# Low beams burning out **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** headlights\ **Created:** [December 19, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/low-beams-burning-out/23607 "2008-12-19T16:18:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ScttLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@ScttLee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ScttLee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/low-beams-burning-out/23607/1 "2008-12-19T16:18:50Z")
I am having a problem with headlights going out. My first low beam lights lasted 7 years, and now the low beams only last 3-4 months. Have tried three repair places, and all go out, and I am now changing the bulbs myself. There appears to be moisture in the lamp areas, but the bulb is behind lenses. 2 years ago, when they first went out, I had several front and rear lights go out within 1 week. After changing these lights, they all have lasted except the low beams. Any suggestions on what to check? Old Aurora 01 3.5 ---
**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:** [December 19, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/low-beams-burning-out/23607/2 "2008-12-19T17:10:47Z")
Fingerprints on the headlight bulbs will lead to premature failure. You’re not touching the bulbs with your fingers are you? I’d look for corrosion in the bulb sockets/connectors, and check where the wiring grounds to the chassis. If there’s moisture inside the headlight housing it could be part of the problem. Perhaps you could dry the headlights with a hair dryer or some other similar device. ---
**Author:** ![ScttLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@ScttLee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ScttLee)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/low-beams-burning-out/23607/3 "2008-12-19T17:33:26Z")
Thanks for the reply. I do not know about the others, but I did not touch the bulb. I even made sure that the NAPA person did not touch the bulb. It has been -20 to 20 degrees for the last few days. when it warms up, I will try the hairdryer idea. Will this extra heat on the plastic effect it on these cold days? ---
**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:** [December 19, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/low-beams-burning-out/23607/4 "2008-12-19T19:32:47Z")
I’d wait until the temperature is above freezing. It’s hard to get moisture out of the headlight assembly, but it’s worth a try. I’ve had to remove headlight assemblies in the past to dry them out. The moisture could be corroding the connections. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/low-beams-burning-out/23607/5 "2008-12-19T23:41:30Z")
You could drill a hole in bottom of the lens housing to drain the water. Since the air expands and contracts in the lens volume, I don’t think you can seal that volume after it drys out: but, it might work if you put a piece of tape over the drilled hole. When the air expands, it will push out of the lens housing. When it cools, the air will contract; thus, the tape over the drilled hole would allow a lower air pressure inside the lens to develop. Now, the question becomes, “Will the air pressure inside the lens become too low?” This could be a science project for your / their kid.