Why is my car eating bulbs?

[jools182]

I've had my car about 3 years

Never changed a headlight bulb until about 3 months ago

Since then I've had 3 main beams go and one side light

I have used standard bulbs and my last set (Ring Xenonmax) I fitted about 2 weeks ago and the sidelight has gone out on the passenger side

Any idea why this might be happening?

[toon10]

Is it Italian? I had a Punto that used to blow bulbs every week and the horn would stop working on a regular basis too. It got to the stage where I'd carry spares in the glovebox so when I got pulled over, whether I knew about another bulb blowing or not, I could say "oh yes officer, I know about it, here's the spare I bought today, I just need to get home and get a torch so I can fit it!"

[Cliftonite]

Control box out of adjustment and dynamo outputting excessive volts.

When this happened to me, headlamp bulbs lasted 20 minutes. Literally.

Err . . . how old is your car, by the way???

[jools182]

It's a 1998 MX5 mk2

[jfdi]

toon10 said:

Is it Italian? I had a Punto that used to blow bulbs every week and the horn would stop working on a regular basis too. It got to the stage where I'd carry spares in the glovebox so when I got pulled over, whether I knew about another bulb blowing or not, I could say "oh yes officer, I know about it, here's the spare I bought today, I just need to get home and get a torch so I can fit it!"

Another thought on the Italian angle I was told when we had an Alfa.
The Alfa turned off the lights when you removed the key meaning the headlights could be left switched on when you parked up. The headlights were then on when you then came back to the car turned the key and started it. The bulbs get a rapid on, off, on, off cycling as the starter motor takes all the power giving the bulbs a hard time.
More likely in winter as the lights just get left on all the time.

[sunbeam alpine]

Could also just be unlucky - that you bought some duff bulbs.

I usually buy a box (10 bulbs) at a time. After having replaced 3 in a week I took them back to the supplier and asked whether there could be a fault. They gave me a box from a different manufacturer, and the first one out of the box is still on the car.

[tonys]

I've had a view for a while that there are some 'less than high quality' of bulbs around in recent years. 18 months ago an interior bulb blew (original was 8+ yrs old), 2 replacements blew within approx 4 weeks. 3rd bulb still going strong when car sold recently.

[Locknut]

jools182 said:

Since then I've had 3 main beams go and one side light

Have I got that right... the main beams went, not the dipped beams?

Usually the dipped beams go first because they get most use. Time to get out your volt meter.

Are they H1, H4 or H7?

[jools182]

My mistake, I meant dipped beam

They are H4

[phillpot]

All the same side?

[Garybee]

Are you touching the glass with your fingers when fitting them?

Check your voltage with engine running, see if it alters as you rev the engine.

Check your headlamp earth.

[Planet Claire]

When I saw this thread I thought this is a post I could have made, my car eats up bulbs like there's no tomorrow. I've always got a stash of spares with me and I can change a headlight virtually blind in a couple of minutes flat.

Then I read you have a mk2 MX5, exactly what mine is! I put it down to being a low ride which feels all the potholes. I was in halfords the other week, funnily enough buying 2 bulbs for my other Mazda, and I noticed they sell extra durable bulbs, so I'm going to give them a go next time.

Other than that I can't help, but you're not alone (my OH's MX5 is like that too).

[Locknut]

I don't think it's excessive. Assuming the headlamp bulbs were not all on the same side I would think that you got the normal life out of a pair of bulbs and then one blew early, total three h/l bulbs.

Side light bulbs also burn out and you've only lost one. I don't think this is related to the headlamp bulbs, just a coincidence. However it would be no harm to check out the voltage.

[mattyc69]

1. Touching bulbs with greasy fingers before fitting makes them overheat and pop

2. Alternator overcharging causes bulbs to go as well

3. Are your headlights nice and secure? If the fittings are loose this will cause the bulbs to shake and vibrate and fail

I am sure one of these will be cause get your multimeter out and have a play!

[sploosh]

Can't help with the bulbs, but if you lived over the border in Staffs you'd be ok - over here they wouldn't care. No rear lights and only a dipped beam at the front .... whatever.

[lescombes]

Buddy of mine had the same issue on his Focus.... was the Battery.... Alternator overcharging due to the battery going down, causing the bulbs to pop...

[john2443]

the regulator on the alternator can go and let too many volts out. I can't think of anything else apart from that or dodgy batch of bulbs.