Xenon bulbs - factory fit 2002 GSi (non AFL)

[gtr1000]

Just when I think the car is running really well (what can go wrong next?), I get the dreaded "check o/s headlamp bulb" (or words to that affect).

So I check the lamp and the lights are OK. I had this before with the rear stop lights and sure enough eventually the bulbs don't work at all so I'm expecting the worst with the factory fit Xenon bulb - it'll give up shortly.

I think I'm OK replacing it but a few questions:

1) Do you really have to drop the bumper or can a I get away with just removing the air box trunking?

2) Is the factory fit Xenon a D2S or something else? Haynes or the VX owners manual don't refer to types. I am going to order one (or two?) so I'd like to know before I whip the old one out.

3) Given the horrendous cost of these darned things, can anyone point me in the direction of the cheapest source?

Thanks chaps

Sorry, #4) If they are D2S, what brightness do I need - 4300, 6000, 8000 candel or something else?

[BlueRob]

answer to question No. 1...
Yeap you can reach the headlight unit just by removing the airbox unit...or at least remove the top part of it. Hope you have small hands

[Stu14t]

Answer to Q2.

There is a bit if a debate going on with this but I'm fairly sure that the xenon bulbs are D2S in pre-facelift.

Answer Q3.

There are many companies selling them and you can get them on eBay also for around £30 - £35 or better.

Answer Q4

The "K" is kelvin or colour temperature and not the brightness. Standard fit is 4300k (Clear White) and they are the brightest. As you move up to 6000K (crystal White) this is nearer to daylight white with a tint of blue and finally 8000k is a blue white. However, as you go up the kelvin scale the light output drops.

4300k is OEM and you could fit 6000k but it could fail an MOT for anything higher as there would be too much blue in the light.

[gtr1000]

Many thanks for your replies - Stu14t, that really helps me out. I'm going to get a pair of D2S and wait for the day when the o/s packs up (hope it is the bulb ) and change both as I read somewhere that the performance of "old" bulbs can drop off and you would see a marked difference with one new one and one old one.

Again, thanks for your help.

[jamesr]

I have a set of Original Bulbs for sale £25 the pair.

It is easier to drop the bumper, as the bulb covers are held on with 3 torx screws.

[Stu14t]

I read somewhere that the performance of "old" bulbs can drop off and you would see a marked difference with one new one and one old one.

Again, thanks for your help.

Funny thing is new bulbs tend to under perform until they "burn" in.

Hate to say this but there are other components involved with HID. There is a ballast which steps up the voltage and there is also an ignitor. It could also be one of those playing up

[gtr1000]

Funny thing is new bulbs tend to under perform until they "burn" in.

Hate to say this but there are other components involved with HID. There is a ballast which steps up the voltage and there is also an ignitor. It could also be one of those playing up

Given that the warning first flashed up and I was on a dual carriageway, I cancelled the warning, then turned the lights off then back on and then stopped about 10 minutes later and both lamps were on.

As it could be something else, where would you start and in what order? I OK with mechanical things but pretty lost when it comes to electrical bits

[gtr1000]

I have a set of Original Bulbs for sale £25 the pair.

It is easier to drop the bumper, as the bulb covers are held on with 3 torx screws.

Thanks for that, do you know how old they are? These may well be a possibility but I'll wait a wee while just to see what other bits might be the root cause.

[Stu14t]

As it could be something else, where would you start and in what order? I OK with mechanical things but pretty lost when it comes to electrical bits

It's very hard to say. It could be a simple as a poor connection, Hids don't like being turned on and off and then on again when they are "hot" and will often not re-strike until a few mins. I would just wait and see HID bulbs should last the life of the car.