In the last year and a half, my P5 has blown 5 low beam headlight bulbs and one front turn signal. In the 9 years I've been driving I haven't replaced that many headlight bulbs in all my other cars combined. I'm always careful not to touch the bulb when installing them, so I know its not an installation issue. Anybody have ANY idea what the hell could be wrong with my car?

 

Yep- I generally replace them in sets and they generally blow in sets. One goes, then the other goes within 2 weeks.

 

You sure alternator is not over charging?....too high voltage?

or

Is maybe moisture getting into housings?

or

Are you driving on very bumpy roads?

 

This would be my first guess too. Have you noticed any condensation in the headlight housings?

Secondly, if it's nothing as obvious as condensation, I'd take it back to the dealer and have them look at it. Take advantage of the warrantee while you can.

 

i just blew my 4th low beam tonight. the side that blows changes but my warranty is up on my lights so i have to go buy them now

 

I do indeed get condensation in the housings. I'l be calling the dealer to schedule an appointment this week. Maybe this wouldn't bother me so much if the damn bulbs Mazda chose for the P5 weren't so friggin expensive.

 

they are just cheap(i say but when you have to buy 4 bulbs) silvania bulbs. as long as you are under normal warranty, they replace them for free. I don't get condensation at all in my lights, and its only my lows that burn out, i'm gona go buy cool blues today so i can exhange them when they burn out

 

are the bulbs perfectly clean when you install them. if you touch the glass with your fingers it can cause them to burn out.

 

my elements on my bulbs burn out, its not from oil getting on the bulb causing it to explode.

 

Without getting into great detail, I have proven to myself and others that there is an electrical failure in the drivers side low headlight wiring harness. Not only have I had to repair/replace harness's, but I have done so under conditions, more than once (several P5's in the area) along with replacing headlights due to smoke, condensation, etc. And yes, we are talking stock along with aftermarket bulbs.

- Brian

 

i haven't had to replace my harness yet, just both the low beams twise. but if the bulb busted from condensation then the high beam should too b/c the 2 bulbs are not sealed from each other. i put cool blues in so i will tell you how they hold up

 

It's kinda funny, everyone in here is talking about how the headlights burnout so easily, especially the driver side and I have a driver side burnout on me on sunday. Is it a problem that Mazda has to fix or will we just have to eat and keep replacing bulbs? Oh I have had my 2002 P5 since Oct. 2001 and this is my first replacement. This is the fastest I've ever had to replace a headlight before on a new vehicle.

 

Hmm, there might be something strange going on. My driver's side low beam blew out recently too! But it has lasted for more than a year, and it's those aftermarket HID look bulbs (Showoffs).
That's what I expected for the lifetime of those aftermarket bulbs anyway (actually longer than expected).

When I had my honda civic (for 6 yrs), it seems that the low beam on the driver side tends to burn out more often too! I rarely have to replace the passenger side... maybe it's vibration or something?

Let's start a poll!

 

Took the car in this morning. They ran all sorts of tests and couldn't figure out whats wrong.

Looks like I'll have to start buying bulbs by the case...