Headlamp failure

[davedonoghue]

Has anybody had a headlamp fail yet on the X350? Can the transformer be reapaired or is it replacement only? Is it a seperate unit or is it a complete headlamp assembly? Do you need to remove the bumper to get at it?
Thanks, Dave.

[cbr900rr]

try the earth strap just behind the headlight. There is one on bothe side. both mine had coroded and a new hole drilled to rectify. My Jaguar dealer says its quite a common fault.

[cbr900rr]

Has anybody had a headlamp fail yet on the X350? Can the transformer be reapaired or is it replacement only? Is it a seperate unit or is it a complete headlamp assembly? Do you need to remove the bumper to get at it?
Thanks, Dave.

the igniter for the xenon unit is around £150 and can't be repaired. Bulb is also the same sort of money but I really suggest you try the two earths on either side. They might look ok but undo them and you'll see the alloy it bolts to has all furred up & corroded

[AlanC]

Reference HID headlights, see the article in the Jaguar Enthusiast, this Month (2011 Edition 9 - or September, if you still work on a calendar). Full instructions how to remove and overhaul, including UK and US contacts for obtaining electronic controls, lamps (bulbs) and internal leads at far less than OEM whole unti prices. Be advised that, even in the very short run of the X350, there are two types of HID headlight, each of which has different internals. All details are in the article.

All best and happy tinkering.

"Let there be Light"

[AlanC]

By the way, the control units for HID headlights do seem to be sealed "black boxes" (see earlier comments on this BB). However, I don't believe in "black boxes" any more than I do in Father Christmas (now). So, at mention of "black boxes", the angle grinder comes out (or some other tool to open them up).

In the case of the HID control unit (which forms the base of the headlight assembly, once you have that out), the two halves are held together by the aluminium lugs of the "top" being pushed through slots in the base. By carefully easing the lugs' ends into a straight line, the top can be released and the contents (lots of electronicky things) revealed.

In my case, the intermittent operation of the headlight was due to a "dry joint" on one of the soldered joints of a component onto the board. A good amateur electrician ought to be able to spot that original maufacturing defect (it was quite obvious when that joint was compared with the others, through a magnifying glass). Then a bit of very careful soldering and insulation with some epoxy glue (Araldite or similar) did the job.

Finally, push the two halves back together and bend the ends of the lugs back, so that the halves are secure.

Loosely put the headlight unit back together again and connect it up to the car's wiring, to check operations. "Phew", mine did.

If it works, then you have saved yourself about £150. If not, well at least you had a go!

All best.

[robv12]

mine didn't work!!, the ballast was full of water and totally u/s I source a new one from these guys in Edinburgh

http://www.hidorigin.com/

£125 inc postage, 24 hour delivery, brilliant, job done

[AlanC]

Rob,

Yes, HID Origin are the UK people I spoke to, as well (as per the article in JE). They work closely with the company in the USA and are very helpful. Well done for fixing, with new ballast unit.

Alan