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#1 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 187
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The front left headlight has gone on my MC mondeo. 2nd time in ~1yr.
The parking light has also gone, but that might have been out for a long time. Wondering if it's just bad luck or whether there might be some other issue causing the failures? I've had a couple of low battery warnings over recent months which I think was due to some interior lights being left on (damn kids). Would battery issues cause globe failure? Also, I'd love to hear any tips for making the globe change easier. It's a real PITA from recollection. |
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#2 | ||
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kenthurst
Posts: 40,394
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6 months is doing well out of a globe in most cases.
Have they been replaced with a "performance style" globe with a thinner filament? Or still using the factory spec long/life globes? Also is using auto lights on ... and starting can cause premature globe failure (where the lights come-on prior to starting the car ... the feedback through the electrical system isn't the greatest for globes.
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The Current Stable 2016 SZII TS Territory RWD Petrol The Evolution of the EGA54D utes AU Workshop Build thread of EGA54D B-Series Workshop Build thread of EGA54D 2004 SX TX Territory AWD - Gone but not forgotten 2010 FG XT "The ex-rental" - Moved onto a new home Mechan1k's Flickr Page |
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#3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NSW
Posts: 1,610
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Make sure you use quality globe
What are the roads like where you live left side of vehicle gets shaken more on country roads Is the globe holder and lamp mounting O.K. |
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#4 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 187
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I can't recall which globe. nothing too fancy but nothing too cheap either. Bought from autobarn.
Yes I use auto headlights. Fairly sure I got the globe holder and lamp mounting correct when I changed last time. It took long enough so I sure hope so. Was careful not to touch the globe glass too. Nothing bad about the roads I usually drive. thanks |
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#5 | ||
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kenthurst
Posts: 40,394
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I found when using auto headlights that cranking would be one of the killers of globes ... especially in Falcons ... so i stopped using it in the end.
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The Current Stable 2016 SZII TS Territory RWD Petrol The Evolution of the EGA54D utes AU Workshop Build thread of EGA54D B-Series Workshop Build thread of EGA54D 2004 SX TX Territory AWD - Gone but not forgotten 2010 FG XT "The ex-rental" - Moved onto a new home Mechan1k's Flickr Page |
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#6 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Goulburn NSW
Posts: 316
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Second time in 6 months?
I replaced a globe Monday week ago on my way to work (at 4am, a "Repco" branded globe from the Shell servo when I fuelled up). 2 days later - Low beam fault warning and the same globe out GRRRR!!! A few minutes later, globe starts working again and all good. Next morning, same again. I am yet to replace it again, I don't think of it during the daylight, and haven't had the urge after dark. I do around 250km a day, at least half in the dark so I should probably do it before it fails completely....
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2012 MC Mondeo LX TDCi Wagon - Highway Hack 392K km and counting - Now gone 😢 2008 Peugeot 308 HDi - Highway Hack II 2008 Citroen C4 HDi - Highway Hack III 2010 Peugeot 308 HDi SW - Shaggin Wagon II 2016 VDJ200R Landcruiser GX Wagon - TTD V8 Power ![]() 2017 Toyota RAV4 GX Wagon - Shopping trolley - Gone 2022 Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription - Shopping trolley II 2002 BMW R1150GS |
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#7 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,551
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I replaced the globes in my territory when I bought it, as one looked different to the other in colour. Turns out it wasn't the globes but that's another story. I replaced with Phillips long life h7 as i thought that was the oem brand. Turns out oem is osram. The Phillips lasted only a few months before both went. I changed to osram (available from supercheap) and so far so good.
I always recommend oem globes.
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UA2 TREND 4WD BI TURBO |
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#8 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Dubbo, formerly Canberra
Posts: 342
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I've always thought it was the switching on and off that causes (filament) bulbs to fail, as it stresses the filament... the bulbs will actually last longer left burning if it means you avoid a lot of switching. At least it seems that way anecdotally with household lights, that when they blow is invariably upon being switched (incandescent/halogen and also CFL - I'm happy my LED bulbs seem more robust).
If autolights is causing excessive switching on and off of the lights - particularly during cranking, say because you start the car in a garage - then that to my mind could be a contributor - not that I have hard proof. I leave autolights off. As for interior lights, I thought all Mondeos had a timer that turned them off (even if the switch position is on) after a short period? It does in mine (and the period seems much too short to me...). |
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#9 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Queensland
Posts: 80
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Quote:
That is correct. Just did a test in mine and they turn off after around 15 minutes. Same goes for the light in the hatch area. Also bulbs suffer their most stress during turn on and turn off. That is why most incandescent bulb house lights fail at those times. My Mondeo has run auto lights since day 1 (almost 6 years ago) with no issue (touch wood).
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Latest ride: Ford Falcon FG X G6E Fondly remembered: 2013 Ford Mondeo Zetec Ecoboost Hatch |
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#10 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 187
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Quote:
Kids play with the lights so I'm never sure what status the switch is left in, and I've got into the bad habit of not locking my car. I suspect interior lights might have stayed on if Switch On + unlocked. Car never sits for more than 2 days usually, but this time it was 4 days so maybe enough to drain the battery. I know for sure that boot light stays on if boot is open. I had a bingle recently and boot wouldn't latch so light was stuck on. anyway..time for another post about new battery |
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#11 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Goulburn NSW
Posts: 316
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Quote:
Ford in their wisdom decided to NOT label the relays in either the fuse box or the owners manual. Fuses are listed, just not the relays. Makes this sort of trouble shooting hard. Does anyone have a diagram that points to what relay is what? The Ford Wiki one doesn't show the light relays
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2012 MC Mondeo LX TDCi Wagon - Highway Hack 392K km and counting - Now gone 😢 2008 Peugeot 308 HDi - Highway Hack II 2008 Citroen C4 HDi - Highway Hack III 2010 Peugeot 308 HDi SW - Shaggin Wagon II 2016 VDJ200R Landcruiser GX Wagon - TTD V8 Power ![]() 2017 Toyota RAV4 GX Wagon - Shopping trolley - Gone 2022 Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription - Shopping trolley II 2002 BMW R1150GS |
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#12 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 1,262
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I doubt it's the relay as it would affect both lights, unless there are separate relays. I'd put my money on the bulb socket - they seem a bit flimsy to me.
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MB Mondeo TDCi wagon, sea grey, on MAK Invidia 16" wheels. |
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#13 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 805
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Without having actually seen I'd say the BCM or GEM under the glovebox is where the headlamp current is switched. Not by relays but by solid state device (MOSFET?), not serviceable. The headlight switch module on the dash connects to the GEM via digital (LIN) bus, and is also a potetential failure point.
But I'd also put my money somewhere on the headlamp unit connections. When the fault is on maybe try thumping or wiggling stuff. |
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#14 | ||
Starter Motor
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1
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For mine it was not paying attention when changing a globe and got one of the wires jammed in the cover without noticing. After a few months with the motorised headlights it broke the wire and would then only work intermittently (or when turing left!)
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#15 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Goulburn NSW
Posts: 316
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Quote:
All looked OK but I tightened the plug a bit by squeezing closed the contacts a little. I also looked at the under glovebox fuse tray (GEM?) and wiggled and checked the plugs there as the problems started not long after changing the cabin filter last service. So far, so good. Mind you, Low Beam Fault warning that same evening which turned out to be the opposite globe blown ![]() Trap for young players though - when I tightened the contacts, I pushed the lamp tight into the plug then installed it into the headlight. I never noticed that it sat back a little from the mounting surface and the light pool was almost straight down. I discovered this at 10pm and -3 degrees before my 120km commute home from work. Out in the cold, removing the headlight again to fix before driving home.....
__________________
2012 MC Mondeo LX TDCi Wagon - Highway Hack 392K km and counting - Now gone 😢 2008 Peugeot 308 HDi - Highway Hack II 2008 Citroen C4 HDi - Highway Hack III 2010 Peugeot 308 HDi SW - Shaggin Wagon II 2016 VDJ200R Landcruiser GX Wagon - TTD V8 Power ![]() 2017 Toyota RAV4 GX Wagon - Shopping trolley - Gone 2022 Volvo XC40 T4 Inscription - Shopping trolley II 2002 BMW R1150GS |
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