Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: egcc on 29 January 2014, 17:12:19

Title: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: egcc on 29 January 2014, 17:12:19

Hi all, sorry if there is already a thread regarding the same .. I have tried to find one  with no joy.

I have a Omega 2003  model with xenon lights.

The passenger headlight some times lights up and sometimes does not when I turn on the lights.
When it does light up after turning on and off quickly the bulb will stay on for ever, until I turn it off again.. and then the same procedure is required in most cases.

I think the ballast maybe at fault.. is there a vid showing how to replace it or its location, any information will be appreciated.  I have seen a replacement on ebay  with a bulb  >>  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OPEL-OMEGA-XENON-HEADLIGHT-BALLAST-PACK-PHILIPS-BULB-GM-90565932-/310705648275?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AVauxhall%7CModel%3AOmega&hash=item48577ff293   

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: RobG on 29 January 2014, 17:17:40

PM sent.
Have you tried swapping bulbs?

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 29 January 2014, 17:18:17

I have one of these which you can have for half that!

PM me if you are interested  :y

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: egcc on 29 January 2014, 17:26:37

Quote from: RobG on 29 January 2014, 17:17:40

PM sent.
Have you tried swapping bulbs?

If the bulb is defective...  could it light up as normal one day and not the other?  unsure so I thought maybe the power/Ballast.

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: egcc on 29 January 2014, 17:37:06

I will remove the headlight at the weekend and see if there is any poor connections to the ballast,  or borrow the ballast from the other side to test.

Is the Ballast easy to get to?

Thanks again

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: amba on 29 January 2014, 18:17:59

Ballast unit is machine screwed to underside of headlight unit so can only be removed with entire headlight out of car.

Be carefull when removing the light unit as the sharp edges of the ballast can quickly scratch bumper paintwork..I put a thick towel on the bumper to protect .

Word of warning...disconnect battery earth and leave car for around 1 hour before touching lights as yo want all the stored energy in ballast to have gone..nasty shock if not. :o

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: egcc on 29 January 2014, 18:24:29

Quote from: amba on 29 January 2014, 18:17:59

Ballast unit is machine screwed to underside of headlight unit so can only be removed with entire headlight out of car.

Be carefull when removing the light unit as the sharp edges of the ballast can quickly scratch bumper paintwork..I put a thick towel on the bumper to protect .

Word of warning...disconnect battery earth and leave car for around 1 hour before touching lights as yo want all the stored energy in ballast to have gone..nasty shock if not. :o

Thank you for your help..

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: TheBoy on 29 January 2014, 19:16:38

Does sound more like bulb. Does it have a purple tinge to it?

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: dbug on 29 January 2014, 22:52:28

Easier to swap bulbs from side to side to see if bulb or ballast ;)

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: egcc on 03 February 2014, 12:14:39

Hi, Will remove headlight today and possibly swap the ballast... before I do.. can the ballast be removed without actually opening up the sealed headlight or is the replacement simply external.

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: RobG on 03 February 2014, 12:35:11

Quote from: egcc on 03 February 2014, 12:14:39

Hi, Will remove headlight today and possibly swap the ballast... before I do.. can the ballast be removed without actually opening up the sealed headlight or is the replacement simply external.

Thanks in advance.

Yep, self-explanatory once light unit is removed

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: egcc on 03 February 2014, 12:42:04

Thanks Rob.  :y

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: egcc on 03 February 2014, 14:44:47

Thanks all for your help .. I changed  both ballast and bulb just incase... all is working .. bring on the darkness  ;D

Title: Re: XENON Ballast Box
Post by: Keith ABS on 03 February 2014, 18:42:49

  If it has a cheaper lamp fitted then it will do this. had the same problem until one day both decided not to light up again. the more you pay for replacement lamps, the better they will be. My replacement pair cost £75 posted
Keith B