Freelander 2 headlight bulbs - keep blowing

The Godfrog · Nov 14, 2018

I keep having to replace headlight bulbs about every 2 to 3 months? I can't believe this is normal? I only use well known makes Osram, Phillips. Any suggestions please apart from not driving at night.

jamesmartin · Nov 14, 2018

not touching the glass and what voltage does alt put out when engines revved

The Godfrog · Nov 14, 2018

jamesmartin said:
not touching the glass and what voltage does alt put out when engines revved

James - very careful not to touch the glass will check the Alt - what would cause concern? Last bulb actually blew apart with glass all inside headlight

jamesmartin · Nov 14, 2018

The Godfrog said:
James - very careful not to touch the glass will check the Alt - what would cause concern? Last bulb actually blew apart with glass all inside headlight

it raising above 14 v as you rev the engine

td4van · Nov 15, 2018

What age is your Freelander 2? What quality of bulb are you fitting?

Nodge68 · Nov 15, 2018

When this happens on a vehicle with smart charging, it's generally a sign that the battery is at the end of its life.

Rank Amatuer · Nov 15, 2018

Is it one particular headlight lamp that keeps blowing or any one of the four?
Do any of the parking, tail, brake, indicator or fog lights blow?

The Godfrog · Nov 15, 2018

td4van said:
What age is your Freelander 2? What quality of bulb are you fitting?

I've tried GE, Phillips and OSRAM

The Godfrog · Nov 15, 2018

Nodge68 said:
When this happens on a vehicle with smart charging, it's generally a sign that the battery is at the end of its life.

It's been happening for about 18 months. Vehicle is only 4 years old

The Godfrog · Nov 15, 2018

Rank Amatuer said:
Is it one particular headlight lamp that keeps blowing or any one of the four?
Do any of the parking, tail, brake, indicator or fog lights blow?

Either of the front hi/low bulbs - no others

Rank Amatuer · Nov 15, 2018

The Godfrog said:
Either of the front hi/low bulbs - no others

Any flickering before they blow? A poor connection leading to arcing could result in the lamp overheating and ultimately blowing, but unlikely to cause it to shatter. Check the multiway plug that goes into the headlight unit. Any evidence of arcing or overheating? The 'sockets' in the plug (the pins are in the headlight unit bit) can be pushed back into the body of the plug leading to a poor connection.

Any water getting onto a hot lamp could certainly cause it to explode. Are all the seals ok?

The Godfrog · Nov 15, 2018

Rank Amatuer said:
Any flickering before they blow? A poor connection leading to arcing could result in the lamp overheating and ultimately blowing, but unlikely to cause it to shatter. Check the multiway plug that goes into the headlight unit. Any evidence of arcing or overheating? The 'sockets' in the plug (the pins are in the headlight unit bit) can be pushed back into the body of the plug leading to a poor connection.

Any water getting onto a hot lamp could certainly cause it to explode. Are all the seals ok?

Nope. All looks normal. No sign of leaks or arcing.

FreelanderPhill · Oct 26, 2019

The Godfrog said:
Nope. All looks normal. No sign of leaks or arcing.

Hi did you ever get to the bottom of this ? Mine had the exact same problem it not just blows the filament but either shatters them or melts a hole through the glass. I use Ring or Osram bulbs

Nodge68 · Oct 26, 2019

FreelanderPhill said:
Hi did you ever get to the bottom of this ? Mine had the exact same problem it not just blows the filament but either shatters them or melts a hole through the glass. I use Ring or Osram bulbs

Check the alternator output isn't too high. Sometimes an old and failing battery can cause the alternator to output too much voltage, on smart charge system cars.

FreelanderPhill · Oct 26, 2019

I will have a look at that it did it for a while about 2 years ago and then went on a set of bulbs until yesterday so thought it was sorted. Really strange how it melts or shatters the bulbs never had that before its a 62 with the LED running lights. Never had an issue with my old 60 plate one which didnt.

Freelander 2 headlight bulbs - keep blowing

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