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Author Topic: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.  (Read 5104 times)

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twiglet

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #15 on: 18 November 2012, 13:09:06 »

I'm probably stating the obvious, but are the headlight lenses cloudy on the estate?

Do you mean the small round glass bit for the dipped light that looks the same as a H4 projector headlamp?  Or do you mean the plastic overall cover bit?

Sorry if I'm being fick  :-[ ::) :o

 :y
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malcy_p

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #16 on: 18 November 2012, 16:00:09 »

Righty!

Got out there after lunch and swapped a bulb from the saloon to the estate. In the top photo below, the original (dim) bulb is on the left, the bit where I'm guessing the arc forms is heavily coated on the inside with dull grey deposits. On the right is the bulb from the saloon - clearly clearer!  :)

Bottom photo - it's hard to judge in the daylight, but I'd say one side was brighter than the other!  8)

Both bulbs are Osram 35W standard units - so I guess the answer is they DO fade over time.



/malc.
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twiglet

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #17 on: 18 November 2012, 23:18:41 »

They definitely do fade over time mate.  Looks to me like you have confirmed the problem is with the bulbs.  :y

Interesting though, you have noticed this problem because you have 2 Omegas with HID's so you can make a direct comparison... I wonder how many people are driving around with completely knackered HID bulbs, but are none the wiser...  :-\
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Mr Gav

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #18 on: 19 November 2012, 18:35:30 »

At least we now have a visual check so we know what we are looking for.
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Keith ABS

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #19 on: 20 November 2012, 14:39:14 »

  I had thta problem when I first got my estate. No one would belive me until they were in the car and asked if I was going to turn the headlights on. They were amazed at how bad they were. They would strike up as normal, go through the light up and colour sequence but then would dim right off. It almost reminded me of when we used to get the dim-dipped system on headlamps in the 80,s. Bought a set of 8500k lamps from a company doing a deal with ABS members and the only prob I have now is they dont like striking up in the cold. Have to"bump" start them some times by switching on and off a few times before they both strike together.
Keith B
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kcl

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #20 on: 22 November 2012, 11:18:49 »

P.S. Having a 30 second look in the dark, how do you change the HID bulbs? Surely not 'head light out' is it??

Airbox out and battery out was the best way I found.

Whole headlight unit out is easier IMHO  :y
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Lazydocker

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #21 on: 22 November 2012, 16:06:14 »

P.S. Having a 30 second look in the dark, how do you change the HID bulbs? Surely not 'head light out' is it??

Airbox out and battery out was the best way I found.

Whole headlight unit out is easier IMHO  :y

Me too, certainly on a facelift :y You can be more gentle fitting the bulbs too (as you can see what you are doing) so less likely to shatter the highly fragile adjusters ;)
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malcy_p

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #22 on: 22 November 2012, 18:54:00 »



New bulbs arrived today  :D  All the way from Poland, despite the Flea-bay listing saying Bishop's Stortford...  ::)  No matter, they seem legit Philips items and for £22 (each) delivered I'm happy so far.

Fitting this weekend it is then!

/malc.
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malcy_p

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #23 on: 22 November 2012, 18:56:55 »

Me too, certainly on a facelift :y You can be more gentle fitting the bulbs too (as you can see what you are doing) so less likely to shatter the highly fragile adjusters ;)

LD - just seen your location... we share the IP12 postcode!  :)
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HockeyDave55

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #24 on: 22 November 2012, 19:23:03 »

I wonder how many people are driving around with completely knackered HID bulbs, but are none the wiser...  :-\
[/quote]

That'll be me then! My lenses need a polish so I'm getting the 3M kit and I have some bulbs at work... :y
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malcy_p

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #25 on: 22 November 2012, 20:38:58 »

That'll be me then! My lenses need a polish so I'm getting the 3M kit and I have some bulbs at work... :y

3M kit??? What is??  ???

/m.
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Lazydocker

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #26 on: 22 November 2012, 21:26:29 »

Me too, certainly on a facelift :y You can be more gentle fitting the bulbs too (as you can see what you are doing) so less likely to shatter the highly fragile adjusters ;)

LD - just seen your location... we share the IP12 postcode!  :)

So we do... Just peeked at the map and we aren't far apart at all :y

If you spy a really dirty 03 estate then it's probably me :-[ :-[ Not had chance to get it cleaned for a while and taking the dog for a walk in the forest doesn't do it any favours ::)
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VXL V6

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Re: Dim factory-fit HID headlights - 2001 3.0 MV6 estate.
« Reply #27 on: 22 November 2012, 22:12:04 »

That'll be me then! My lenses need a polish so I'm getting the 3M kit and I have some bulbs at work... :y

3M kit??? What is??  ???

/m.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-Headlight-Lens-Restoration-System-/230857378461?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35c02c0a9d

I've done two of our cars with these kits now and they are very good.  :y
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