MarkII lamp problem, popping the bulbs

[MarkIIRx12]

Hi

My mark II keeps eating the taillight lamps, and park lamps, common for all this lamps is that they are 12/5w. im not sure if this is the right wattage since i dont have the handbook, but it seems to me the lamps maybe be too small.

can i safely put in 12/15w or 12/25w, or can they get too big and hot and start melting things?

Thanks for ur help

[clancey]

Hi, Here are the bulb wattages straight out of the owners manual.

Sealed Beam Wattage:
Sealed beam type 37.5/50 (Outer) 37.5 (Inner)
Semi-sealed beam type 45/50 (Outer) 45/40 (Inner)

Light Bulb Specifications:
Front parking light 5
Front turn signal light 21
Side turn signal light 5
Tail light 5
Stop light 21
Stop & tail light 21/5
Rear turn signal light 21
Back-up light 21
License plate light 5
Interior light 10
Back door light (Wagon) 10
Courtesy light (Hardtop) 5
Glove compartment light 3.4
Engine room light 6

Cheers

Clancey

[clancey]

Only problem is it would appear that you had the right wattage bulbs in originally. Have you checked the voltage being output from the alternator?

[MarkIIRx12]

Hi

Thanks for the info, thats very helpfull.

yes, the wattage is right on the bulbs that keep breaking, kind of strange its only theese 5watts that keeps blowing tho?

output from the alternator is a bit high on high revs, i dont remember exactly but i think it was something like 14-15v, but i changed both the alternator and the other box thats supposed stabilize the voltage (forgot what its called), but it still keeps on giving high volts.

i think i will try change the 5watts with the same type of bulbs i have, cept they are 21watts, should this be fine, or will it get too hot?

Thanks again

[MarkIIRx12]

by the way, does it say anywhere what kinda wattage it should be on the bulbs inside the dashboard? i think i will change some of them too, but i have no idea whats in there now.

[JetspeedCamry]

Be careful when putting higher wattage globes in that stock. The two main problems it can cause are a burnt out wiring harness (pulling too much current) or melted lenses from excessive heat.

[clancey]

That voltage seems very high, where are you checking the voltage? Best bet would be across the battery terminals or on the output side of the voltage regulator.

Cheers Clancey

Hi

Thanks for the info, thats very helpfull.

yes, the wattage is right on the bulbs that keep breaking, kind of strange its only theese 5watts that keeps blowing tho?

output from the alternator is a bit high on high revs, i dont remember exactly but i think it was something like 14-15v, but i changed both the alternator and the other box thats supposed stabilize the voltage (forgot what its called), but it still keeps on giving high volts.

i think i will try change the 5watts with the same type of bulbs i have, cept they are 21watts, should this be fine, or will it get too hot?

Thanks again

[MarkIIRx12]

Hi again

Yes im measuring the voltage on the battery.

hmm i hope it wont get that hot the lenses are melting, i guess i just have to try it and see what happens.

[oldcorollas]

do you have hard suspension/low profile wheels?
are you buying shit "Supercheap/Auto one" bulbs?

[joecoolmk2]

might be wires contacting in the loom.

[oldcorollas]

to start with, the wattage being too small has no effect on them blowing.

you can connect a 5w bulb directly to a car battery
you can also connect a 150W headlight direct to a car battery.
the current that goes through them is a result of the voltage and the current.
14volts or so is not uncommon.
if you have above 15V or so, then you might have a problem.

bulbs blow because of age of the filament, quality of the filament, or due to physical damage when they are turned on (ie, hard bnumps and hot filament don't mix.

the solution is to buy GOOD bulbs (not necessarily branded ones.. ones like philips and tungsram etc are ok. "super white hyper bulb" is probably shit.)
if the bulbs are blowing from shock when they are turned on, from hard suspension, then drive on nicer roads in this case, better quality bulbs will still help.

don't just put in 20W bulbs and "hope it doesn't melt" thats silly

[wagonist]

Also, don't put higer wattage bulbs in your taillights.
They are only 5W for a reason.
That's so they don't get confused with your 21W brake lights!
If you've got standalone tailights, then following oyu would be like following those stupid Hyundai drivers who have their rear fog light on!! Not cool

[oldcorollas]

oh.. check to see if you have any water leaks into the lights..

i had some tailights... ahem.... fill with water once and the bulbs cracked as a result

[BradW]

Also check the earth to the lights are clean and tight. A bad earth connection can cause the globes to fail.
And, as others have said, putting a higher wattage globe in wont stop them from blowing, it will only make you post in the parts wanted forum for new tail lights because you melted your old ones .

[MarkIIRx12]

Hi again

Thanks for all ur answers.

its no water leaks or anything on the lights, and stock suspension and wheels. earth seems to be fine too, and the loom seems to be good too.

i dont remember exactly what bulbs i bought last time, but i usually buy some long life bulbs, i usually buy packs of 10 bulbs, so maybe i got some crap production or something. today i found out even more of the 12/5watt was blow, so total 6 bulbs blown in a short ammount of time.

today i went ahead and bought new bulbs, phillips long life 12/5w, so i guess i will see what happens now, maybe it will work as normal this time.