Headlight bulbs keep blowing

[steve095]

Hi All,

Just after a bit of help. I have a DAB Sport TDI, had it for almost 3 years from new, but its always had a problem with headlight/sidelight bulbs blowing. I usually have to replace the headlight bulbs about 3 times a year. I use top quality bulbs, so don't think thats the problem. Does anyone else suffer the same issues? Does anyone know what may be causing this?

Cheers

Steve

 

[cheshire cat]

have you checked the alternator output?

 

[CJRamze]

Take it back to the dealer.
Demand they fix it, The cars under warranty!

 

[cupra.al]

is there lots of condensation in the headlights im sure that could cause them to blow.

 

[steve095]

There's no condensation in the headlights, I was thinking of checking the alternator output, does it have a voltage regulator? If so, is this part of the alternator, or a separate unit that could be faulty? If all else fails, then back to the dealer it goes...

 

[NickyJam]

could also be a faulty circuit board...well, that's what SEAT told me when my rear kept blowing

 

[cheshire cat]

There's no condensation in the headlights, I was thinking of checking the alternator output, does it have a voltage regulator? If so, is this part of the alternator, or a separate unit that could be faulty? If all else fails, then back to the dealer it goes...

yes it's part of the alternator can be checked at the battery terminals fast tickover --head lights on- should be approx14.4volts but if it's under warranty I'd take it back first

 

[steve095]

Ok, thanks for that. I'll give the stealers a call first and see what happens! Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Ash_238]

When installing the bulb, no ones fingers are touching the element, as the fine oils off your fingers can heat up on the outside of the bulb & cause the filament to burnout.

 

[RUM4MO]

When installing the bulb, no ones fingers are touching the element, as the fine oils off your fingers can heat up on the outside of the bulb & cause the filament to burnout.

Don't completely agree with that logic, the quartz envelope gets very hot, if you handle the bulb with oily or dirty hands, the oil or dirt left on the quartz envelope will burn onto the envelope and reduce the light output. If you manage to cover the complete quartz envelope with any oils, include natural body oils, then it is possible that the bulb will blacken and over heat and cause the filament to burn out - but normally it would only get inefficient. Correct logic though to keep hands off bulbs - fit by covering with a clean rag to prevent getting any oils on the quartz envelope - as this will keep the bulb clean and maximise light output.

To the OP, when you say "high quality" replacement bulbs, do you mean premium brand normal output bulbs or any brand +80% output bulbs? The higher the burning of the filament the shorter the bulb life. Also, you have not mentioned needing to replace the rear and brake light bulbs - they too should be feeling the effects of too high an alternator output.