Internal Light Keeps Blowing......why?

[hartsongs]

I have an old Avensis Estate....2002. It's done just short of 100k mikes.

Over the past year or so I must have changed the courtesy light (the one in the middle) about 4 times. The thing keeps on blowing. I buy the bulb that Halfords have in their book.....it's a 5 watt. I'm thinking that it's not enough, should it be a 10 watt? Anyone got any advice or a similar experience?

Thanks

Paul

[alan333]

Check that the bulb is a fairly tight fit. It's not uncommon for a loose bulb to blow regularly.

[Konrad C]

I had to change the unit because it was shorting, causing the dome fuse to blow.

Got mine secondhand from eBay about a year ago. They look the same but the internals are better on the replacement.

[hartsongs]

Thanks Konrad. i think i may have to do the same as the fuse does blow too.

Looks like I'm wasting my time replacing bulbs and fuses.

Did you fit the unit yourself?

[hartsongs]

Alan

Sorry, missed your post but.....you may have a point. The bulb is quite loose in the holder. I could try a bigger bulb and see if it does the trick. The next bulb up is a 10 W but it's about half the size again......it may work. Thanks

[Aidan-]

I would try what Alan suggested and check that the connections are tight first before replacing the unit a whole lot cheaper and I try not to touch the bulbs with my finger's use a cloth or gloves when handling the bulb.

[Aidan-]

Just squeeze the terminals in a bit to tighten them up

[hartsongs]

OK I'll try that first. The terminals aren't the same on both sides. One is static and the other is springy so maybe its not holding it tight enough. Thanks

[Parts-King]

The bulb should be a 12v 10w short festoon bulb, as mentioned above, it should be a tight fit inside the metal lugs. The bulb is an unusual size, get one from your dealer to ensure it is the correct fit.

Kingo

[hartsongs]

Kingo.....that might explain the problem, the bulb wattage. The Halfords book says its a 5w 12v bulb. It is a short one. To be honest it is rather dim. This was their own make. However there were some 10W but they weren't the same size as the 5W. It may fit though. Unless i can find a smaller one. Thanks.

[Konrad C]

Thanks Konrad. i think i may have to do the same as the fuse does blow too.

Looks like I'm wasting my time replacing bulbs and fuses.

Did you fit the unit yourself?

Hi Paul,

The bulb holder on my older light fitting was loose and the conductive parts came into contact with the each other or earth.

No matter what I did the light worked when the bulb was installed, then within a minute it the dome fuse blew. It was hard to find where the short was happening so I got a second hand light fitting. As I have said it was identical externally, but conductive tracks are routed differently and more sturdy and secure. The sprung bulb hold is better in this respect. Only one side is sprung, not both sides. This makes installing the bulb less fiddly. The part numbers are different.

I made an observation in other models in the Toyota range, and notice that they all use the same light design outwardly. The colour may vary. So long as the screw holes are in the same position and the plug fits, you can use any fitting.

Just use yours as a template.

You know when the dome fuse blew when the central locking stopped working, the trip counter will go back to zero, clock lost time, interior lights, plus a few other things.

I hope my experience has made the problem clearer to understand.

Konrad

[Parts-King]

Kingo.....that might explain the problem, the bulb wattage. The Halfords book says its a 5w 12v bulb. It is a short one. To be honest it is rather dim. This was their own make. However there were some 10W but they weren't the same size as the 5W. It may fit though. Unless i can find a smaller one. Thanks.

Yes the bulb is an odd length compared to other manufacturers, but it is deffo 10w, get the right bulb from your dealer and save yourself long term hassle

Kingo

[hartsongs]

Kingo and Konrad.......hey, what a great name for a double act !!

Thanks so much for your input.

I'll try the 10W bulb first and see how that goes.

I've had the fuse blow like you say Konrad....it's knocked out the central locking and the audio unit too.

If it's still playing up then it must surely be the unit itself and i'll get a replacement.

Are you using 10w bulbs Konrad?

[Konrad C]

Paul,

Every reply to your query has given the correct answer.

My handbook that came with my car confirms the bulb is rated at 10w. It also calls the festoon bulb 'double end'!

Konrad

[hartsongs]

Thanks Konrad......I'm using the wrong bulb.....it's double-ended as it should be.....but it's the wrong wattage. I'll get it sorted this afternoon and hopefully, this will do the trick. I'll be back if it doesnt. Cheers.

[Yunner]

You could try led lights, should last way longer. eBay is best bet, very cheap from hong kong. I've got them in my avensis, they are much brighter than standard lamps and use a fraction of the current.

[cmia]

i want to add something for informational puporses.

The actual light fitting on the roof and where the metal bulbs are can have play behind.

This causes the bulb to move. Please remove the light fitting before you spend any more money on bulbs.

[hartsongs]

Thanks for your help here. I did change the bulb and, touch wood, it's been ok since. However I'm liking the idea of LED bulbs. The brightness of the bulbs could be improved and this could be an answer.

[cmia]

Yes, generally they are brighter.

But you pay for what you get in LED bulbs.