sasilverbullet

Between the 3 bulbs in each headlight (H6, parking - H3, fog, and the headlight), so 6 total, on average I've been replacing one every month or so. I've made sure my headlights are mounted tight.

Keep in mind I drive my car 5 to 6 days week, about 2 hours a day driving time, and I ALWAYS have at least the fog lights on for safety.

You guys have the same problem? How often to yours fail? I use the standard bulbs from the auto parts store.

cds72911

Never had a bulb go bad on either of my 996es.

Dharn55

In19 years of ownership I have had one headlight bulb burn out. Replace both when it happened. I think you have a problem.

808Bill

There's more to this story I suspect. Have you or the previous owner done any electrical up grades, changed to LED, sound system etc?

sasilverbullet

Nope, completely stock. I was thinking vibration...

DBJoe996

I pulled the headlights out and replaced all the bulbs....about 12 years ago. Still going strong. But....but...I noticed that the headlight wiring insulation was very brittle and just fell off. Wrapped in electrical tape now. No replacement wiring harness is available. Maybe your wiring is shorting out?

Jaycote

I had the same issue as DBJoe.....my fog light wiring was brittle and the wires were exposed. Nearly every day it'd burn a fuse or burn a bulb. I taped them up with electrical tape and have not had a problem since. I went to my local dealer to purchase a new wiring harness for the fog light and they could not come up with a part # or find the part anywhere.

sasilverbullet

When I pulled the passenger side unit out last night to replace the small parking bulb (H6), I noticed the plastic around the wires was cooked hard and brittle, with a few little pieces of insulation broken off.

So I taped up all the wires I could get to, let's see what happens! (I'll do the driver's side this weekend)

5CHN3LL

Nice - hope that does the trick. I agree that it seems that something is awry with your electrical system - I've never replaced a bulb that wasn't damaged by flying metal debris on the 996, nor the 986 before it.

wyovino

Hope that fixes the problem. I've never had to replace my bulbs in 10 years of ownership. You should check the wattage of the headlight bulbs. If they're over 55 watts, that might be your problem. I changed my bulbs to Sylvania Silverstars when I bought my car. They are the same 55 watts but are brighter. I was concerned that the brighter bulb might damage my lenses so I contacted Sylvania. Their response: The energy can be used to produce light or heat. A 55 watt bulb that is brighter than a standard 55 watt bulb will produce less heat. Counter-intuitive I know, but true.

wildbilly32

You guys drive these cars after dark!!??

Seriously never had a front end light burn out. However, did have to renew the wiring harness in a tail light due to insulation degrading and socket failure issues. Sounds like age is breaking down the insulation on our cars.

Mike Mullins

I've had corrosion build up on the turn signal bulb base. It took me multiple times to get it cleaned up to where it does cause a failure issue.

I've had the experience to where I've lost one build , then replace it, then the opposite side fails.
I attribute this to a change in resistance with the new bulb in that circuit which in turn burns the old bulb hotter until it then fails.

I make it a practice now of replacing both bulbs in the circuit now at same time.

Phiphe

04 c4s, original owner, 50k miles, never

Mike Murphy

I used to drive my Boxster S with the headlights on for safety. Definitely went through a headlight or two because of the added time. I no longer drive with the fog lights on, even though it’s safer, I only activate those when needed.

sasilverbullet

Morning 1 hr drive is dark, so all lights on.
Afternoon it's over 100 here and I have the parking lights and front fog lights on.

So yes, they do generate a lot of heat.