Honda Car Forum

My friend's 2002 RSX has had quite a few burnt out bulbs in the past
year. First, the right blub died after about 3-4 years. Next, the left
bulb died after a couple months afterwards. Then the right bulb died
again after less than 1 year (I think it was a generic non-Acura bulb).

Does 3-4 years seem kind of short for a factory bulb lifetime? I
definitely know that 1 year is way too short for any bulb. How long
should typical bulbs last? My friend is in northern California, so the
weather shouldn't be the cause. Could their be some other causes
besides bad luck?

"Bucky" <uw_badgers@email.com> wrote in
news:1142030076.285978.245490@j33g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

> My friend's 2002 RSX has had quite a few burnt out bulbs in the past
> year. First, the right blub died after about 3-4 years. Next, the left
> bulb died after a couple months afterwards. Then the right bulb died
> again after less than 1 year (I think it was a generic non-Acura bulb).



Four main causes:
1) Overvoltage condition due to alternator defect;
2) Headlights being used all the time as though they were DRLs when they
are not;
3) Vibration due to incorrect installation;
4) Aftermarket bulbs, especially "ultra-bright" or "blue" bulbs.

Check the failed bulbs. Do the ends of the filaments look melted or just
broken?



>
> Does 3-4 years seem kind of short for a factory bulb lifetime?
>



Yes, unless your friend is one of those people that drives around with his
headlights on all the time, in which case it's normal for bulbs that were't
designed for that.



>
> I definitely know that 1 year is way too short for any bulb.
>


Some aftermarket units last less than that.


>
> How long should typical bulbs last?
>


Well, I replaced my original OEM Stanley bulbs in my '91 Integra last year.
I'd say 14 years is pretty good, wouldn't you?


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Thanks for the tips. I'll relay them onto my friend. I know that she
does not use headlights like DRL, and the replacements bulbs were not
the ultrabright/blue ones. So maybe overvoltage or vibration.

> Check the failed bulbs. Do the ends of the filaments look melted or just
> broken?

I'll tell her to check it. What would each case indicate?

"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in
news:Xns9782BD0F63290tegger@207.14.113.17:

> "Bucky" <uw_badgers@email.com> wrote in
> news:1142030076.285978.245490@j33g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:
>
>> My friend's 2002 RSX has had quite a few burnt out bulbs in the past
>> year. First, the right blub died after about 3-4 years. Next, the
>> left bulb died after a couple months afterwards. Then the right bulb
>> died again after less than 1 year (I think it was a generic non-Acura
>> bulb).
>
>
>
> Four main causes:
> 1) Overvoltage condition due to alternator defect;
> 2) Headlights being used all the time as though they were DRLs when
> they are not;
> 3) Vibration due to incorrect installation;
> 4) Aftermarket bulbs, especially "ultra-bright" or "blue" bulbs.
>
> Check the failed bulbs. Do the ends of the filaments look melted or
> just broken?
>
>
>
>>
>> Does 3-4 years seem kind of short for a factory bulb lifetime?
>>
>
>
>
> Yes, unless your friend is one of those people that drives around with
> his headlights on all the time, in which case it's normal for bulbs
> that were't designed for that.
>
>
>
>>
>> I definitely know that 1 year is way too short for any bulb.
>>
>
>
> Some aftermarket units last less than that.
>
>
>>
>> How long should typical bulbs last?
>>
>
>
> Well, I replaced my original OEM Stanley bulbs in my '91 Integra last
> year. I'd say 14 years is pretty good, wouldn't you?
>
>

Also replacing/handling the halogen bulbs without using gloves or other
means to keep skin oils off the quartz envelope will shorten their life.

"wiping" them off after installation does not work,you need to use alcohol.
--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Bucky" <uw_badgers@email.com> wrote in
news:1142035576.529658.5770@p10g2000cwp.googlegrou ps.com:

> Thanks for the tips. I'll relay them onto my friend. I know that she
> does not use headlights like DRL, and the replacements bulbs were not
> the ultrabright/blue ones. So maybe overvoltage or vibration.
>
>> Check the failed bulbs. Do the ends of the filaments look melted or just
>> broken?
>
> I'll tell her to check it. What would each case indicate?
>
>


Melted: Overvoltage
Broken: Vibration or crappy bulb.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/