car keeps blowing headlight bulbs.

Hell Cat · 02-04-2013, 04:16 PM

I got my citroen work van brand new 14months ago.

It has blown each headlight 3times, at $75 each time to fix it from the dealer is getting pretty expensive.
Im completely capable of changing them myself but They said if I fit non genuine bulbs I will void my warranty, is this legal?

Its at the dealers now, ive told them it needs to assesed as to what is causing them to blownso early...... they told me 3-4 months is the lifespan. I call BS.
The last time they replaced a bulb they said there was corrosion in the terminal.

A friend said it could be spikes in voltage?

What would you do? Is it worth speaking to Accc

Fiesta God · 02-04-2013, 04:27 PM

A batch of the Ford Fiesta's built in Europe have the same problem - it is caused by voltage spikes in the electrical system, although it seems to be somewhat random between cars.

Ford did a dealer bulletin in Europe instructing dealers to fit a resistor wire between the current electrical socket and the main light bulb. This fixed the problem.

Ford began installing this resistor wire from factory on Kuga's, Focus's and Fiesta's in 2010.

I would ask the dealer to do this for you. If it doesn't work, take it to an auto sparky and get them to do it.

And using non-genuine globes will NOT void your warranty, what a load of BS.

**cs123** · 02-04-2013, 04:31 PM

If the dealer is going to tell you things like voiding warranty then tell them you want the Service Manager to put that in writing. Likewise for the lifespan of the bulbs.

flappist · 02-04-2013, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta God

A batch of the Ford Fiesta's built in Europe have the same problem - it is caused by voltage spikes in the electrical system, although it seems to be somewhat random between cars.

Ford did a dealer bulletin in Europe instructing dealers to fit a resistor wire between the current electrical socket and the main light bulb. This fixed the problem.

Ford began installing this resistor wire from factory on Kuga's, Focus's and Fiesta's in 2010.

I would ask the dealer to do this for you. If it doesn't work, take it to an auto sparky and get them to do it.

And using non-genuine globes will NOT void your warranty, what a load of BS.

Fitting a resistor will not block spikes it will actually lower the voltage on the bulbs making them dimmer.

This smells like a design stuffup or the use of an incorrect component when manufacturing.

Franco Cozzo · 02-04-2013, 05:41 PM

We had the same problem on a 2009 Territory, we replaced the alternator, same problem 2 weeks later.

It was blowing headlight globes every week, no fail.

What it ended up being was a dodgy body earth, something was earthing through the headlight circuit blowing the globes all the time.

Added another body earth from the battery, presto! No more blowing globes.

Ford pulled the "Its because you're not using Ford globes BS" on her.

Give it a try, **** easy job.

If you want to try some long life globes, check out these:

http://www.powerbulbs.com/au/product...eadlight-bulbs

Olbucko · 02-04-2013, 05:41 PM

Try a different brand of bulb, if that does not solve the problem put the original blown bulb back in and go back to the dealer, there is obviously a fault with the voltage regulator/alternator, or faulty earth as in the previous post.

Check the battery voltage with the engine running at a fast idle with the headlights on, should be about 13.5 - 14.5 volts.

(the headlight bulbs in my Territory are still good after 5 1/2 years and 200,000 Km)

mash again · 02-04-2013, 06:04 PM

If he told you that not fitting the factory globe voids the warranty ask for the second two times it was replaced to be refunded as it was under warranty, otherwise what is voided? by not fitting the correct bulb? the bulb itself which would appear you have paid for 3 times.

casabonka · 02-04-2013, 07:23 PM

My work car is a Holden viva... car is now 4 1/2 years old and have gone through 10 headlight globes if not more after the first two went after 3 months Holden said it was normal wear and tear....

sneaky · 02-04-2013, 07:41 PM

do you park the car inside or outside?

reason i ask is my old AU used to blow headlights constantly when parked outside 24/7. when we moved and had a garage to park in it was fine, didn't blow globes at all. when i was in the process of selling it was parked back outside and went back to blowing globes.

got to the point where i would carry 3 globes in the glovebox just in case..

casabonka · 02-04-2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneaky

do you park the car inside or outside?

reason i ask is my old AU used to blow headlights constantly when parked outside 24/7. when we moved and had a garage to park in it was fine, didn't blow globes at all. when i was in the process of selling it was parked back outside and went back to blowing globes.

got to the point where i would carry 3 globes in the glovebox just in case..

hmm.. yeah has been outside all day every day of its life. Thinking its something UV related with the filament of the globe?

Hell Cat · 02-04-2013, 08:15 PM

I park it in the car port, its two cars deep & has a roof & two brick walls either side so it offers pretty good protection.

Picked the car up this arvo, they wanted to charge me $75 again.
I asked if they checked all the points/plugs, asked what output the voltage was, their reply was "it was normal voltage"
Asked if there was any corrosion and they said "no", funny that because there was corrision last time.

They said there is no faults causing them to blow & that it was just wear & tear.... the guy also had the guts to tell me to 'take it up with the bulb manufacturer, they sold it to you'. HANG ON, if I have paid the dealership the money THEY have sold it to me.

He also refused to put it in writing that the bulbs last 3-4month, he also pointed to the printer on the desk & asked me what the life expectancy for the printer was.

Anyway, they didnt charge me in the end because they were closing & wanted to go home.

Itsme · 02-04-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Fitting a resistor will not block spikes it will actually lower the voltage on the bulbs making them dimmer.

This smells like a design stuffup or the use of an incorrect component when manufacturing.

Depends on what value resistor or what other components used & yes it can stop spikes.

**MercurySilver** · 02-04-2013, 08:35 PM

well my printer has lasted longer than 4 months...

Hell Cat · 02-04-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercurySilver

well my printer has lasted longer than 4 months...

Damn. I should've said that. Haha.

Chrisosicko · 02-04-2013, 10:16 PM

Do not touch the glass on the globe of your headlights ever. It will cause them to blow biggest mistake I see most people make. The oil in your skin stays on the glass and heats up when your lights are on and burns causing them to crack

Yellow_Festiva · 02-04-2013, 10:28 PM

The service guy sounds like a right twat....

Honestly... You sure what they were saying was emitting from the entry orifice as it sounds like crap to me.

Be more firm with them and take it further, bulbs do not last a few months, and at $75 to replace you will soon go broke.

It sounds like you have a defect somewhere. Void warranty with non genuine globes? What BS....

Good luck.....

Hell Cat · 02-04-2013, 11:25 PM

I have all the service history etc & invoices.
I believe there has to be a fault also but theyre refusing to fix it/not making the effort to find it.

I might take it to an auto electrician & see if they can identify it, I didnt buy a brand new car just to keep buying headlights every 3months.
Im wondering if I should enquire with the acc.

My xp that I had never blew a bulb in 6years.

Oh, did I mention that they said I need new front brake rotors also? 34000km old & its a manual.

robbyj · 02-04-2013, 11:44 PM

try replacing both the globes at once, as in right and left at the same time.

**ebxr8240** · 02-04-2013, 11:51 PM

Had issues way back with my EB with voltage issues.. Replace alternator ..issue was still there.. One cell in battery was down.. Replaced battery.. No issues since..
A good earth prevents elect spikes, cheap to do and doesn't hurt anything if it doesn't..

pottery beige · 02-04-2013, 11:55 PM

stop dealing with the monkeys in service dept.. get onto the DP and let him know youre not happy with the quality of vehicle and after sales service..

Hell Cat · 03-04-2013, 12:11 AM

I spoke to the owner of the dealership (who is also dealer principal) last week regarding the lights & another issue (which is a whole other headache, they damaged my door trim while fixing a buggered window regulator, & the salesman lied to me about being able to fit seats in the back as an after sale extra when I purchased the car, I took it in to get the seats fitted only to be told thats its not available in aust, only europe) , he avoided answering my questions directly & referred me to the service manager.

It took me weeks to actually arrange a meeting with him as he was always unavailable/away/forgot about the meeting etc.

Shitroen

BHDOGS · 03-04-2013, 12:28 AM

have u tried ramming your car through the dealer ship window ive heard that fixes electrical spikes?

pottery beige · 03-04-2013, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hell Cat

I spoke to the owner of the dealership (who is also dealer principal) last week regarding the lights & another issue (which is a whole other headache, they damaged my door trim while fixing a buggered window regulator, & the salesman lied to me about being able to fit seats in the back as an after sale extra when I purchased the car, I took it in to get the seats fitted only to be told thats its not available in aust, only europe) , he avoided answering my questions directly & referred me to the service manager.

It took me weeks to actually arrange a meeting with him as he was always unavailable/away/forgot about the meeting etc.

Shitroen

balaclava and bat him then...

Hell Cat · 03-04-2013, 12:35 AM

;)

Good thinking.

flappist · 03-04-2013, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trublu

Depends on what value resistor or what other components used & yes it can stop spikes.

Well it was only a resistor but I am interested in your explanation on how this will prevent spikes.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-04-2013, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hell Cat

Oh, did I mention that they said I need new front brake rotors also? 34000km old & its a manual.

As with all suggested repairs ask then to quote it then get a 2nd opinion. Dealers have a habit of changing things well before they are due 'just in case'.

aussie muscle · 03-04-2013, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hell Cat

they told me 3-4 months is the lifespan.

wow, I had an Alfa Romeo from the 80s and it's headlights were the same ones from new (over 20yo.. sure they were yellowed and dim).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hell Cat View Post

Oh, did I mention that they said I need new front brake rotors also? 34000km old & its a manual.

Brake rotors are subject to extreme heat and cold and can warp at any age. regret buying a citroen yet?

bf3wagz · 16-08-2014, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

As with all suggested repairs ask then to quote it then get a 2nd opinion. Dealers have a habit of changing things well before they are due 'just in case'.

Front rotors on ba/bf are renowned to warp and need replacing way before you would expect. I've heard some ford factory rotors need replacing after 10,000kms! Pointless machining them, just get after market ones, dba or the like. Common problem is calipers not releasing properly causing heat buildup and warping rotors and hub/wheel bearing suffer from this heat also another common ford problem. Sorry for the rant

bf3wagz · 16-08-2014, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hell Cat

I have all the service history etc & invoices.
I believe there has to be a fault also but theyre refusing to fix it/not making the effort to find it.

I might take it to an auto electrician & see if they can identify it, I didnt buy a brand new car just to keep buying headlights every 3months.
Im wondering if I should enquire with the acc.

My xp that I had never blew a bulb in 6years.

Oh, did I mention that they said I need new front brake rotors also? 34000km old & its a manual.

Haha, I know it sucks about your rotors, but trust me, getting 34,000km out of your rotors, then you've done well lol. **** them **** ford rotors off as they are designed for you to give the ford dealer more money to replace with another **** set of ford rotors. Get dba rotors, you wont look back.

**Mechan1k** · 17-08-2014, 04:10 AM

Wow .. mad thread mine.

I hope he still hasn't got te Citroen .... or has gone somewhere else.
I had issues with globes blowing the BF ... and put it down to poor feedback through the electrical system.

Territory and FG have never had these issues ... and Ford rotors aren't that bad ... 2.1T Territory and auto ... i got 105,000km from the front factory rotors and pads.

Anyway ... lets hope that Citroen is gone.