Poor headlights

[PTR200Jag]

I am concerned that the light output from the headlights on my 2002 is not good enough.

Having used the car in the dark a lot recently the light output is marginally better that my 1969 GT6.

The lenses are clean and not misted or scratched so either the standard bulbs are dying (is that possible?) or there is a connection problem? or the standard lights are just crap.

Is there any sort of "jaguar benefit" I should know about or should I shove some nightbreakers in it ?

[PaulE]

If your car can accept improved bulbs such as Phillips X-Treme Vision plus 130% you can get them from Powerbulbs via a very good service on - line. There is a guide so you can check suitability. I have used them for years on my 1994 XJS and the lights are improved beyond imagination but I would have expected your 2002 car to be fitted with a later and better system.

Your GT6 will certainly benefit by using them.

[J44EAG]

I fully agree.

I`ve used a similar 130% Halfords supplied lamp kit. Believe me when I say these upgrade lamps really do what it says on the box. I had these lamps on my old V8 S-type and they totally transformed night driving. They are also street legal 55w rated so no issues there. Perhaps the only downside of using these lamps was a tendency for the poly-carbonate lens material to yellow a bit over a year. That could be quickly removed with a cloth and rubbing compound. It was a small matter to routinely attend to, given that the extra illumination was so very good.

The new owner of my old S-type remarked to me the other evening on how good he found the dipped headlights on the car. Far better than any other car he had ever driven. If I were to compare them with the HID units I have on my X350R, I would say the up-rated Halfords units win by a considerable margin. Costs are about £30 for a pair. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Mike K

[PTR200Jag]

Thanks for the information guys, appreciated.

Have discovered the existing dip lights are h1 Long life versions as standard.

Apparently jaguar specify the long life versions that run slightly "cooler" and therefore dimmer than "ordinary" h1...
Sounds odd to me but I suspect part of problem is old bulbs at the end of their life. By contrast the high beam is fabulous.

How long are the halfords bulbs running before replacement?
Some forum postings suggest only a matter of months ??!!

Anyway will invest in some sort replacement and see

[J44EAG]

I ran these Halfords lamps for over four years and never had one blow.

The reason I went the Halfords route was that I knew that if I bought the lamps at Halfords originally, if one eventually blew, I could nip into any Halfords Branch anywhere in the UK and easily source another identical lamp.

I suspect that the Halfords units are probably supplied by Phillips or other well known lamp manufacturer. Halfords are only really order takers, all be it with branded products, They are probably not the makers.

There are reasons why lamps may blow. Over voltage/poorly regulated battery charging, vibration, age or impact to name the most obvious causes.

I believe the way we operate our technical advice sections on this site leads to us to have constructed some of the best and most reliable information around. Those contributing here generally have a very high standard of knowledge based on years of experience. On other forum sites, I`ve often found some advice given to be built on very shaky foundations. I think it important to be very choosy with advice given from some sources. In the case of lamp blowing, then I would certainly be asking a question to those posting, asking if they had carried out a voltage check to ensure their alternators were providing a correct charge voltage state. That is likely to be the most common form of end user miss-use of even the highest quality vehicle lamp..

Hope that helps.

Mike K

[PTR200Jag]

Thanks for that, Mike, I have just pulled out the left side H1 and the glass base to metal connection is heavily discoloured from heat.. the right hand one is stuck,,,,,,,,,,

The righthand side is the one that looks as if the light cone is twisted to the left and down in relation to the normal direction... maybe its burned out of its socket.
Anyway, I will need to get wheel off to get at it properly, job for tomorrow...

The manufacturer info on the lamp I have got out is an Osram halogen 55w so if Jaguar used Osram as standard then it's a few years old !

[PTR200Jag]

Have ordered a pair of Osram nightbreaker unlimited, H1, at £11.59 the pair delivered !

Will report back on any improvement ( or not ) in vision/ light output and also longevity which was a concern with the earlier version of nightbreakers.

[PTR200Jag]

Just been out with the new Nightbreaker bulbs in, big improvement on standard but that wouldn't take much
Much whiter/ brighter light with improved definition at the edges but do make the side lights look out of place ! need some led in those now !

Just really need to see how long they last

Really want HID like my other motor, nothing to beat them !

[richard.whittington]

Hi all
My first xk8 (manufactured in 1997) had a very poor dipped beam.
My second and current xk8 (manufactured 2001) is no better I am amazed that such a high tech. car in other respects, has such a fundamental deficiency.
In addition to the above, condensation accumulates on the Lenses, that diminishes the effectiveness of the lights .
There, I feel a lot better having said that, now I have to find the solution
Happy days

[mike020150]

You could try fitting the complete later HID lamps obtained from a breaker. They are much more suitable for brisk motoring at night. Mike.