Blowing headlight bulbs

[Westfield]

My car keeps blowing headlight bulbs. Has anybody experienced this and come up with a suitable fix? I've tried better quality bulbs but they blow too. I've checked the alternator output and this seems to be within limits.

 

Tony

[CHRIS CLARK]

Tony.

What do you call within limits (13.8v?). Is it always the same one? If always the same one, could it be vibration?

 

[Westfield]

Chris

 

I have checked the volts and they never go above 14v. I have had 3 sets of bulbs in there recently and they have all blown either the main or the dip, but if I think about it, mainly the main beam. The dip has only blown once. I will replace the relay on the main beam today just in case its that.

 

I did start off with some high wattage bulbs 100 / 80 but these only lasted a couple of evenings. As I have experienced problems with these in some of my other cars in the past (in my Lancia they blew within a few months but the ones in my Citroen have been in there years/ 40,000 mile) I replaced them with some quality bulbs, 60/55 Osram I think. These blew as well!

 

I think it may vibration as you say, but how do you fix that? Any one else got an opinion?

 

Tony

 

[EFA]

Obvious, but are you sure you are not contaminating the bulb surface by touching the glass??? This seriously reduces bulb life.

 

 

 

Fat Arn

 

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