The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay What is up with these bulbs

I have a set of the reproduction tail lights on my 49 gmc. Each tail light has two single filament bulbs inside. I am using bulbs that say 12v on the package, however, I can't seem to keep bulbs alive in one of the tail lights in particular. I check em, and they are indeed burned out when I change em. What the heck is up?

Are they burned out or broken filaments? Burned out would indicate an electrical problem, broken filament would indicate a vibration problem.

hmmm. I will have to get the bifocals out to be sure.

Are the bulbs made in China? I bought a whole box of Chinese made headlight bulbs for my '38 (prefocus base) and none lasted more then a few seconds before burning out.

I have been getting them at the local auto parts places. I do think the packaging said sylvania....but also said made in china. None of them seem to last more than one or two rides.

I guess China doesn't seal the bulbs well enough, air gets in and poof. I work a parts store and the returns are crazy on China-made bulbs-many blow upon the first use. Chinese quality is lacking.

That is what I am starting to think here. I also got a headlight from the same flaps that was not glue together squarely. It would not fit in the headlight retainer ring. Being out in the boonies, I gently nipped off a fraction of glass off the outer rim to make it fit. If I had been in town it would have gone back to the store forthwith.

You may by sending a shock wave to the bulb when you close the hood. Slamming the hood sends good jolt to the bulbs in some cars.