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[rollacorolla]

Hi all,
The headlights on my Elite W reg estate are really crap - can't see a damn thing on a busy road at night 
I have to take a long trip tomorrow night and need to sort them out asap. I sanded and polished the lenses this morning which helped a little but I really think the problem is just old or useless bulbs.
I think I have the projector type - no washers and it has the level adjustment wheel below the headlight switch.
Because time is short and I don't want to risk breaking the fragile adjuster on the headlamp, I'm thinking of taking it to Halfords in the morning to get them to fit a couple of H1 bulbs.
So... am I asking for trouble by getting them to do the job? 
And which bulb should I get from them - Halfords, Bosch or GE?
Thanks.

[RobG]

Standard fitment on Elites are HID`s
Switch should be like this

[05omegav6]

Must be the only Elite without xenons... if you must go Halfords, then get their extra bright bulbs. Preferred choice would be Osram Nightbreakers, but you'll struggle to get them on a Sunday 

[rollacorolla]

Thanks Rob. I'm not at all mechanically minded so please excuse the dumb questions 

[RobG]

When switching headlights on do they gradually power up? (and is your switch the same as in the pic). May have had bumper changed at some point hence no washers

[rollacorolla]

Headlights come on immediately when switched on.

[rollacorolla]

I there any way I can confirm what type of bulbs I have by looking at the headlight?

[Nick W]

Are you sure that the adjusters aren't already broken? That will make them 'adjust' so that they illuminate the road about half a metre in front of the car.


Mine were like that, fitting metal adjusters allowed the height adjusters to work properly

[RobG]

Standard switch would indicate projector lights (H1 dipped). If you manually adjust the lights via the wheel can you notice a slight variation in beam height? If so you have standard projectors. If Osram nightbreakers aren`t available you can try these
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=H1+bulbs&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

[RobG]

Easiest way to check for busted adjusters: remove rubber dust cover at rear of light unit, if you can "rock" the reflective part of the headlight the adjuster is knackered

[rollacorolla]

When I manually adjust via the wheel I can definitely notice a variation in the beam height.
I'm getting more than half a metre of illumination  just not bright enough.
I will check for bust adjusters in the morning.
Thanks for all the helpful advice 

[rollacorolla]

One more thing - if the adjusters are ok, is it easy enough to change the bulbs myself or should I get Halfords to do it?

[Nick W]

One more thing - if the adjusters are ok, is it easy enough to change the bulbs myself or should I get Halfords to do it?

It's fiddly, but not difficult.

[05omegav6]

Standard switch would indicate projector lights (H1 dipped). If you manually adjust the lights via the wheel can you notice a slight variation in beam height? If so you have standard projectors. If Osram nightbreakers aren`t available you can try these
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=H1+bulbs&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

Picture of switch proves only that the switch has a load adjuster wheel... need to see a picture of the top of the headlight unit... this will also confirm the bulbs fitted/required

[rollacorolla]

Must be the only Elite without xenons... if you must go Halfords, then get their extra bright bulbs. Preferred choice would be Osram Nightbreakers, but you'll struggle to get them on a Sunday 

Is that because all the other Elite owners upgraded their headlights or they should all come standard with xenons and somehow mine didn't?