Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Road Hog Mad on 15 October 2008, 18:00:10

Title: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 15 October 2008, 18:00:10
Bloody Vauxhall!

OK I have the Omega MV6 3.0 V6 with XEON headlights, over the past few months the headlights have been wonky.

I turn the headlights on and the nearside one wont light up, I turn them on and off again and it will work. So I didn't realy worry about it.

Recently over the last week its refusing to work, despite turning them on and off and on a number of occasions by accident turning on my interior light with frustration.

I've taking the light unit out and cleaned the contacts, there was no sign of damp.

I've also noticed when I turn the headlights on the nearside one blinks but doesn't light up, sort of like a fluorescent that wont light up lol.

It could possibly the headlight switch, I don't know yet but saying that it blinks when I try and turn in on, possibly the nearside is defective.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: feeutfo on 15 October 2008, 18:17:56
have read on here that high intensity discharge bulbs,hids, do that when they are on the way out. Maybe someone who has had to replace can advise, not had any trouble with mine othere than field of vision warning.
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Big_Mart on 15 October 2008, 18:33:54
Sounds like the bulb or ballast pack under the headlight i would try the bulb first.
p.s i have a set of gen bulbs taken out of my car when i uprated mine  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: RobG on 15 October 2008, 18:35:05
Quote
Bloody Vauxhall!

OK I have the Omega MV6 3.0 V6 with XEON headlights, over the past few months the headlights have been wonky.

I turn the headlights on and the nearside one wont light up, I turn them on and off again and it will work. So I didn't realy worry about it.

Recently over the last week its refusing to work, despite turning them on and off and on a number of occasions by accident turning on my interior light with frustration.

I've taking the light unit out and cleaned the contacts, there was no sign of damp.

I've also noticed when I turn the headlights on the nearside one blinks but doesn't light up, sort of like a fluorescent that wont light up lol.

It could possibly the headlight switch, I don't know yet but saying that it blinks when I try and turn in on, possibly the nearside is defective.

Any ideas?
Swap bulbs over. If still the same possible ballast pack on the way out :)
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: sev on 15 October 2008, 18:51:21
it ain't vauxhall!

I think you'll find that most manufactuers use the same crowd for all their lamps!  The lamps are cheap enough, it's the ballast packs that cost, this is why most mfr's like then packing up during warranty periods  ;D

If it is the packs, it may be worth looking at aftermarket kits as they will probably work out cheaper.  I can see Vx charging for the whole lamp unit complete - merc, audi and BMW certainly do.
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 15 October 2008, 18:55:49
i took the headlight unit out at one point to clear the contacts, its really awkward.

when you lift up the bonnett and remove the plastic trim near the battery you need very tiny hands to get it because the bit were the bulb goes is screwed in by 4 screws.

I assume you take the headlight unit out and undo the screws and replace the bulbs?

i'll try and got some photos
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 15 October 2008, 19:06:41
(http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8684/15102008299aw6.th.jpg) (http://img399.imageshack.us/my.php?image=15102008299aw6.jpg)(http://img399.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

(http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6286/15102008300uh3.th.jpg) (http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=15102008300uh3.jpg)(http://img220.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9946/15102008301tj6.th.jpg) (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=15102008301tj6.jpg)(http://img217.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Big_Mart on 15 October 2008, 19:34:59
its easier to take out the headlights and wear goggles when fiddling with hids as they have extremely high pressures inside :y
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 15 October 2008, 19:47:48
(http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/5417/smallbi9.gif) (http://imageshack.us)


The bulb looks like this if I remeber correctly. If my memory is as good as I think it is i'm sure it looked a barstuard to get out or that it was sealed.

One would assume from what i've said that when you turn the lights on it just has a quick dull flicker and thats it, does this mean that it is the bulb?
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 15 October 2008, 20:05:08
http://www.xenonbulbs.com/pdf_manuals/xenon_bulb_info/xenon_bulb_failure_analysis.pdf

found this.

it appears mine is failing to ignite although it trys
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 16 October 2008, 19:18:53
take it its the bulb then?
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 19 October 2008, 19:27:07
found some cheap ones... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330280070560&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

£50 for two with free p&p, better than £149.99p each from Vauxhall.
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: feeutfo on 19 October 2008, 21:00:26
Would say so, thanks for all the info. Will all come in handy when mine go. Probably when i most need them. When you fit them would you mind letting us know how they compare to the old ones. Brighter whiter etc...
Im suprised more members havent posted on this tbh.
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: MutantCav on 19 October 2008, 21:24:33
Hmmm thought I had posted on this lol

Had this on mine...started regularly second time, eventually wouldnt fire up fully...then not at all...replaced bulb alls fine...disconnect battery for a GOOD 10 minutes before replacing bulb to allow power to discharge...undo the 3 20 torx screws from the back of the headlight bulb remove cover and unscrew the black plastic bit that holds the bulb in...swap bulb, do reverse...

If its notbulb its the ballast pack failing...

Can find bulbs on ebay for about £30 for 2 genuine philips D2S bulbs...stick with genuine the cheapies tend to fail quickly...
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: TheBoy on 19 October 2008, 21:49:21
Whats a XEON headlight. I thought XEONs were Intel server processors.  Now Xenon headlights, I've heard of them  :P
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Jimbob on 19 October 2008, 22:13:53
When one of my bulbs failed, it went very pink / purple 1st.

I replaced the pair with a cheap pair off ebay, been fine for a yearish.

I would, however buy a lower colour temp set next time, bought 6000k.
vauxhall genuine are 4300k and a better light.
Title: Re: Xeon headlights problem
Post by: Markjay on 20 October 2008, 16:11:59
When my 'meega was new, I went to Vx to buy a spare bulb just in case.

Vx said they bulb cost £80, but they don't stock them because they never fail, other than through a frontal impact.

Mine certainly worked fine for the 6 years I owned the car...

And yes, I took the passenger-side headlamp out to get to the bulbs, it's either that or the remove the battery.