I have a 2002 x type non HID headlamps and I can't keep bulbs. The drivers side was out when I bought the car (50000 mi) almost 8 months ago. I replaced both sides with new bulbs. Within a month the drivers side burned out again. I replaced it. About a week later the passenger side burned out. I replaced it. That lasted about 5 months and the drivers side went out again.
I replaced both again. Three nights ago I was driving down the interstate and the passenger side bulb went out.
Does this model have a problem that can be solved. Should I think about a different type of bulb?
Any help would be great.
Thanks

 

Check the wiring harness going to the low beam and make sure you have no frayed or split wires.. You might have a power wire thats grounding itself on something metal and killing your bulbs..

 

Thanks I will check. It just seems odd that it alternates sides. I do use gloves when changing the bulbs and even cleaned them with alcohol the last time I changed them.

 

bclark, you using regular Halogen bulbs (not the xenon lookin ones) are you?

 

100 watt H1 halogen bulbs. White color. I do take the bumper off to change the passenger side. Also the undercover, then the headlight assembly comes out the front. Hands are too big to take the bulb out of the back. Aluminum block (brake proportioning valve?) is in the way. Drivers side can be done in 5 minutes. Just remove the cover by moving two spring clips.
I have been using cheap bulbs off of ebay, the next will be brand name!

Thanks

 

the problem is the hypewr white, and other bulbs of this type. I have replaced my wifes 4 lights in alittle over a year where the factory bulbs had gone years, So I changes to projector HIDs from an Stype so I could have some bright long lasting lights

 

Why amI thinking that the bulb is supposed to be a 55 watt H1?
I will have to check the manual. H1's come in 55 and 100 watt.
Maybe the 100 watts are getting too hot and burning out????

Are you sure the bulbs are burning out and you don't just have
bad connectors? Have you taken out a burnt out bulb and measured
it with a meter to see if it is bad or can you see that the filament is
broken by eye? The low beam on my 2002 X has a bad connetor.
Most of the time it comes on but often I have to get out and
tap on it for it come on. I have new ceramic connectors to put on
but have not done it yet

 

All standard bulb headlights are 55W. Any bulbs over 55W (low beam) are considered illegal due to excessive brightness. If you are using a 100W bulb in the factory housing, it is very likely that is the cause of this problem. The bulbs can get too warm and this will cause rapid wearing of the filament, leading to quick failure. This is due to the relative small surface area the headlight has to dissapate the heat. Drop down to 55W bulbs and see what happens then. I bet you will get close to the same light output and have the bulbs last for a long time.

Chris "Thermo" Coleman and K'Re Ann, the 03 X

 

I will try the 55w bulbs, makes sense.
To ljanssen: I do not know about the s type but be careful when removeing the bumper if you have headlight washers. The first time I removed my x type bumper I broke the pivot and cover, about $50 to $60 for the parts and about the same to paint them to match the vehicle.
Expensive lesson. Sometimes the dealer ain't so expensive, you know what I mean?

 

I would not be surprised if the 100W H1's aren't
responsible for many fried/melted X type lamp
connecotors! I've seen it posted before that people
can't get the bulb off the connector because it
is melted. I think that is what is wrong with my
left headlight.

 

People don't realize that the socket and housing was intended for a specific bulb type. If you got higer in watts that = more heat and more heat melts plastic!

Stick to factory specs and type and you won't have any problems. Want brighter lights...you'll have to get a newer car or get the entire assembly designed to handle the extra watts....

Also, your alternator was designed with the factory load in mind. you start adding more watts and the alt load goes up possible blowing your alternator too......

 

DO NOT use a bulb with a higher wattage than 55 watts! If you want better lighting, use the Sylvania Silver Star replacement bulbs.

 

Thats what i said