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Old 21st March 2017, 20:56   #1
2750 HP
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Default 75 / ZT Lights - why do they fail so often?

In our house there are 2 off ZT CDTi, 1 off 190, 1 off 260 and my wife's 75 Conti. 2 of them are Mk 1 and 3 of them are Mk 2.

All have had multiple failures of various front and rear light bulbs - typical mileage each year being about 40,000 in total. Latest one this afternoon!

Am I expecting too much for them not to fail - it can't be five rogue cars.

The other three cars in my fleet have a combined 66 years in my ownership and I cannot recall ever having a light fail other than perhaps a number plate and / or rear fog lamp bulb.

Anyone else had problems or is it due to my consistent high milage?
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Old 21st March 2017, 21:06   #2
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I know what you mean. Our first R75 on an early 51 plate bought from a dealer in 2005 absolutely ate bulbs but I could never find an issue. Our ZTs and our second R75 on an 05 plate have not had any of these issues.

The first one was a v6 and the second one a.diesel so different alternators but both ZTs are/were 190s and they didnt suffer..

Initial thought would be alternator over charging but I never saw that. I just put it down to an electrical gremlin I could never find on 6 years of ownership

Other members might be along in a bit who may have found the issue
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Old 21st March 2017, 21:45   #3
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I would suggest looking for corrosion around the fittings and plugs, as well as the security of the mounts.

If they blow immediately, it is likely to be a wiring issue. If they blow after a short period, it could be cheap bulbs, corrosion or vibration. Mine have not blown any more than any other car I have had. That is once I repaired the wiring issue shortly after I got the car (chassis leg - which I would suggest you check just in case it is a wire with a worn through sheath, that occasionally shorts out with vibration)
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Old 21st March 2017, 22:47   #4
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I've had my ZTT for about 18 months (done about 5000 miles) and had to change the n/s headlight bulb 3 times.

Personally I put it down to the quality of the bulbs.
One of them actually ballooned, and was so called OE quality
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Old 22nd March 2017, 03:54   #5
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People switch the lights on too fast in our cars by nature of the switch design.

Start car, leave it a few seconds, turn side lights on, wait another few seconds and then switch on main beam.

I personally have found on the many cars I owned that switching them on before the car has done its self level check will nearly always blow the bulbs if done to quick regardless of brand.
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Old 22nd March 2017, 06:44   #6
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Put hid's in..... Done many cars with original 15 plus year old burners in.....
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Old 22nd March 2017, 06:48   #7
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You may also find if blowing one side that the mounts for the headlight are looser allowing the unit to vibrate or there are worn suspension parts encouraging that side to bump more......

Always look past the symptom when looking for a fault.....
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