99 LE blowing through headlights

[konakenny7]

My driver's side low beam has been blowing out probably every 2 months for the last year or so, and I am clueless as to why. High beams work fine, always the low that blows. Passenger side has been in place for probably 10 months. I have traced the wiring as best I can and found nothing that would lead me to a diagnosis/repair.

Fuses look ok, car is completely stock wiring (no aftermarket stereo components or lights). 210k miles and counting. Anyone experience anything similar or have any input?

Car was bought new in Texas (non-coastal area), moved to Nebraska about 4 years ago and then to Idaho panhandle about 3 years ago. Only inkling I have is the change in area weather/environment has caused some type of corrosion.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[deadrx7conv]

Bulb quality is hit or miss these days. Among 4 cars, I think I've gone through a dozen of these bulbs(tried most brands) in the past 2 years.
I do plenty of night driving. And, I often just leave the headlights on always. Both are nails in the bulb life coffin.

Use a longlife(sylvania LL) or greenie(phillips ecovision) bulb, or rough service bulbs from store.candlepower.com. They usually last a long long time.

Don't use +30 +50 +80% +anything bulbs. They fail quickly if used regularly. Don't use any 'blue' coated bulbs.

Don't drive with the headlights on all the time.

Clean/lube your battery, starter, alternator cable connections, and all the chassis grounds.

I also have used over wattage IPF 4x41 bulbs. Since the OE wiring is resistively weak, they don't run at full power and have lasted.

[heartdisease]

I second the rough service bulbs, it sounds to me like maybe the driver side housing has a small amount of movement or vibration coming through. Low beams are on much more so to me that would indicate why they blow first.

[Mike Gerber]

Is it possible you are touching the glass portion of the new bulbs when you are installing them? If so, the oils from your shin are being transferred to the bulb. These oils cause the bulb to burn much hotter and greatly shorten the life of the bulb. If you do touch the glass, clean the glass with alcohol and a clean paper towel before installing it.

Another possibility is that the regulator inside your alternator is defective and the alternator is overcharging. This could cause the bulbs to blow. Have your charging system checked out. Many auto parts stores like Autozone will check the charging system for free, right on the car.

Mike

[blizz86]

your 1999 camry has separate bulbs for hi/lo?? in mine they are the same hb2 bulb..

anyway you might want to turn off your daytime running lights as well

[konakenny7]

Alternator checked out fine. I always install bulbs with gloves so no oil contact to glass, and it is the dual phase bulb (9003/HB2). Most of them have been the Sylvania LL ones, but did try a few other higher and lower brands.

Haven't yet disabled the DRL, but it is on my agenda. Think I'll try the rough service bulbs in combination with that and see how it goes.

[calnra]

Originally Posted by konakenny7

Haven't yet disabled the DRL, but it is on my agenda. Think I'll try the rough service bulbs in combination with that and see how it goes.

definitely do that. On our year, the drl is running the low beam at partial power and it can't be good for bulb life.

Also, consider a relay and harness upgrade for the wiring, the stock wiring is skimpy. I bought a set from susquehana and couldn't be happier.