This is the third one I'll have put in in the past year, and last time I replaced both at the same time with identical ones.

Since the light only breaks every 4 months or so, and it's not really a pita to get a new one and replace it, is there anything I can look for to potentially solve this problem? I'm not going to put a lot of effort into it (or money) but if there's something common and easy?

Thanks guys

Tintop or kit?

They go sometimes if there's bad connections or if the headlights loose. They can vibrate around in the holders which shortens their life considerably.

is it a h4 headlight on a kit? is it wired so that both filaments are light when on main beam? if so, they don't last long.

Tere's a few possible causes...

If it's H4 and dip filament is still on with main beam.
If you touch the glass of the buld when fitting it.
If the alternator is overchargeing (this would blow other bulbs as well).
If it's subject to a lot of vibration.
If you're buying cheap bulbs.
If you're just unlucky.

My passat seems to go through headlight bulbs (H1 and H7) at an alarming rate.. I've put it down to vibration in an old clunky headlamp cluster.

I've tried different brands, worn gloves when fitting them etc. and doesn't seem to resolve the problem. Voltage diagnostics suggests no overcharging so no idea what black art is at play here.

Less than a minute to change the bulbs though (not like some modern cars!), so I just carry spares around.

Yeah tintop

Probably a combination of vibration, lots of use and being french

Does Lucas still make light bulbs?

If one lamp it is usually down to a poor earth connection, if both lamps either over charging or crappy bulb You can't depend on big name bulb makers I had problems with Osram Nightbreaker H7 bulbs only lasting only a few months. Last year I bought H7 Neon boosted output bulbs from of all places my local news agents! branded "All Ride" half the price of the Osrams (or if you buy bulbs from Halfords 1/4 the price) they have been great.

I have also had problems with tail light and also brake light bulbs burning out but switching to Bosch bulbs fixed that.

[Edited on 28/5/13 by britishtrident]

I swapped it this morning, and instead of the filament snapping like normal there was a small piece stuck to the glass. I tapped the side and the whole filament just fell off like it had corroded if that means anything to anyone? I'll check what I can of the earth when I get a day off

It's hard to tell really, a corroded looking filament suggests the bulb has leaked and allowed air into the void, allowing oxidation. This could be due to vibe loads on the legs. Or it could be me reading too far into it.

If you can find them Osram do a longlife replacement headlight bulb

I'll look out for them for next time