# 2005 Subaru Chronic Headlamp Burnout

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-chronic-headlamp-burnout/335>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** subaru\
**Created:** [June 7, 2007, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-chronic-headlamp-burnout/335 "2007-06-07T13:27:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Maggie\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@Maggie\_Finn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Maggie_Finn)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-chronic-headlamp-burnout/335/1 "2007-06-07T13:27:26Z")

</div>

Since the car was new, I have had to replace either the right or left hadlamp every 4 months or so. Anyone have any diagnoses or suggestions?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-chronic-headlamp-burnout/335/2 "2007-06-07T14:49:50Z")

</div>

First check the voltage. It should never be above 14V. generally around 13.5V when the engine is running.

Next check for mounting causing vibration or corroded/wet connections.

```
Are you using standard lamps or one of those extra bight lamps, which last a lot less time.
```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 3:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-chronic-headlamp-burnout/335/3 "2007-06-07T15:01:26Z")

</div>

Also, make sure you wipe the bulb with alcohol (the drug store kind, not beer) before installation. Even the slightest fingerprint on the bulb can cause rapid failure.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-chronic-headlamp-burnout/335/4 "2007-06-07T16:03:29Z")

</div>

We had to replace ours at 1.5 years/22k miles.

If your under 3yrs/36k the dealer replaces them for free under warranty.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-chronic-headlamp-burnout/335/5 "2007-06-07T19:06:12Z")

</div>

Is there any condensation in the headlight housing, this can lead to early failures. I pull the left headlight housing off my 2000 Blazer remove the bulbs out and use a hair dryer to dry out the inside.

Ed B.