Nissan Micra Headlights stops working

[AntennaMan]

Hi guys

I drive a 2011 Nissan Micra K13 (the newer model). The last year or so the headlights keep popping. It usually happens to one of the two, mostly on the right hand side, but it has happened to the left side light as well.

The light that pops usually has a bulge on the side. The cheap Midas headlights last about 2-3 months before I have to replace one of them. Last year I paid about 10x more and got myself some Bosch nightbreakers and they lasted almost a full year before one blew. Since it happened only days before my car had to go for a service, I asked them to check it out. They couldn't find anything wrong, so they just tightened the grounding wires and fit a new Nissan headlight. Now, less than 2 months later and the one light has blown again.

What could be causing this?

 

[Wasabee!]

Wiring problem of the loom to the headlight probably.

 

[upup]

When the lights are on, are there any sign, flickering, faint, more bright.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Have your alternator checked by an auto-electrician? Although its weird that its only the headlights that are affected.

 

[TheChamp]

The light that pops usually has a bulge on the side

are the light bulbs made from plastic?

 

[AntennaMan]

The light that pops usually has a bulge on the side

are the light bulbs made from plastic?

Nope, glass. The bulge is also blackened, like there was a lot of heat.

 

[AntennaMan]

When the lights are on, are there any sign, flickering, faint, more bright.

Nothing like that. I usually only notice something is wrong when I switch on my lights and only one comes on.

 

[AntennaMan]

Wiring problem of the loom to the headlight probably.

I have read some accounts of corrosion on the connectors or on the fuse box located in the engine compartment. Will check this afternoon if I can see anything.

 

[TheChamp]

heat is usually caused by high resistance in the connection, i.e one more contacts of the bulbs is not making contact causing arcing(you might even see your wire insulation melting) , or corrosion as as you said.

one of the things you might do is to replace your bulbs, switch them on and jiggle them or the wires to see if you have some intermittent connection, (you might need to remove them from the casing for this)

 

[AntennaMan]

heat is usually caused by high resistance in the connection, i.e one more contacts of the bulbs is not making contact causing arcing(you might even see your wire insulation melting) , or corrosion as as you said.

one of the things you might do is to replace your bulbs, switch them on and jiggle them or the wires to see if you have some intermittent connection, (you might need to remove them from the casing for this)

Will give this a try after work.

 

[upup]

You do not touch them with your hands?

 

[AntennaMan]

You do not touch them with your hands?

Nope. I never touch the bulbs. I tend to use the foam packaging to grip while I'm installing them.

 

[silver6933]

Nope. I never touch the bulbs. I tend to use the foam packaging to grip while I'm installing them.

1. You need to wipe down the bulb with alcohol prior to installing, many are handled prior to you getting it. Dischem sells a house brand alcohol that is cheap. That bulge is a classic case of oil on the surface.

2. I recommend you check the wiring and the plug for over heating. This many have happened once and damaged the wiring.

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/t.pl/failures.html

I used to have continuous bulb failures on my 120w spots. Then I wiped down the last set with alchol prior to fitting. It is still going 5 years later. I replaced the bosch relays twice in 5 years though.

 

[Rickster]

Q20 in the sockets is a good idea.

 

[AntennaMan]

1. You need to wipe down the bulb with alcohol prior to installing, many are handled prior to you getting it. Dischem sells a house brand alcohol that is cheap. That bulge is a classic case of oil on the surface.

2. I recommend you check the wiring and the plug for over heating. This many have happened once and damaged the wiring.

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/t.pl/failures.html

I used to have continuous bulb failures on my 120w spots. Then I wiped down the last set with alchol prior to fitting. It is still going 5 years later. I replaced the bosch relays twice in 5 years though.

1. I have some alcohol I can use. Will give this a try.

2. No sign of over-heating. No melted wires or wire insulation. No sign of corrosion at all.

 

[AntennaMan]

Q20 in the sockets is a good idea.

No sign of corrosion, but will do it any way.

 

[AntennaMan]

Interestingly enough, as I opened the fuse box located in the engine bay, I found a small black box with a Vodacom sticker on it. I suspect it might be a tracking unit used by the previous owner.

It has Torx screws sealing it and I don't have any torx drivers, so I can't open it, but I can identify power cables and coax, as used typically for an antenna.

 

[airborne]

Earth issue or over voltage from the regulators/alternator(if that was the issue then you'd expect other bulbs to blow). Seems quite a common issue with some Hyundais. Perhaps try led headlight globes, you can order them on eBay and they look like a straight drop in, no mods needed.

 

[Nerfherder]

Nope, glass. The bulge is also blackened, like there was a lot of heat.

Too many ammps going to the headlights?

Just one thing I noticed with my Micra, the electronics were very complicated. When the battery was dying it did all sorts of weird things like made all the lights in the car flicker and die... even while driving.(after jump starting) I thought it was another issue but everything was fine after I replaced the battery.

Lovely car but weird electronics. I'd have the current over the headlight checked out.

 

[boxerulez]

Hi guys

I drive a 2011 Nissan Micra K13 (the newer model). The last year or so the headlights keep popping. It usually happens to one of the two, mostly on the right hand side, but it has happened to the left side light as well.

The light that pops usually has a bulge on the side. The cheap Midas headlights last about 2-3 months before I have to replace one of them. Last year I paid about 10x more and got myself some Bosch nightbreakers and they lasted almost a full year before one blew. Since it happened only days before my car had to go for a service, I asked them to check it out. They couldn't find anything wrong, so they just tightened the grounding wires and fit a new Nissan headlight. Now, less than 2 months later and the one light has blown again.

What could be causing this?

Look into your switch.

I found on 2 of our bantams the stalk goes bad. When you switch between dim and bright sometimes both the brights and dim element in the H4 globe is fired up. This is the only way the glass will melt and bubble to the side. (Overheating globe)

If it just popped due to overload it would have grey residue inside the globe.