EXCESSIVE HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENTS!!!

[jemmah]

I just returned from TOYOTA parts department. Ready for this...........they want $26.00 (US) a bulb. I'm not paying anybody 25-30 dollars for a bulb, I don't care how long it lasts!! There probably massproduced for 4 bucks a piece!!
I'll continue trying varying manufactures until something works and if I fail I'll remove the relay or whatever for the daytime running lights.
It's ALWAYS the low beam that bites the dust, never the highbeam. I'm leaning toward the daytime running lights more and more.
Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming IF there different from what people have already mentioned.
JIM

[Geoff Peace]

Originally Posted by jemmah

I just returned from TOYOTA parts department. Ready for this...........they want $26.00 (US) a bulb. I'm not paying anybody 25-30 dollars for a bulb, I don't care how long it lasts!! There probably massproduced for 4 bucks a piece!!
I'll continue trying varying manufactures until something works and if I fail I'll remove the relay or whatever for the daytime running lights.
It's ALWAYS the low beam that bites the dust, never the highbeam. I'm leaning toward the daytime running lights more and more.
Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming IF there different from what people have already mentioned.
JIM

Contrary to what some people have said on this topic bulbs do not fail regularly for no reason. The reasons for headlight bulbs to fail prematurely are:- Poor quality bulbs, (not the issue it was years ago), touching the bulb during fitting, incorrect fitting, excessive vibration, poor terminal connections causing a resistance, supply voltage too high. The last reason is caused by the voltage regulator, rectifier or both being faulty. They are housed within the alternator. I would have the output of the alternator checked thoroughly, it may be constantly high or may be spiking occasionally. Output should be 13.6 to 14.4 volts, in my opinion, although Toyota specify 12.9 to 14.9 volts. Bulbs failing prematurely was much more of a problem in the 'old days' when cars had a dynamo instead of an alternator. The reason was that a dynamo was mechanically regulated and charged at around 16.8 volts. Alternators are electronically regulated and deliver a more constant voltage output, Until the regulator malfunctions!

Regards Geoff Peace.