kevtherev
Registered user
The front lamp on my 11 GSA has blown four times in a year. All other electrics are working ok. Any ideas as to why and anyone else experienced similar problems?
Front lamp blowing
- Thread starter kevtherev
- Start date
I've had 2 dip beam bulbs go in 6 years and 40,000 miles. Are you replacing the bulbs with decent quality ones?
(RIP) Johno23
Registered user
I've had 3 go in 3 years and 30k. keep a spare and it's a 2 min job.
It's important to keep the bulb glass totally clean and grease-free when fitting, otherwise the bulb overheats and fails early. But I'm sure you know that......?
kevtherev
Registered user
good quality replacements and yeah grease free when fitted. Maybe i've just been unlikely - i'll ask bmw to check when it's serviced next as its still
under warranty. Bloody annoying though and the bulbs aint cheap.
under warranty. Bloody annoying though and the bulbs aint cheap.
The G Man
Registered user
8 lamps in 53k miles, 3.5 years
Current (!) is ultra-cheapy £1.60 and has lasted the longest to date - that's as good as gone on tomorrow's commute then
In contrast my Guzzi is still on its first lamp at 43k & 22 years - there's progress for you
I think the fitting is pretty light (!) in weight, and vibrates a lot which probably doesn't bode well for a long filament life
Must say the lights on the new W/C model look interesting - not sure its worth £x000 just to get some longer life from the front light though
G
Current (!) is ultra-cheapy £1.60 and has lasted the longest to date - that's as good as gone on tomorrow's commute then
In contrast my Guzzi is still on its first lamp at 43k & 22 years - there's progress for you
I think the fitting is pretty light (!) in weight, and vibrates a lot which probably doesn't bode well for a long filament life
Must say the lights on the new W/C model look interesting - not sure its worth £x000 just to get some longer life from the front light though
G
Myke Rocks
Registered user
I'm not saying it's a cure, but:
Lamps fitted by manufacturer of any vehicle seldom fail under warranty.
Consider going to your BMW dealer and buying a genuine in BMW box replacement lamp. If it fails, and this is unlikely, you can go back and get a replacement under warranty.
May be cheaper to just replace them though.
There are lots of total rubbish lamps out there with a 3 month max lifespan.
At the dear end, at least a Philips lamp will probably last a year.
Myke
Lamps fitted by manufacturer of any vehicle seldom fail under warranty.
Consider going to your BMW dealer and buying a genuine in BMW box replacement lamp. If it fails, and this is unlikely, you can go back and get a replacement under warranty.
May be cheaper to just replace them though.
There are lots of total rubbish lamps out there with a 3 month max lifespan.
At the dear end, at least a Philips lamp will probably last a year.
Myke
drinkingparrot
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Why are you paying for bulbs if it's under warranty ???.
Are the headlamps hard wired?
The G Man
Registered user
No, its a 1990 Mille GT
It came with an amazing spherical 35W bulb (cheapskates) that I relaced with a 55W/55W dual dip/main bulb & I've never had to delve in since.
I think its the sheer solidity of the metal headlamp shell in contrast to the light- weight plastic fitting on the GS.
I also ran an R100RT for around 60k miles over 20 years, and cannot remember ever replacing a headlamp bulb on that - mind you it did get through a shocking number of HT leads that suddenly went open circuit for some unknown reason.
G
BTW both the Guzzi Mille GT SE & R1200GS SE have wire wheels
It came with an amazing spherical 35W bulb (cheapskates) that I relaced with a 55W/55W dual dip/main bulb & I've never had to delve in since.
I think its the sheer solidity of the metal headlamp shell in contrast to the light- weight plastic fitting on the GS.
I also ran an R100RT for around 60k miles over 20 years, and cannot remember ever replacing a headlamp bulb on that - mind you it did get through a shocking number of HT leads that suddenly went open circuit for some unknown reason.
G
BTW both the Guzzi Mille GT SE & R1200GS SE have wire wheels
Last edited:
clampet
Registered user
Headlamp
2011 R 1200 GS 19500+ miles.On my third bulb now,second bulb was bought at a garage during a tour of Scotland.This bulb didn't seem to last long.Third bulb is genuine BMW which went in at the 18000 mile service.No apparent reason for bulbs blowing.It'll be interesting to see how long this one lasts.Dealer said Bulbs not covered under warrantee,At over £11 a shot they're not cheap.
The front lamp on my 11 GSA has blown four times in a year. All other electrics are working ok. Any ideas as to why and anyone else experienced similar problems?
2011 R 1200 GS 19500+ miles.On my third bulb now,second bulb was bought at a garage during a tour of Scotland.This bulb didn't seem to last long.Third bulb is genuine BMW which went in at the 18000 mile service.No apparent reason for bulbs blowing.It'll be interesting to see how long this one lasts.Dealer said Bulbs not covered under warrantee,At over £11 a shot they're not cheap.
Not had one go yet after 30K miles on the GSA - but then I have got HiD's fitted 
On my K11 I still have the same bulb I fitted about the same mileage ago - that if I remember is a Philips Xtreme.
On my K11 I still have the same bulb I fitted about the same mileage ago - that if I remember is a Philips Xtreme.
kevtherev
Registered user
BMW service didn't id any electrical problems so I guess I've just been a bit unlucky on the bulb front. The good news is the current bulb has lasted 4 months!
Bendy toy
Registered user
Is the headlight wobbling about too much on its brackets?
roamer
Registered user
front lamp blowing
The h7 bulbs when they first came out in mondeos years ago had a noticeable shorter life span ,
and seem sensitive to colder weather possibly due to the small envelope size,, had a few go on the 1150 gs they were small h1 or h3,
i carry a spare just in case as they fit my cars,
the vw branded bulbs are proving durable, and fairly cheap from their tps outlets,,
Roamer,,,
The h7 bulbs when they first came out in mondeos years ago had a noticeable shorter life span ,
and seem sensitive to colder weather possibly due to the small envelope size,, had a few go on the 1150 gs they were small h1 or h3,
i carry a spare just in case as they fit my cars,
the vw branded bulbs are proving durable, and fairly cheap from their tps outlets,,
Roamer,,,
Valley Boy
Registered user
Mines just blown after returning from a France / Spain trip, outside my garage!
5200 miles.--18m old
5200 miles.--18m old
trainman
Registered user
The front lamp on my 11 GSA has blown four times in a year. All other electrics are working ok. Any ideas as to why and anyone else experienced similar problems?
i seem to change mine about twice a year, maybe its the vibes, I fitted an airflow screen about a year ago and have twice had the lower nuts loosen off, have tried various bulbs but now just get the cheapest Halfords car twin packs, I guess its all part of the 'character'
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