One eyed monsters, EVERYWHERE

LeoB

I have been amazed at how many cars are driving around with only 1 headlight working.

Last Friday evening in Skerries between the roundabout at the railway bridge and the shady lane I passed 5 cars in a row with only 1 headlight working. Between Loughshinny and Rush I passed about 7. This evening was worse on the same stretch of roads. On my way to work most mornings I pass a few cars and vans with only 1 headlight. This is lethal especially on a dark road.

I have become more aware of this this past while as my bulbs keep blowing, I have replaced 5 since about March and its very annoying. I am about to start googling to see what I can find out about lights blowing in cars as it seems every few cars is missing a headlight or tail / brake light.

Time to start telling our neighbours and friends if we see a light gone in their car.

Paulw

I've actually never had a headlight go in the car. I must be lucky. But, I have seen plenty of cars driving with one light. Some fools even try to compensate by turning on their fog lights. :mad:

LeoB

Seems it is quite common from reading a few bits. I have them changed in a garage as Citroen fittings are fragile / awkward to change especially the back lights.


https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20121202045105AAKIXMb

LeoB

Paulw wrote: »

I've actually never had a headlight go in the car. I must be lucky. But, I have seen plenty of cars driving with one light. Some fools even try to compensate by turning on their fog lights. :mad:

I got caught Paul and have to admit to using my fog lights until I got a garage.:P

Seems one problem is handling the bulbs without gloves. The oils on your hands touching the bulb can cause them to blow as it causes hot spots, or so Iv just read.

Tropheus

When you're driving at night, try counting ten cars in a row without defective lights. That includes blown bulbs, misaligned lights and using fog lights inappropriately. You'll be doing well to get to 10 that don't fit the inappropriate criteria in a row.

LeoB

Tropheus wrote: »

When you're driving at night, try counting ten cars in a row without defective lights. That includes blown bulbs, misaligned lights and using fog lights inappropriately. You'll be doing well to get to 10 that don't fit the inappropriate criteria in a row.

Agree. I often wonder if the cars components are just cheap copies unless you go back to main dealer. I am back in garage tomorrow but this time I will only accept Citroen recommended bulbs.

bcmf

At least they have lights on. Am out early in the morning and the amount of people who dont even bother to check if they put any lights on. NINJA STYLE MUPPETS...
Almost as bad are the new cars with DRL's (Daytime Running Lights). Front lights always on but no rear lights.

neris

LeoB wrote: »

I got caught Paul and have to admit to using my fog lights until I got a garage.:P

Seems one problem is handling the bulbs without gloves. The oils on your hands touching the bulb can cause them to blow as it causes hot spots, or so Iv just read.

i had one bulb go on old car and had to use fogs. Its not the best but at least cars coming towards you know your a car with a blown bulb rather then a motor bike. Dont know how the car was wired but 1 bulb gone meant the other 1 wouldnt work. I think the car makers have made the modern cars in such a way that you cant do the simplest task without having to bring the car to a garage.

Grolschevik

On modern cars, it can be a real pain to change bulbs. Some require the bumper to be removed. No surprise people put it off...

Riesen_Meal

Speaking of no lights I was coming down the R132 last night towards Balbriggan about 9:20PM in the lashings of rain and some poor soul was cycling up the road, with no high viz on (in that weather!) and one tiny flashing LED on his back, dunno how he wasn't taken off the bike!

Back on topic - I think the one eyed monsters are generally just more noticeable at this time of the year with it getting dark early etc.....

Wishbone Ash

Fieldog wrote: »

.... and some poor soul was cycling up the road, with no high viz on (in that weather!) and one tiny flashing LED on his back....

Sometimes cyclists are in a no-win situation!.

sgarvan

Drove from the M1 bridge to the graveyard junction in Balbriggan the other day and I counted 13 cars that passed me with only 1 light.

Nearly had a smash on the 3 lane part of the M1 over this. I was in inside lane moving to the middle. Looked over my shoulder and nothing was there or so I thought. Didn't see the car as there was no passenger side lights.

It is a disgrace at this stage. The amount of cars like this is unreal. Something really needs yo be done. I tweeted @GardaTraffic about this and they said lights are regularly checked at checkpoints and fines are issued. I think it is time for an Operation LightUp by An Garda Síochána.

The Black Oil

See 3-4 every morning whilst waiting for the bus and a few in the evening as well.

The Black Oil

Tis the season...

LeoB

The Black Oil wrote: »

Tis the season...

Tis and it is starting again.

I got my bulbs changed in a main garage btw and not one gone since. They were 2 or 3 times the price I was paying and the lad said they were just cheap bulbs.

Tropheus

A main dealer is the last place you want to go to get a bulb replaced. Halfords will do it for you for a small fee if you don't want to DIY.

LeoB

Tropheus wrote: »

A main dealer is the last place you want to go to get a bulb replaced. Halfords will do it for you for a small fee if you don't want to DIY.

Depends on what you are buying. Some of the bulbs are pure dirt. Cheap and not long lasting. It is a challenge to change some of the bulbs now as some of the fittings are screwed in unlike when you just clipped out the holder behind the bulb. I have not changed a bulb in my car for over a year before that it was every 3-4 weeks at €5-7.50 per bulb. Cost me more for a bulb in the main dealers but have saved a good few €uro in 12 months.

Donal55

Guards were out in Athlone last night checking for it. Wished they'd follow it up with tractors and trailers.

The Black Oil

3 in the last 24 hours.

theoneeyedman

Wait a minute.... What???

Dizzyblonde

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Wait a minute.... What???

Cars with a broken headlight

You'd think with all the checkpoints that there would be less of them around.

The Black Oil

I got my car serviced last July. I've only put 1,000km on it since then.

grassylawn

Fiddly job I just pay for them to do it in halfords when I get the bulbs.

Wishbone Ash

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

Cars with a broken headlight ...

It's gone over your head - look at his username!


(...and regarding checkpoints - the thread is 7 years old).