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[addy]

The passenger side dip beam bulb, keeps blowing on my wifes 1995 2.0 omega estate. It is OK for a couple of months then it just goes. I have checked the earth and power lead both seem ok and tight.  Has anybody else had this problem and if so what did you do to solve it.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[amba]

Assume you have checked the light is secure and not vibrating causing the bulb to blow

[addy]

Thank you for the quick reply.
I have checked the earth and power connectors, both seem tight and clean, scraped the earth connection point where the earth goes to.  The spring that holds the bulb looks tight, would it hurt if I was to bend it slightly, to increase the pressure on the back of the bulb, just incase it isn't quite holding it tight enough, so as you say it is slowly moving when going over bumps?

[cam.in.head]

its worth sticking a meter on the battery when engine is running to make sure its not overcharging.(higher than 14.5v when revving up) but obviously this wouldnt just affect 1 bulb !. other than that if the light doesnt have loose reflector as suggested causing a vibration and no signs of water on the bulb then its just pure bulb failure.nothing else electrically can cause a bulb to blow .no real reason to bend retaining clip unless its obviously slack.but do pay attention to any excessive up/down movement of reflector as these lights are prone to adjusters breaking.

[Chazza12]

make sure you not buying cheap bulbs, and no fingerprints on the crystal glass, also check the bulb reflector make sure its secure as the adjuster can crack and wobble about in the housing.

[addy]

I never touch the glass of the bulbs as the oil from skin, can blow the bulb. I have checked the reflector, no movement. Took bulb out and then with the main power reconnected back onto the dip beam, tried the body of the bulb against the earth terminal on the battery.  The light is trying to intermittently light. Does anyone know which wire is which on the main loom connector, that plugs into the back of the headlight?  I can then check with metre if the wires are ok.  Hoping it is in the headlight unit wiring. Will any headlight unit from any year fit, or does it just have to be from any around 1995? I have found plenty from 1997 onwards, are these the same wire input from the main plug?

Thanks in advance
Addy

[Chazza12]

head light from any year fit, but i would check the connector cluster they are the round pins they can shrink and be a loose fit on the connectors, this would cause light flicker. use a flat head screw driver and spread the conecto back so has a tight fit again. 

[addy]

Thanks for the reply. I took the headlight unit out to get a better look.  The bulb was loose in the part where it sits, so adjusted the spring that sits against the back of the bulb, it doesn't move now, couldn't see it without taking the unit out.  Checked all the wires for continuity and ok, also for power to the round connector.  Did a check for dirt and loose pins, cleaned the connector block on the back of the light and the main loom connector with electrical switch cleaner. Tried a new bulb in before fitting the unit into the car, everything is ok, even when wiggling the wires so hoping it is sorted.  I was thinking of changing the units to the later ones, as they are alot better style reflectors than the old ones.  The ones on the car are halogen, can I just purchase units that are non Xenon (Halogen only) as found these :-
 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Omega-1997-1999-LH-Left-Hand-Headlight-Non-Xenon-9117187/200967585895?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

[Chazza12]

yeah that light fine, they are better than the squares type.