Hey Guys,

 

So I was driving home the other day and noticed my Dims were gone.... High beams were fine. I luckily had a shiny new set ready to go so I popped them in and all was working.. 2 days later I noticed one of the new bulbs dims has gone already.

 

My Question is, am I unlucky or is something blowing them?

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

Fionn

Further diagnostics would be required!  Branded bulbs or el-cheapo things from ebay?

 

Have you checked the voltage at the bulbs?  Maybe the voltage regulator on alternator has packed in...

They actually both blew!

 

They were Philips Ultrabright bulbs so not cheap.

 

I will ask someone to check the voltage, havent a clue about these things. All other car lamps are working though (I THINK! will check tonight), wouldnt they blow too if that were the case?

Ultrabright bulbs will generally be more sensitive and have a shorter life than standard ones as the filament is thinner.

 

I got fed up of our old Polo blowing tail lights, so bought Philips Ecovision bulbs (much longer life at the cost of a little brightness) and it cured it.

If they're blowing that fast, then either the alternator is over-charging or there's a funny in the circuit that's strobing the bulbs. For comparison, I run +90%s, and get 2 years before replacing them because they're getting dim rather than have blown.

Fingerprint on glass? 

Even the smallest amount of grease from a fingerprint will be enough. 

Ya my last set of ultrabrights lasted well over a year.. these? A weekend.

 

Ill try another set of cheap ones and see if they pop quickly too I guess.

Fingerprint on glass? 

Even the smallest amount of grease from a fingerprint will be enough. 

 

Nah I took great care not to touch them installing them.