Best way to improve xenon headlights?

[Ducklakeview]

Is it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!

4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.

Mike

Is it bumper off to replace xenon ballast mike? me right one's gone pop. it's def the ballast and not the bulb sadly.
Was going to clean up the lenses on both while i'm at it....

Yup as it's at the bottom of the lamp, and trapped by the metal mounting bracket..

Mike

[Chris_D]

4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.

Mike

Is it bumper off to replace xenon ballast mike? me right one's gone pop. it's def the ballast and not the bulb sadly.
Was going to clean up the lenses on both while i'm at it....

Yup as it's at the bottom of the lamp, and trapped by the metal mounting bracket..

Mike

drat.
thx for the confirmation.

[Ducklakeview]

Is it bumper off to replace xenon ballast mike? me right one's gone pop. it's def the ballast and not the bulb sadly.
Was going to clean up the lenses on both while i'm at it....

Yup as it's at the bottom of the lamp, and trapped by the metal mounting bracket..

Mike

drat.
thx for the confirmation.

Have you checked the igniter? Also, if the lamp has water in it, the connector on the ballast ISN'T waterproof, so it drains right into it. I've rescued a couple by opening and drying them out, for some mad reason, the PCB isn't potted like it it on even the cheap ballasts..

Mike

[Chris_D]

Yup as it's at the bottom of the lamp, and trapped by the metal mounting bracket..

Mike

drat.
thx for the confirmation.

Have you checked the igniter? Also, if the lamp has water in it, the connector on the ballast ISN'T waterproof, so it drains right into it. I've rescued a couple by opening and drying them out, for some mad reason, the PCB isn't potted like it it on even the cheap ballasts..

Mike

yer. swapped the bulbs igniters over and still no cigar.
Left to presume it's the ballast as I came back from Germany one week and noticed the headlamp was misted up. back cover off and it was like a friggin swimmin pool in there. obviously leaked through and shorted out.
oh well. it can wait til after winter. not drivin it much atm anyway. still got the Skoda Superbfantasticdivineoutstanding to play with

[Attilio]

Your best bet is...

Leaving the headlight on the car, take the lamp out and you can undo a few nuts and remove the projector, you will find it is covered in a dirty film.. This will improve the light output.

Hi bradz,

looking at the lens I noticed that the parabolic mirror (the projector I guess) has a "milky" appearance. I guess that is what you are describing.

Are you talking about accessing the lamp and projector from the wheel arch? I looked at the engine bay and it seems very "crowded"! I am assuming it is necessary to remove the front wheel...

Also only today I realised that only the outboard/external bulbs light up for dipped and high beams...what are the inboard/internal bulbs/lens for?

Thanks in advance!
A

[Ducklakeview]

Yours is a facelift, so will have bi-xenons. The "inner" doesn't have a bulb as such, just a small lamp for the halo - Yes, this can be done from inside the wheelarch.

Mike

[Attilio]

Yours is a facelift, so will have bi-xenons. The "inner" doesn't have a bulb as such, just a small lamp for the halo - Yes, this can be done from inside the wheelarch.

Mike

Thanks Mike!

Will give it a go but guess it will have to be done by removing the wheel or at least jacking up the car to create more room...

now off to get a jack and stands

Happy Christmas by the way!

Attilio

[Ducklakeview]

Yours is a facelift, so will have bi-xenons. The "inner" doesn't have a bulb as such, just a small lamp for the halo - Yes, this can be done from inside the wheelarch.

Mike

Thanks Mike!

Will give it a go but guess it will have to be done by removing the wheel or at least jacking up the car to create more room...

now off to get a jack and stands

Happy Christmas by the way!

Attilio

It's doable with the wheel on, but it needs the car raising for clearance. If you've not done it before I'd advise removing the wheel.

Mike