Bi-xenon issue

[Smokeyjoe]

My dipped beam went on my passenger side light. So I replaced the bulb and it still doesn't work. I plugged in the light unit to the working side and it still doesn't work so.. The issue is definitely headlight unit not car side...

 

What can I check what may be broken?

 

Thanks,

 

Joe

[Neilp]

It's the ballast that's away mate.

[Neilp]

Is it defo bi-xenon or are you high beams halogen? Bi xenon were only on post 2006 cars

Edited October 23, 2013 by Neilp

[KyleR]

Pretty sure Neil is right with it being the ballast. You can get em on eBay for about £50-£80 each an d it's a very easy swap over, especially since you have the lamp out already.

[KyleR]

Also make sure they're right bulbs you bought. D2R for pre 06 cars with the orange reflector down the side and D2S for the BiXenon 06+ With the 4 orange LEDs at the top corner.

[Smokeyjoe]

Cool thanks guys. Bought the right bulbs. What do you mean by the ballast? Also the problem fixed itself by the time I got to nissan lol. Thanks anyway il know for next time!

[KyleR]

The ballast is a power pack kind of thing the all xenon lights need due to the large voltage they need to start up.

[Neilp]

The ballast is a transformer that steps up the power to the voltage required or the lamp. A xenon lamp works with an ark(basically lightning) unlike a normal lamp which has a filament in it. The voltage required for the ark is around 20kv approx

[StevoD]

My Passenger side died this weekend how hard is it to swap bulbs?

[Smokeyjoe]

Harder than most cars but not too bad. All you need is a flathead screwdriver, 10mm socket and a couple extensions.

 

There is a decent guide somewhere on YouTube but Basicly..

 

Turn the wheels so you can pull the arch liners back enough to undo the two bumper bolts on each side. (Some people have three).

 

Open the bonnet and undo the 6 clips across the front of the bumper. (Flathead screwdriver lift up the middle section then pull the whole bit out)

 

Pull the two sides of the bumper loose then pull the whole bumper forward and down.

 

Then undo the 4 headlight bolts. 1 at the top, one on the side connecting to the wing. And two hidden underneath.

 

Pull the headlight out a little bit, undo the plug. Then pull the whole unit out. Put it on a towel or something soft lense side down, twist open the grey circle bit and it will expose the main and dipped beam bulb.

 

That's what I did. Took about 20 mins off 30 mins back on just because I kept loosing my socket down the inside of the bumper.

 

If someone has a better way please chime in. Sorry no pics!

[KyleR]

OR... do it with the lamp still on the car which saves 75% of the time, just remove the wheel if you need a little more room.

[StevoD]

takes 2 mins to remove the bumper complete would it make it easier with it all off rather than held back?

 

And removing the wheel on my car now takes more time now i have to use 2 jacks to get my car up high enough to get it off

[KyleR]

2 jacks?

[StevoD]

yea i have to use a jack from the rear get the as high as possible before a jack will fit under the front

[Dblock]

yea i have to use a jack from the rear get the as high as possible before a jack will fit under the front

 

I've got an old scissor jack I use to get it just high enough so I can get the trolley jack in.

[Neilp]

I have a low entry trolley jack which is about 60mm high. I have the same issue as stevo as my skirts are too low at front jacking points.

[KyleR]

That's what I thought you needed it for, I just use the scissor jack if it's just for a quickie like removing one wheel.

[StevoD]

scissor jack doesnt fit

[KyleR]

Really, even if you turn it on its side to squeeze under the skirt? I'm about 80-90mm off the ground and mine fits, you must be seriously dropped!