Car Headlight Problem!!

[Sam2005]

The headlight of my Nissan Primera 1999 model keeps blowing up. I have had to change it 2-3 times. What is more surprising is that sometimes it is the Left bulb and sometimes the Right one. The fog light situated behind is also not working. Can anyone suggest what the problem might be ??

Please suggest a good make for a new bulb which can throw more light!!

Thanking you in Advance,

SAM

[anewman]

Just clutching at straws, but are the correct fuses installed and does the fusebox look clean and dry? Is there any evidence of wires fraying? Are the bulbs decent quality ones of the correct type and wattage (poundland ones will blow up)? Are you holding the bulb only by the base when installing?

You may have more luck looking for a Nissan forum on the internet.

As for bulbs, you can get Philips xtreme +80% bulbs which seem to be quite highly rated. However, these cost £20 at the least so I'd be inclined to make sure whatever the problem is is sorted before you pop more expensive bulbs.

[Stephen Leak]

At the other extreme, according to my records, my last H7 headlight bulb cost £4.75 from Wilkinsons on 23/09/2006.

[anewman]

I just got a pair of capless switch/instrument panel bulbs from Wilkinsons today for 10p :D They had BA9's recently for 24p (would probably have been 10p today if they had any left) but most cars use the 501 sidelight bulbs instead.

[Inactive]

When installing Halogen Head Lamp bulbs, hold them in a piece of kitchen tissue, any touching of the skin on to the glass will cause hot spots, that will lead to premature failure.

[Stephen Leak]

When installing Halogen Head Lamp bulbs, hold them in a piece of kitchen tissue, any touching of the skin on to the glass will cause hot spots, that will lead to premature failure.

True. I have kept the foam tube, which I got with a "previous" bulb, as protection for my spare bulb (which didn't come with one) and handling during installation.

[Sam2005]

Any deals going around at the moment.
Can anyone recommend a good make for a bulb?? Is the Halfords make any good?

[Sam2005]

Any good deal for bulbs going around at the moment.
Can anyone recommend a good make for a bulb?? Is the Halfords make any good?

[zappahey]

Try your local motor factors, you'll get bulbs much cheaper than from halfords

[chilli_dog]

Long shot, maybe your alternator is on its way out and overcharging?

[sillygoose]

I spent a fortune on +50% bulb, blue tint bulbs, top brand bulbs, Xenon bulbs and so on in my Honda and they kept blowing at a horrendous rate (and yes I do know how to handle them) I finally worked out that the smaller H1 type bulbs in my small 'projector' type lights were simply overheating in the confined space (H1's run a lot hotter anyway as there is virtually no gas space or glass area to dissipate heat away.)
Anyway now I buy Halfords 'value' twin packs which still have very good output and last 4 times longer!!!

[steveo3002]

osram or phillips are a good brand

as long as you dont touch them there shouldnt be a problem , fuses wont make them blow

[goldspanners]

check you dont have any other bulbs out,as this may be causing the problem.
number plate bulbs,side light, tail light,brake light and indicators.
depending on how the filament has broken it may be causing a short circuit.

[tomstickland]

Are the headlamps secure? Bulbs will blow if the unit rattles around.

[primera786]

i had a bulb blow after 2 days bought from local motor factors, when i went back thet said i was given the wrong one as my primera has plastoc head lights that keep in the heat and frazel some buls so was given a more expensive one that is for these plasti light and no probs

[anewman]

Nearly all headlight units now are plastic, which is why most bulbs have some UV protection.