with almost everything from paint to points.

You would think that narva was a good brand but they can be duds as well!
Being a sparky I have witness top quality globes go POOF from brand new.
Not sure if you can win in this department just buy more spares
Regards Greg

Lucas The Prince of Darkness