General Bulbs keep going

[FiatFan2004]

Its maybe just me being a bit paranoid...

But I seem to be loosing bulbs at an alarming rate! Just replaced the brake light for the MOT, and lost the sidelights. New ones lasted less than an hour. Came home tonight, brother said that I came up the road with only one headlight working too...[!]

And while we're talking lights, anyone know where I can get clear side repeaters for a decent price?

Project Punto has arrived...

 

[JonnyBoy]

Check out eBay for clear repeaters.

As for your bulb problem, it could just be down to coincidence and old bulbs. But I'd suspect a fault with the alternator regulator. Get a decent quality digital multimeter, and measure the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine at high revs. It should read somewhere close to 13.8V...if it's much more then your alternator's regulator circuit is probably knackered and outputting too much voltage - which would kill bulbs quite quickly.

------/F/I/A/T/------

Fart In A Tin
<font color="orange">1994 Punto 55SX, metallic red, small, Italian and beautiful! </font id="orange">

 

[poggy]

Hi,

I am not 100%, but if your earth is faulty the current could use another bulb on the circuit to make the connection which could overload it. As I say not 100%, but it may be worth checking it out before you spend a lot of money on a garage bill.

Also as previously mentioned, check the voltage out to be sure.

Andy

 

[craig 980]

its not uncommon for bulbs to go at a similar time as they will nearly all be of the same age.
but, if you're finding that new bulbs are blowing as well, get a test meter across the battery, with the engine running it should show no more than 14volt. as nearly all car batteries are designed to be charged at 13.8v

 

[gr8punto]

Halfords do a good range of Side repeaters. I got some for my Punto for a 10er and they look Really smart. I recomend Halfords or A1 Motorsport. What would be cheaper is just to get the bulbs they only cot 2-3 quid. Good Luck.

Legol.

Gr8 Punto

 

[FiatFan2004]

Got smoked repeaters ordered off of ebay - hope to have them this week. Sorted the lights, invested in (more) bulbs - just hoping they last a while longer lol



__________________________________________
'98 ("metalic blue") 1.4 Brava S / '98 ("metalic grey???!" 1.2 Punto 60 SX

Still fixing em...

 

[Standonit]

When replacing a bulb you should never allow the glass on the bulb to come in contact with your skin. The oil from your skin on the glass will create a hotspot area on the glass that can lead to premature failures. Only handle the bulb while wearing gloves. Tip: if you are the DIY (oil change, plug change etc.)buy your self a box of latex gloves.

 

[FiatFan2004]

Pop goes the OTHER brake light


[}]

__________________________________________
'98 ("metalic blue") 1.4 Brava S / '98 ("metalic grey???!" 1.2 Punto 60 SX

Still fixing em...

 

[cioccixxx]

oops

 

[klaus23]

I found that I was popping headlights all the time till I figured out why...

My Punto Sporting is silver and as a result I tend to drive with headlamps on most of the time. I had always left the light switch to setting 'on', because when the car is switched off, the lights go off too. But then I was turning the car on with the switch set to 'on', which the bulbs don't seem to like at all...

 

[imtiaz1uk]

hi

i've had my punto go for nearly three years and i've never changed a bulb, so maybe there's something wrong with the electrics? i did have a problem with the earth a while back, it came loose. it's in the boot in the left hand corner (i think) under the trim and it's a large bolt with corrugated washer. i had some weird problems starting and finally when it got completely loose instead of starting, the rear wiper starting moving. very strange. the AA came out and found the problem.

i also get a red light flash on the dash which my fiat garage can't figure out at all so i just live with that one. i don't think italians do electricity - i once bought an old Uno, which was great except it had no lights on the dash at all. i'd never had another one so i thought that was how it was. i went over a sleeping policeman one day and the whole thing lit up - quite a revelation to be able to see the speedo at night.....