At 04:20 PM 1/15/2001, Karen Olson wrote:
>There was no melting, more a tiny jagged broken piece, out of the side of
>the glass bulbs.
>
>The discoloration was uneven white-off white, like the inside of a seashell.

Ok, that's very significant.  That means that the lamp envelope broke
first, while the filament was still intact.  The filament operating in air
burns and produces a cloud of titanium dioxide which is white.  You'll
probably find some on the lens and reflector too if you look carefully.  Of
course with two filaments, it could be either one that burned, or both.  If
you still have the  bulbs, take a careful look at both filaments.

Unfortunately I have absolutely no idea about the hole, other than possibly
a drop of water while hot -- or Martians.  I believe Martians are fond of
taillights.  The drop of water is quite plausible, that's typically how
bulbs get broken without being mechanically smashed.  But there would have
to *be* a drop of water...two, in fact.

david

David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"