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Author Topic: When do you replace HID bulbs  (Read 1670 times)

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bigdods

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When do you replace HID bulbs
« on: 26 February 2009, 22:29:30 »
I've had my Facelift Elite for 1.5 years now and the Xenon headlights have always been rubbish. But then so were the normal headlights on my previous mini faclift so I thought thats just the omega way.

I had them checked at an MOT place today and they confirmed that they are already at the highest legal setting.

The problem is that they only project a short way in front of the car then there is a clear line where they just stop and all beyond is darkness....

Garage suggested that as the Xenon bulbs are now 9 years old they should be replaced as they will have lost a lot of their brightness/throw. Now at £80 a bulb (or probably something close to that) I dont want to just change them and hope things improve.

So has anyone done this, do Xenons really degrade over time ?

Cheers

Dodsy
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Dave Elite

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #1 on: 26 February 2009, 22:44:53 »
I know I'm new here but if you replace them, they will still have a crisp cut off on the beam. Thats how they are supposed to be.  Replacing the bulbs will not extend the beam. Hope that helps Dave
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MutantCav

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #2 on: 26 February 2009, 22:47:15 »
Have the adjusters in the headlights snapped perhaps or the sensors failed thus the headlight setting is set fully down perhaps...
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Elite Pete

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #3 on: 26 February 2009, 22:48:50 »
Quote
Have the adjusters in the headlights snapped perhaps or the sensors failed thus the headlight setting is set fully down perhaps...
Thats more than possible. I have 5 sets and there's only one headlight with an intact adjuster :(
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Dave Elite

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #4 on: 26 February 2009, 22:50:03 »
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Have the adjusters in the headlights snapped perhaps or the sensors failed thus the headlight setting is set fully down perhaps...
I thought that but he says the mot station said they are at the highest legal setting.
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TheBoy

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #5 on: 27 February 2009, 08:16:03 »
Quote
I've had my Facelift Elite for 1.5 years now and the Xenon headlights have always been rubbish. But then so were the normal headlights on my previous mini faclift so I thought thats just the omega way.

I had them checked at an MOT place today and they confirmed that they are already at the highest legal setting.

The problem is that they only project a short way in front of the car then there is a clear line where they just stop and all beyond is darkness....

Garage suggested that as the Xenon bulbs are now 9 years old they should be replaced as they will have lost a lot of their brightness/throw. Now at £80 a bulb (or probably something close to that) I dont want to just change them and hope things improve.

So has anyone done this, do Xenons really degrade over time ?

Cheers

Dodsy
That is correct for all HID lights
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bigdods

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #6 on: 27 February 2009, 09:55:58 »
Quote
Quote
The problem is that they only project a short way in front of the car then there is a clear line where they just stop and all beyond is darkness.....

Dodsy
That is correct for all HID lights

I thought it might be the case, the monkey that designed the Omega headlights needs a good hard slap. Its the only thing I dislike about Omegas.

Time to invest in some night vision goggles then  ::)
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Jimbob

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #7 on: 27 February 2009, 10:00:28 »
one of mine failed at about 9 years old.

The replacement pair do illuminate better.

Without comparing to a known good omega, not sure what you can do to improve things.
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Chris_H

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #8 on: 27 February 2009, 10:50:25 »
Quote
I had them checked at an MOT place today and they confirmed that they are already at the highest legal setting.

The same happens for me and should you experiment with raising them the main beam points at the sky!

There are strict rules on not dazzling oncoming drivers.  That's the underlying issue.
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robby30

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #9 on: 27 February 2009, 11:53:39 »
hi mate we had the same problem with our xenons i replaced both the bulbs at a substantial cost but the difference is amazing. Now i can see again! they only throw light for the same distance obviously but now its so much brighter, well worth doing

rob
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jereboam

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Re: When do you replace HID bulbs
« Reply #10 on: 27 February 2009, 12:32:17 »
You can get replacement bulbs online (buy-it-now on eBay) for about £20 a pair - they're OK, but I don't know how long they will last.  Whatever, it's better than paying the £150 each that Vauxhall ask for!
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