C5 sidelight bulb burning out quickly

[Citroenmad]

As I said above, it seems a problem with C5IIs as the bulbs are different. C5Is use normal sidelight bulbs and they don't get through them any quicker than other cars. If you touch a blub with your finger and leave grease on the outside it does shorten the life of the bulb.

Ive seen and fitted sidelight bulbs to C5IIs which had no front sidelights, its always the bulbs which have failed.

Get good quality bulbs and they do last. I think my C5 has its original sidelight bulbs, ive not needed to fit any in my 10 months of ownership. However our C5II estate needs a bulb every 3-4 months on average.

[GB]

I have a set of Osram H6W Ultra Life bulbs on my C5II (about £10 delivered). They are now 8 months old and still working - which is a nice change compared to the crappy "cheap" £6 a pair bulbs prior to that lasting only a week or so.

The Ultra Lifes come with a 2 year warranty.

IMHO the cheap ones are just not worth the effort.


GB

[SaabC5]

Bottom line, use decent quality bulbs not Halfrauds ones. And give the glass a wipe over with a soft linen cloth before pushing them into the fitting, any greasy/oily deposit causes a hot spot and premature failure especially on 501 style bayonet push fit bulbs.

[cachaciero]

As I said above, it seems a problem with C5IIs as the bulbs are different. C5Is use normal sidelight bulbs and they don't get through them any quicker than other cars. If you touch a blub with your finger and leave grease on the outside it does shorten the life of the bulb.

.

I am not sure what you mean by "normal" sidelight bulbs mine are wire ended, no metal cap not what I would consider a normal bulb at all, and with respect though you say that C5 1's don't go through them any quicker than other cars a peruse through on-line forums that cover these cars would show that it is an issue which comes up quite regularly on Mk 1's and certainly in my case two sets in eighteen months by comparison with the XM one bulb in three years. (and yes they were Halfrauds

cachaciero

[GB]

I guess most cars use 501's for their side lights, C5II uses halogen H6W which are famous for their lack of reliability.


GB

[cachaciero]

I guess most cars use 501's for their side lights, C5II uses halogen H6W which are famous for their lack of reliability.


GB

Just been and looked at the spec for 501's average lamp life 1000 hrs!!!!!? Say 18 hrs on time a week in winter and maybe 6 in summer that's about 6oo hrs a year they ain't going to last two years maybe not even one and those that insist on daylight running lights will likely be changing them every three months

cachaciero

[Citroenmad]

As I said above, it seems a problem with C5IIs as the bulbs are different. C5Is use normal sidelight bulbs and they don't get through them any quicker than other cars. If you touch a blub with your finger and leave grease on the outside it does shorten the life of the bulb.

.

I am not sure what you mean by "normal" sidelight bulbs mine are wire ended, no metal cap not what I would consider a normal bulb at all, and with respect though you say that C5 1's don't go through them any quicker than other cars a peruse through on-line forums that cover these cars would show that it is an issue which comes up quite regularly on Mk 1's and certainly in my case two sets in eighteen months by comparison with the XM one bulb in three years. (and yes they were Halfrauds

cachaciero

Normal sidelight bulbs are often the ones you describe for the S1 C5 or the metal capped versions. Not the Halogen bulbs used in the C5II.

Ive not had any problems with S1 C5 sidelights, ive not replaced one in nearly three years. Includes 3 S1 C5s in that time. However I have fitted some blue sidelight bulbs to the S1 C5s we've had, they don't appear blue once on but a much brighter white.