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[malcy_p]

Afternoon all 

Title says it all - I have two Omegas, the white estate and a black 3.2 saloon. Both have HID Xenons but the difference in light output is immense. The saloon's headlamps are bright and crisp whereas the estate is positively dangerous in the dark evening traffic on unlit roads. Main beam on the estate is ok, but both HIDs are poor.

Anyone seen this problem before or got any thoughts? I'm going to try one of the bulbs from the saloon in the estate at the weekend to see if it's the bulbs, but could it be a bad connection or earth in the circuit?? 

Thanks

/malc.

[Entwood]

Are the HIDs "pinkish" in light output ?? They seem to have a tendency to go "pink" as they wear out/fail ...

Swapping one over seems a good idea to em ..

[twiglet]

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

[malcy_p]

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 

[malcy_p]

Are the HIDs "pinkish" in light output ?? They seem to have a tendency to go "pink" as they wear out/fail ...

Swapping one over seems a good idea to em ..

Didn't get around to swapping the bulbs yet - but the estate's lights are much more "yellow" to look at - as less painful close up too.  The saloon's are bright white and ouchy!

[malcy_p]

Just been out and photographed my headlights.



I metered the two photos against the main beam light, which should look the same in each photo. The xenons on the other hand do not... 

/malc.

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

[VXL V6]

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.

[Andy H]

Given how fragile the headlight adjusters are I would say yes

I did try changing bulbs on my car without removing the headlights but I just cannot get my hands in to the tiny spaces 

[malcy_p]

So guys/gals, are these OK? Seem very cheap for genuine Phillips bulbs?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Philips-D2S-Xenon-Bulb-Philips-type-85122-85122-4300K-/200849125042?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2ec38a6eb2

/malc.

[RobG]

If genuine as ad states they`re the ones

[malcy_p]

If genuine as ad states they`re the ones

Two ordered... so that's another job for next weekend   

[D]

The top headlight looks like a standard bulb rather than xenon. Are you sure it is a Xenon headlight?

[D]

If genuine as ad states they`re the ones

Yes, good question. Seems remarkably cheap with free shipping as well.

[malcy_p]

The top headlight looks like a standard bulb rather than xenon. Are you sure it is a Xenon headlight?

Defo HID - got the ballast and other gubbins attached to the back of the unit and does the xenon bright-dim-bright 'ignition' sequence. Used to be much brighter and more like the lower photo. 

[malcy_p]

If genuine as ad states they`re the ones

Yes, good question. Seems remarkably cheap with free shipping as well.

Hmmm - things that look too good to be true often are... but I'll wait to see what arrives and go from there. If they're dodgy they'll be going back and I'll do a charge back on Paypal. 

[twiglet]

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 

 

[malcy_p]

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! 

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



/malc.

[twiglet]

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

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... 

[Mr Gav]

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

[Keith ABS]

  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

[kcl]

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 

[Lazydocker]

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 

Me too, certainly on a facelift 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

[malcy_p]

New bulbs arrived today    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.

[malcy_p]

Me too, certainly on a facelift 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! 

[HockeyDave55]

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...

[malcy_p]

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

3M kit??? What is?? 

/m.

[Lazydocker]

Me too, certainly on a facelift 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

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

[VXL V6]

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

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.