Blowing Bulbs.. again

Bmwtvboy · #1 05-31-2018, 12:57 PM

My passenger side low beam bulb was blown the other day. SO I put a new one in I had laying around, 2 days later, poof its blown. These things aren't cheap. What should I be looking for? Can I just test the socket for surge with an ohm meter? Over the past 13 years I have owned this X5 it has eaten a bulb or two on the right side. Thanks guys.

Purplefade · #2 05-31-2018, 01:19 PM

I might check the ballast. If you're eating bulbs it's unlikely it's the bulbs but may be a surging ballast.

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Bmwtvboy · #3 05-31-2018, 03:37 PM

Ballast? Not sure I understand. I use the basic H7 halogen bulbs. Don't have Xenon.

Purplefade · #4 05-31-2018, 05:00 PM

[QUOTE=Bmwtvboy;1135231]Ballast? Not sure I understand. I use the basic H7 halogen bulbs. Don't have Xenon.[/

Yep - no ballast on those. I suggested it because I had a ballast on my HIDs go out of voltage range and I kept blowing bulbs in my STS... replaced that ballast and the problem was solved. Using the H7s I'm with wpoll, maybe a loose socket or even some oil on the bulb.

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wpoll · #5 05-31-2018, 04:52 PM

There's really nothing electrical that can cause this - at least on the car side. Not unless your alternator (regulator) has failed and it outputting too many volts - in which case the bulb is the least of you problems. This is not likely, btw.

Halogen bulbs are fragile, especially when hot. And cheap ones don't last long. Two days is a bit short though. A loose fitting might allow the bulb to jump about when the car is moving, which may kill it quickly.

Are you ensuring that there is no finger oil on the glass envelope? It is critical that you don't touch the glass part on halogen lamps - the oils in your skin adhere to the glass and then heat up and cause the bulb to fail very quickly. I always wipe down the glass with isopropyl when fitting halogens, just to be sure.

Bmwtvboy · #6 05-31-2018, 10:56 PM

Thanks, I was aware of finger issues so I wear silicone gloves and don't touch the bulb. I never tried the alcohol idea. I'll admit I noticed in locked into the lenses head rather strangely. You're right, if it were a surge I would have other problems, but I don't . And I believe other bulbs would be blown. Perhaps the bulb was rather old laying in the door pocket. I'll try another and hope for the best. But I'll also do a meter test on voltage to the bulb. Thanks again. BTW, can't wait to pickup my 06 , 330 ci. it has Xenon lights. Yeah.

acidgreeny · #7 06-01-2018, 12:55 AM

I had the same problem the reason I found was that the plastic bulb holder had melted and the bulb was shorting out. I got rid of the bulb holder and have attached the two wires directly to the bulb problem solved. A replacement holder is available but nothing in Australia. At $24 each these lights ain't all that cheap.