Hello, I seem to have to replace up to 2 headlight bulbs a year. Is this normal for others?
2009 diesel Koleos headlight bulbs blowing regularly?
- Thread starter Francophilia
- Start date
Short answer no.
What brand of globes are you using and do you keep replacing the globes with the same brand?
Actually I’ve left it to my mechanic so I’ll check. Is there a good option?
Before anything else, how much night driving are we talking here? Or headlight on time?
We don't do much so no globe replacement in the last quite a few years but looking at a total lights on time over the period I would say less than 30 hours (very likely less). Manufacturer's site might have actual datasets with expected life hours.
We don't do much so no globe replacement in the last quite a few years but looking at a total lights on time over the period I would say less than 30 hours (very likely less). Manufacturer's site might have actual datasets with expected life hours.
My 2002 Renault Laguna ii V6 for example: I have had this car for 10 years and have done 187,000 Km in ths car in that time. 50% of those kilometers would of been at night. I have blown one HID lamp which also took out the balast with it and a fog lamp after an animal strike. The other globes that have blown in the car in that time are the little ones found in the electric window switches.
I would say that if you are going through loads of globes; there is really only two reasons, either the globes are poor quality of you have an electrical issue with the alternator putting out to many volts.
I think you are on the right track. I would check globe quality first though. These globes are pretty robust, 1 or 2 Volts extra from the alternator would not explain it. More than that would cook the battery. Still, worth a check. Alternator should deliver just under 14V, more than that is a problem for the battery. I would expect with headlights on the voltage at the globe however would sag to just about 12V, maybe a tad more with revs above idle.