2001 T5 S60 headlights always burning out

T5S60 · Post by **T5S60** » 16 May 2015, 11:03

Hey so based on some preliminary research it seems like the S60 just goes through bulbs (mine burn out every 6 months) pretty quickly in general. After getting pulled over the other day because of a burnt out light bulb (had literally just burnt out that day, talk about bad luck lol), I was wondering if its possible to replace these bulbs with LED bulbs instead?

From what I know of LEDs they last a whole lot longer, but they do tend to heat up a bit. Anyhow would I have to do a full swap out of the connector/electronics. Or would this be as simple as just plugging in an LED bulb that fit my bulb socket (H7 for the low beams I think)?

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 16 May 2015, 14:01

I had the same problem for quite a while....without doing anything different it just stopped happening all on it's own. When it was annoying me I read somewhere on line that it could be due to voltage spikes...actually I lied I did change the alternator a while ago so maybe that fixed it! When it was happening I was going to fit a spike suppressor across the battery to prevent the voltage spikes...would be great to hear if anyone has done this and had success with it or knows if it would work.

T5S60 · Post by **T5S60** » 16 May 2015, 16:02

Could very well have something to do with the alternator... odd thing is I just replaced mine a little less then a year ago, which is when the issue seemed to start.

Post by **vtl** » 16 May 2015, 19:49

Try to use dielectric grease.

draser · Post by **draser** » 17 May 2015, 07:46

I'd measure battery voltage with engine running, shooting for 14.4 volts dc, and inspect bulb sockets to make sure they're clean.

Post by **vtl** » 17 May 2015, 07:49

Also hour many hours your bulbs are rated for? It could be that you drive long enough to kill the bulbs in half a year.

Mine burn out roughly every year, but I don't put the brightest ones.

SweedSpeed · Post by **SweedSpeed** » 17 May 2015, 21:24

Mine burned out faster than I could replace then until I replaced the wiring harness. Haven't replaced and headlamp bulbs in over two years. Like a $6 part.

Post by **abscate** » 18 May 2015, 05:09

Turn off the DRLs if your driving conditions merit it.

Don't do this if you are in heavy traffic urban areas where visibility is paramount.

T5S60 · Post by **T5S60** » 18 May 2015, 18:01

I typically drive about 9-11k miles a year. I would say 70% highway 30% city. Nothing ridiculous so I would expect the headlights to last longer then 6 months. My dad has a 2004 S60 and he put almost 30k miles on his car every year, but his headlamps last at least two years.

Either way I will probably look into the Alternator and see if that is the problem. I replaced the original with a NAPA Alternator about a year ago after the bearing in the alternator pulley went bad. I'm thinking I probably should have gone with a Bosch or OEM alternator instead of the NAPA.

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 22 May 2015, 01:20

OK - ignore everything I said in my previous post regarding the alternator. Got in my v70...turned the key and got the dreaded bulb failure again....the bulbs were new in Jan this year...both bulbs on the front went out! The car is used a lot for short trips so I had the thought that maybe the cause is voltage spikes on startup. I'm going to fit the over voltage protector I think and see if it helps.....but I won't know for sure until later in the year of course!