Ok...they left bulb was always dimm since day 1 but it kept me on the road...4 months later the bulb blew....replaced it a few hours ago and the "new" bulb is still dimm??

Any idea on what the problem is??

Its not alignment...ive already checked that...

one side is definately brighter...

dodgey connections? a short somewhere? just guessing...

Bulb in upside down

really??? or jus a wild guess?

Where did you get the new bulb - if it's a Bosch/Halfords one - they're $hit and will look dim in comparison to an OEM or quality aftermarket one (Osram, Philis, PIAA).

Check that all the locating lugs line up to where they should.

As you sugested, dirty contacts, but doubtful.

Try swapping the bulbs over (L with R).

Careful not to touch the glass when you replace them aswell.

Mark

[quote="PiMp323F"]really??? or jus a wild guess?[/quote] Seen it LOADS of times, one locating lug is round ands the other is square, the buld will fit either way though allbeit badly

when it stops raining i'll give both suggestions a shot...

ok..before i got a chance to check...the light blew..

Does any one know what that means??

means you need a new bulb!

Sorry couldn't resist. I think if you touch the bulb when fitting they tend to blow quickly.

Yeah - if you touch the glass, you leave traces of oil from your skin which reflects the heat of the filament back into the bulb, causing it to stuff out in no time at all.

Ok...took the bulb back and they said its to do with condensation and said these blue lines suggest it...

Now im no a genius but how would you fix this..Inside the headlight "visually"..there is no sign of condensation anywhere...

Would i need to open it up or has the idiot who supplied it lied??

when its cold do your light cases seem to steam up inside??

Its freezing yet nothing...ive checked that..no visual condensation whatsoeva

hmmm.... if there isnt anything there i would be dubious about the damage coming from any condensation....

ok...got a new bulb...and same problem and that blew as well...this time being really careful when fitting it so that i don't touch the glass....

So now what...Doubt if its condensation...cant afford more bulbs that last 3 days...

Any idea's??

Are you getting surges from your alternator I wonder, so that your lights are getting too high a voltage? Any other electrical weirdness happening on your car???

idle controls abit messed up...keeps dipping low to near stalling but gets ok after a while...I dont think its to do with the alternator because its that 1 headlight...the other one works fine...

I've been trying to figure this one out. The only thing I can think of is the voltage supply (as Marky Mark sugested). Any other problem would decrease the voltage supplied to the bulb, or increase the current drawn from the battery (but not by the bulb - ie. short circuit). I'm assuming you mean the left bulb as you are sat in the car (* your car - not another, facing the front, looking over the bonnet of the car you are sat in, the car with headlight problem where the left headlight bulb blows for no aparent reason - Just to make it perfectly clear (Smotter, Tom )). Check the voltage from the alternator (with car (see *) running) - it should be about 14.5 ish volts. Also check that the earthing points are good - particularly the one for the right hand side bulb.

Mark

i cant help but thinking about it ive had a similar problem recently upgraded to 100w bulb about 10 days later it blew fitted a new one then that blew. hoping it just me touching the flipping things cos they so fiddly.
so 3rd time lucky

Yep...ive tried 3rd time because i was pulled over for the second time....

Is it your left headlight by any chance??? ( Left whilst driving)

seem to be very common on the left??

first time it was then i swapped to check the bulb and the bulb was blown and the right hand side went then

Im assuming that the fuse is correct?

And that for example, you havnt stuck in a 6 inch iron nail?

:D

me? all i can say is i thinks so no nail

I've just had my head lights aligned this afternoon as they were miles out. The mechanic said he's adjusted them as best as possible but the passenger side one is a lot dimmer then the drivers side! He had no solution either although he did remove the bulb and check it was working and seated correctly. He wants to strip the unit down if it's still rubblish. this sounds expensive, especially as mine has the motorised leveling on it. Hope we can get a resolution to the problem ??

Are 100w bulbs not illegal as dipped beam?? I thought 70w or 80w was the max?

hey phil...thats exactly the same problem as mine...i dont want to take my headlight apart either...I no other 323f with similar problems..

Wander if its a common problem with these....

Just a quick update...My currect bulb has been running twice as long as expected (6 days) but im still nervous...

Phil..is it the left headlight??...Because i think it has something to that headlight...3 mazdas including mine have similar problems and yours is the 4th ive heard

Could be a disease

If you're sat in the drivers seat it's the left, the one nearest the kerb in front of the battery. At night it's actually bright enough to light up the kerb nicely, so maybe its correct??

Just out of interest, this unit has powered leveling but the one on the drivers side doesn't, shouldn't both of them be motorised?? Mine a 97 ZXi

i think they should be...it doesn't make sense if they are not..maybe one was replaced...

I also like to point out..
The owner of this car. http://www.maz323f.co.uk/cars/fredrikja ... kjaren.php
Has the same problem...(left headlight)

Its putting me off buying another 323f as theirs too many minor problems...eg. heatshield..ventilation..etc

Someone told me the other week that my headlights were out of alignment, and one was brighter than the other. It passed the MOT no probs a few days later -

The passanger side light aims pretty much downward and the drivers side straight on - both have the electric levelling and work fine.

I think its just the way they were made to be honest - gonna try some brighter bulbs again tho soon, last year bought halfords ones - CRAP - so gonna go for something different.

Oh Dan, you'll notice a difference when you ditch the Halford$ bulbs! - I did!


Mark

i just bought some osram silver stars, supposed to be 50% brighter and i have to say that i have been quite impressed.

just need to sought out the alignment now! not sure that my slef levelling thingy works. what should i be looking for? i have the V6 and it has the little wheel on the left of the steering wheel to adjust the headlight pitch but not a lot seems to happen when i rotate it, any ideas any one?