car lights: question

SkinnyJoe

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A front lamp died on my car, but I can still use the high-beam. This has happened to me before, so I am curious, why isn't the high-beam dead as well?

Thank you, and sorry for the ignorance. :)
 
In a car lamp there are often two filaments (the part that glows to produce the light). Most people use their "regular" beams more often then their "high" beams thus causing the "regular" beams filament to wear out faster. Thus allowing one to burn out before the other. This is a simple fix and often included taking out 1-3 screws then just unplugging and replacing the old lamp. As a note driving with your "highs" on is often illegal due to blinding other drivers. So dont be silly and try to wear out the "highs."
 
Not to hijack, but this seems like as good a place as any to ask this question...

I recently had both my headlights burn out within a week of each other, but luckily I'd bought two bulbs when the first one blew. After the second one blew I began to wonder how much the daytime running lamp feature wears on the bulb.

Would it lengthen the life of the bulb if I disconnected the DRL wire? It's a very quick, easy fix as the connector is just under the glove compartment. Or is the drain the DRL puts on the bulb too little to worry about?

Again, not trying to hijack, but this seemed like a logical place to ask.

Thanks.
 
Weird. The second one seemed to have went out as well (low beam out, high beam working), then all of a sudden I turn on the lights the next day, and both are working. A fuse being loose? Can't explain it.
 
Not to hijack, but this seems like as good a place as any to ask this question...

I recently had both my headlights burn out within a week of each other, but luckily I'd bought two bulbs when the first one blew. After the second one blew I began to wonder how much the daytime running lamp feature wears on the bulb.

Would it lengthen the life of the bulb if I disconnected the DRL wire? It's a very quick, easy fix as the connector is just under the glove compartment. Or is the drain the DRL puts on the bulb too little to worry about?

Again, not trying to hijack, but this seemed like a logical place to ask.

Thanks.

I'm no expert but quality lightbulbs for autos should last for a good amount of time before having to be changed. By quality I mean OEM manufacturers and not aftermarket companies. I wouldn't worry about leaving the DRL on since the drain is minimal. I'm wondering if maybe you touched the bulbs while installing? The oils on your fingers will cause premature wear on the bulbs since they burn so hot.

I usaully buy replacement bulbs in pairs as well and just keep one as a spare.
 
Weird. The second one seemed to have went out as well (low beam out, high beam working), then all of a sudden I turn on the lights the next day, and both are working. A fuse being loose? Can't explain it.

These lights do have a mind of their own don't they? :p

Maybe a loose fuse if both the highs and lows are connected to the same one, or maybe some loose filaments in the bulb?
 
some vehicles have separate bulbs for normal and high beams. Others have one bulb with two filaments; on filament is normal beam, the other is high beam. Either way, it never happens, that both filaments break at the same time.

Low Beam/Regular uses a separate Bulb

End of story!

WHAT???
Weird. The second one seemed to have went out as well (low beam out, high beam working), then all of a sudden I turn on the lights the next day, and both are working. A fuse being loose? Can't explain it.

keep track of how they work. Check the fuses. if it keeps up, or one finally blows, replace them; but replace both sides at once, not one at a time, just keep the good bulb (if there is one) in your vehicle in case something happens, and you need a backup.
 
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