Sidelights

[acecard]

Not really an issue - just interesting and wondered if anyone else had this experience.

Front sidelight just failed - or rather went very dim - exactly the same happened with a previous failure.

Lights go dim rather than fail outright and have a dark silvery coating on the inside.

 

I have been using Ring autobulbs available from Wilkinsons and although cheap, Ring is well established so I would have thought quite reliable.

Currently £1.50 for 2 from wilkinsons - at least twice the price at Halfords.

 

Has anyone experienced bulbs failing in this fashion?

 

These sidelights are a bit of a swine to change so I prefer not to do it that often!

Edited January 5, 2013 by acecard

[SilverBeast]

Mine have done this, and on other vehicles, it's basically a fine coating of vaporised metal from the filament.

 

It's easier to change these bulbs by removing the headlight than trying to use the stupid little hatch in the wheel arch.

[acecard]

I use the handle of a wrench which fits into the groove on the lampholder so you can get some twist on it - works very well - in the past I've resorted to using a piece of wood shaped with a penknife to get at them. Seems to me odd design whereas the sidelight is virtually unreachable for most adults yet directly underneath the indicator has as nice long handle to grip. Edited January 5, 2013 by acecard

[MadBaz]

I've had simi;ar issues with no apparent reason, so I switched to CREE bulbs (very bright LED) not cheap at £15 a pair but no probs since.

[acecard]

I've had simi;ar issues with no apparent reason, so I switched to CREE bulbs (very bright LED) not cheap at £15 a pair but no probs since.

Seems expensive but I guess should outlive the car and never need changing again - will decide next time one blows - where did you get them from?