WTH.... Headlight burned out after only 5 months?

[Monalis]

So I bought Betty back at the end of May and last night I thought I had an headlight out, which someone mentioned it looked like this morning.

Now I'm not getting the fast turn signal thing that I've seen posted here, and the car is only 5 months old. Is this normal, because my old Saturn was 10 years old and never had to have the headlights replaced? Or could a connector have just come loose.

[forestacademy]

I Have only replaced about 2 headlights in my life. And this weekend, just after the 24K mark and 1 year a headlight went out.

Blame GE, Sylvania, or Philips

[John_H]

I had a crappy old car a few decades ago that started burning out lights. It turned out the voltage regulator on the alternator was bad. You might want someone to check your voltages, particularly when the car is running.

[Sieldan]

Since Im the wrench in the family, what should I be looking for with regards to the voltages? And anybody got suggestions on replacement bulbs?

[Monalis]

Originally Posted by Sieldan

Since Im the wrench in the family, what should I be looking for with regards to the voltages? And anybody got suggestions on replacement bulbs?

Is that wrench or wench?

[forestacademy]

I just walked into Wallyworld and picked up a lamp, They didn't have any options. 1 GE bub on the shelves. Replaced it in the parking lot.

So John, Perhaps all those other cars in my life that have gone over 100,000 miles on original bulbs were under powering them.

[Sieldan]

Originally Posted by Monalis

Is that wrench or wench?

You're my lovely Wench, Im the greasy wench.

[John_H]

Bulbs that run at rated voltages (or undervoltaged) tend to last longer. Bulbs that are severely over-voltaged (my Vega's regulator put out 17V) are troublesome.

Your smart should put out about 14.5V when the engine is running if it behaves like mine.

[Sieldan]

14.5v at the battery when running? Ill also see what is being supplied to the headlight pigtail as well.

[mvaldes]

FWIW, on my scangauge voltage generally runs between 13.5 and 14.5.