SC430 chronic light-burning-out problem
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 45
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From: Texas
SC430 chronic light-burning-out problem
Hello! I'm back at it again with another of my sc430 problems! This time it is with my brake light and my dome light. So I was just driving along and all of a sudden, my rear light warning indicator came on in my dash. I go take a look while someone is holding the brake pedal and the right side brake light is not working! So I think no big deal it's just a burnt-out bulb. So, I changed the bulb. Welp, it died again. So, this time I took it to the dealer and it worked as I was driving out, even though the light on the dash was still on, (I was in too much of a hurry to get somewhere,) and as I checked again maybe one or two days later, it burned out AGAIN. Now I'm mad. I took it there again and told them it was burnt out AGAIN. So they changed out the bulb AGAIN. This time the light is not on. well, two days later IT. DIED. AGAIN. This time I've had it with the dealer. They recommended me "A diagnosis" which costs 300 dollars lol. And I have also had the same problem with my dome light which died about three times now in one month. All three times I replaced it myself with an AutoZone bulb. Does anyone know why they keep burning out?
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
Driver
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 19
From: FL
Hello! I'm back at it again with another of my sc430 problems! This time it is with my brake light and my dome light. So I was just driving along and all of a sudden, my rear light warning indicator came on in my dash. I go take a look while someone is holding the brake pedal and the right side brake light is not working! So I think no big deal it's just a burnt-out bulb. So, I changed the bulb. Welp, it died again. So, this time I took it to the dealer and it worked as I was driving out, even though the light on the dash was still on, (I was in too much of a hurry to get somewhere,) and as I checked again maybe one or two days later, it burned out AGAIN. Now I'm mad. I took it there again and told them it was burnt out AGAIN. So they changed out the bulb AGAIN. This time the light is not on. well, two days later IT. DIED. AGAIN. This time I've had it with the dealer. They recommended me "A diagnosis" which costs 300 dollars lol. And I have also had the same problem with my dome light which died about three times now in one month. All three times I replaced it myself with an AutoZone bulb. Does anyone know why they keep burning out?
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,398
Likes: 455
From: GA
Most likely it is a connection issue as mentioned by implantgs4. Bulbs burning one after another is a bulb issue.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 661
From: AZ
Did you make any changes to your light bulbs before this issue occurred? Perhaps change some of them to LED? Or maybe put in a new stereo or backup camera?
When you originally changed the light bulbs, do you recall having any problems putting the new bulbs in?
When you originally changed the light bulbs, do you recall having any problems putting the new bulbs in?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 13
From: Texas
yea actually I did install one of those autozone wireless backup cameras but that was before I had the issue. I don’t know if the problem was there before or not because the car was new to me at the time.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 355
From: CA
Well, just an opinion here. But the only thing that can shorten bulb life is extreme current, bad batch of bulbs during the manufacturing process or vibration while the bulb is lit. Its just a lightbulb. So lets look at tye possibilities:
1. Extreme current. Since there is a single power source for the entire vehicle, it is unlikely. Now if you said you had other intermittent electrical problems, I might wonder about the alternator.
2. Bad bulbs. There could be something about the manufacturing process that has caused the bulbs to have a shorter lifespan. Possible.
3. Vibration. Only you can that.
Bulbs are just resistors. Electrical current is converted to heat, in this case light. But I will be very interested in how this gets resolved.
Paul
1. Extreme current. Since there is a single power source for the entire vehicle, it is unlikely. Now if you said you had other intermittent electrical problems, I might wonder about the alternator.
2. Bad bulbs. There could be something about the manufacturing process that has caused the bulbs to have a shorter lifespan. Possible.
3. Vibration. Only you can that.
Bulbs are just resistors. Electrical current is converted to heat, in this case light. But I will be very interested in how this gets resolved.
Paul
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 13
From: Texas
Well, just an opinion here. But the only thing that can shorten bulb life is extreme current, bad batch of bulbs during the manufacturing process or vibration while the bulb is lit. Its just a lightbulb. So lets look at tye possibilities:
1. Extreme current. Since there is a single power source for the entire vehicle, it is unlikely. Now if you said you had other intermittent electrical problems, I might wonder about the alternator.
2. Bad bulbs. There could be something about the manufacturing process that has caused the bulbs to have a shorter lifespan. Possible.
3. Vibration. Only you can that.
Bulbs are just resistors. Electrical current is converted to heat, in this case light. But I will be very interested in how this gets resolved.
Paul
1. Extreme current. Since there is a single power source for the entire vehicle, it is unlikely. Now if you said you had other intermittent electrical problems, I might wonder about the alternator.
2. Bad bulbs. There could be something about the manufacturing process that has caused the bulbs to have a shorter lifespan. Possible.
3. Vibration. Only you can that.
Bulbs are just resistors. Electrical current is converted to heat, in this case light. But I will be very interested in how this gets resolved.
Paul
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 355
From: CA
Well. I certainly wouldn't spend that kind of money for a diagnostic. They will never find a random bulb problem. Two different bulb types in two different locations popping doesn't really indicate a problem unless it happens instantly. Especially since they very well may have come out of the same packaging. At least not in my book.
If you are sure the bulb is blown, try a bulb purchased from a different location. Some people like to change bulbs on both sides figuring that if one is dead, the other is about to go too. I don't know about that one, but if it's a headlight bulb, yea. Just because they are a PITA to change in the first place. You could have a problem with the fixture itself I guess. Swap the bulb from one side to the other and replace the bulb in the opposite slot I guess. The Map Light fixtures are pure trash. Never figured out how they even made it into the SC's in the first place. The wires are literally riveted into place. Mine were intermittent until I took the whole assembly out and used a punch to compress the rivet down on the wire again. Try using some conductive grease too. Keeps out moisture. Available in small packages at any parts store for a couple to three bucks. Only takes a dab. Enough in one package to last a lifetime. Just thoughts.
Paul
If you are sure the bulb is blown, try a bulb purchased from a different location. Some people like to change bulbs on both sides figuring that if one is dead, the other is about to go too. I don't know about that one, but if it's a headlight bulb, yea. Just because they are a PITA to change in the first place. You could have a problem with the fixture itself I guess. Swap the bulb from one side to the other and replace the bulb in the opposite slot I guess. The Map Light fixtures are pure trash. Never figured out how they even made it into the SC's in the first place. The wires are literally riveted into place. Mine were intermittent until I took the whole assembly out and used a punch to compress the rivet down on the wire again. Try using some conductive grease too. Keeps out moisture. Available in small packages at any parts store for a couple to three bucks. Only takes a dab. Enough in one package to last a lifetime. Just thoughts.
Paul
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Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 292
From: CA
My dome light kept going out (it was out when I bought the car too). I tightened the metal ring that holds the bulb in place with my fingers, now it's sitting more snugly and not going out.
Not sure if this is your problem, but I thought I would mention it just incase.
Not sure if this is your problem, but I thought I would mention it just incase.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 661
From: AZ
Also, the camera had to be grounded, so maybe the power is back feeding through the ground?
If there is an easily accessible fuse for your backup camera, I would take it out. Drive around for a week and see if it solves your light bulb problem. (at least the rear one)
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 13
From: Texas
Haha that seems to be exactly my problem! I will go tighten it today and see what comes out of it. Currently none of them are dead but I will put in a “dead bulb” to check.
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