Scorpio Headlight Failure

[ntmccarty]

My Scorpio keeps burning out the headlight bulbs.Help
Mac

[Ed Lijewski]

There is a short circuit somewhere-need to closely look at exposed wiring (not wrapped/bundled). Also, a faulty ground connection might exist-the grounds for the headlight circuit probably are not easily visible, they may vonnect to the frame where the radiator is mounted on each side.

What have you done so far to find the source of the problem?

YMMV (Lived in Brooklyn Center years ago...)

[Ed Lijewski]

Also, Colin Doyle, on this Forum, lives in St. Joseph, MN and knows Merkurs in and out. Consider contacting him.

YMMV

[ntmccarty]

My High beam bulbs were burnt so I put in a set of the expensive blu/white bulbs. (off brand)
Then they both worked for a few days but then the high beams burnt.
Then I put in Sylvania ultra brite and that worked for awhile but then high and low beam elements burnt.
The fuses never burnt. This is getting expensive.
I bought a new socket to see if I have a bad socket. I will be working on it today to try to determine if a socket is bad.
I wouldn't think a bad ground would burn the elements.
I looked in my repair manuel and found no hints on where to look for problems.
I am searching for Colin Doyle without success perhaps because my 78 yr old computer illiterate mind is hard wired.
thanks for any help.

Mac.

[ntmccarty]

Scorpio Headlight bulbs keep burning out..

Oh I just remembered.
A while back I was driving at night and the lights kept going on and off and the Scorpio ran irradically and finally quit. I traced the problem to a short in the Battery cells.
I got a new battery and that problem was solved. It was after that that the headlight problem came up. There is probably a connection. Some things did get hot when the battery shorted out but it seemed to run OK and I got the lights to work after that for awhile but perhaps something fried.

Mac

[Ed Lijewski]

Colin@forestmushrooms.com is Colin Doyle's email address.

You might have your alternator checked to see if the regulator/rectifier is allowing voltage or amperage spikes. Most auto parts stores can do that with the a lternator on the engine. I'd do that first, since you've had a battery issue with the problem developing after that.

Grounds are a remote possibility which I mentioned only because your post didn't say the fuses had blown.

YMMV

[Colin]

Mac, have you tested your alternator? As Ed said, it could be overcharging.

Does the battery/charging light illuminate when the car is key on/engine off?

[Bob Weir]

Hi Mac,

I’ve sent you a “pm” titled “How to get a FREE MCA Membership for 1 year!”

Email me if you have any questions regarding membership.

Bob Weir
Membership Coordinator
Merkur Club of America
BWeir4u@rcn.com