Brake light problem

The Mighty Red · 16-02-2008, 04:33 PM

My right rear brake light keeps blowing, I put a new bulb in and within two days it blows it , I have gone through 4 or 5 bulbs over the last month or so..
Is this a common fault?...anyone had the same problem?
anyone got any ideas before I depart with my hard earned $$$ at the auto electrician..??

howesy · 16-02-2008, 06:00 PM

Blown single globes like that are often caused by poor earthing due to oxidisation in the globe holder or alternatively on systems where the oxidisation has happened on the contacts within which causes resistance and some times arcing even if miniscule and this can also cause premature failure as resistance byproduct is heat.
In other words after all that rubbish pull it all apart and give it all a good scraping in the contact areas and see how it goes before looking for shorts.

congo3sr · 16-02-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howesy

Blown single globes like that are often caused by poor earthing due to oxidisation in the globe holder or alternatively on systems where the oxidisation has happened on the contacts within which causes resistance and some times arcing even if miniscule and this can also cause premature failure as resistance byproduct is heat.
In other words after all that rubbish pull it all apart and give it all a good scraping in the contact areas and see how it goes before looking for shorts.

YEP

:

AWD Chaser · 16-02-2008, 08:32 PM

Also, while your at it, it might be worth replacing the fuse. It's unlikely, but if Ol' Murphy's involved, replacing a 5c fuse will be the last thing you try doing.

The Mighty Red · 17-02-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howesy

Blown single globes like that are often caused by poor earthing due to oxidisation in the globe holder or alternatively on systems where the oxidisation has happened on the contacts within which causes resistance and some times arcing even if miniscule and this can also cause premature failure as resistance byproduct is heat.
In other words after all that rubbish pull it all apart and give it all a good scraping in the contact areas and see how it goes before looking for shorts.

Ok ,thanks mate I will give them a good clean and see how it goes.

Congo ,cant do any harm to change the fuse so I'll do that while I'm at it....Auto Electrician is $70 per hour so I will try these things before I take it in.