# Headlamps Keep Burning Out

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlamps-keep-burning-out/1895>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 18, 2007, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlamps-keep-burning-out/1895 "2007-07-18T16:25:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PJG555](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@PJG555](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PJG555)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2007, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlamps-keep-burning-out/1895/1 "2007-07-18T16:25:38Z")

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I have a 2002 Mazda Protege, which I purchased used in July 2004. The left headlamp burned out last summer, and was replaced, followed by the right headlamp, which went out last October.  
  
  
  
 About a month ago, both headlamps again burned out, within one week of each other. My local garage replaced both bulbs, and suggested that the previous bulbs, which had been installed at 2 different auto parts stores, may have been touched during installation, and damaged in the process, causing them to burn out in such a short time. A few days ago I noticed that my left headlamp is out again. Any suggestions as to what may be causing the chronic burnout?  
  
  
  
 Thanks!

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**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:** [July 18, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlamps-keep-burning-out/1895/2 "2007-07-18T16:30:41Z")

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Touching the bulbs during installation will shorten their life, but we must assume the most recent installation was done correctly.

I think it’s time to start measuring voltage at the head lamp bulb socket and checking the connections, including ground(s), in the circuit.

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**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:** [July 18, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlamps-keep-burning-out/1895/3 "2007-07-18T17:29:04Z")

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```
First start the car and turn on the lights. Now measure the voltage at idle and at speed. Tell us what that voltage is.
```

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**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:** [July 18, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/headlamps-keep-burning-out/1895/4 "2007-07-18T18:44:01Z")

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Is there any condensation inside the headlight housings? Water condensation in the left headlight housing of my 2000 Blazer was causing bulbs to fail. I removed the entire housing from the truck and used a hair dryer to dry out the inside of the housing. I then applied silicone at the clear lense/housing joint to seal any cracks.

Ed B.