Headlamp and stop/tail bulb life

[MikeyBee]

I have a Vito W639 Dualiner with OM642 engine and just like all my previous Vitos it eats headlamp and stop/tail lamps for breakfast. I buy them in boxes of 20.

To be fair a box of 20 lasts me several years but honestly, I seem to be swapping out one busted bulb or another every three or four weeks. I've had two new alternators in the five years I've had this van so I'm not convinced the fault lies in the system voltage being too high, and I had the same problem on my previous W639 Vito too.

Is this a 'known problem' with Vitos? Is there a simple fix, like a particular brand of replacement bulb? I wondered about getting LED lamps but these all seem to be tailored to the boy racer market and I'd like my van to look totally standard.

Any advice most welcome....

Cheers.!

 

[Kev555]

Maybe depends on the quality of bulb possibly? Ive had mine three years now and ive just blown the second headlight bulb, but I tend to ask for the good brand bulbs even though they cost a bit more(sorry cant remember the brand now). Again with alternators ive replaced mine as there was a fault code relating to it that kept popping up even though it was charging fine seemingly for a year after I bought the van. I got a good quality new component replacement and so far two years later all is good. Is your sump splash guard still on there Mikey? Maybe something star could look at your voltages/wiring as well if you have to pay him a visit. Try Osram ultra life headlight bulbs with a 4 year guarantee as a suggestion?

 

[Craiglxviii]

If you use Osram- they’re OEM for Merc typically- they should last 3 years minimum. If lamps aren’t lasting that long typically then there’s a problem somewhere.

 

[Blobcat]

Vibration can kill bulbs, you can get ones that are less susceptible

 

[MikeyBee]

If lamps aren’t lasting that long typically then there’s a problem somewhere.

Indeed, but what?!!

I've been buying Lucas brand bulbs. I'll buy some Osram when my next pack runs out, thanks.

 

[MikeyBee]

Vibration can kill bulbs, you can get ones that are less susceptible

I'm wondering if bulb life is more proportional to mileage than hours turned ON, due to vibration. I do 35,000 miles a year typically....

 

[Kev555]

If you use Osram- they’re OEM for Merc typically- they should last 3 years minimum. If lamps aren’t lasting that long typically then there’s a problem somewhere.

I learned something new today then Craig. Must hunt down a set of them as I haven't changed the blown bulb yet with the clear evenings and me not being out after dark.

 

[Kev555]

Indeed, but what?!!

I've been buying Lucas brand bulbs. I'll buy some Osram when my next pack runs out, thanks.

Lucas wouldn't be great quality bulbs Mikey, fairly generic in my book

 

[mioba]

I'm wondering if bulb life is more proportional to mileage than hours turned ON, due to vibration. I do 35,000 miles a year typically....

well the more miles you do the more the bulb is likely to be in use due to the need for more braking this triggering the bulb.

 

[mioba]

The quality of the light bulb makes a big difference.

In my home I have a few bulbs still from the previous owner in areas where the lights are used regularly. eg hallway, bedrooms. The lightbulb brand is Thorn. An old english bulb manufacturer. When did I buy my house ..... 2000.
I also realised quality bulbs make a difference when changing them on my w124. I dont think I needed to change a bulb for over 10 years on that, but started using no name stuff from a motorfactors. The quality was just not there. So I simply started getting my bulbs from MB, they last forever.

Btw, ensure the bulbs are perfectly clean when reinstalling. use tissue when handling for eg. dirt or grease from your paws will kill a bulb in no time.