Xenon lights failure

[carfellow]

Hello,

I own a 2000 model station wagon (Opel). Good work horse.

During the pas 12 months the xenon headlights have gone completely mad.

Driving one night they completly went out.

Managed to get them on again after a whiile, and it spent most of its time with one light on and the other off. Sometimes the off light would come on but stay very dim.

Taken it to several garages, got new bulbs, but same problem reoccurring again.

It just blew two new bulbs and the mechanic has no idea whats goin on.

Drive away from recent repair saw the light go again. A few miles later they both went out.

Mechanic fancies a new light assembly, which is now going to be installed.

Any ideas what is happening there

Thanks to all in advance.

 

[Belle427]

if the lamps are ok then you have to start looking at the ballast and ignitors that strike the lamps

 

[carfellow]

if the lamps are ok then you have to start looking at the ballast and ignitors that strike the lamps

Thanks for the reply.

The mechanic is still looking for a second hand light assembly. He has no idea why they're not working or why it blows expensive 50 pond bulbs!

His only comment was hearing a buzzing sound which he couldnt trace.

For now it will be another repair bill getting the mechanic to put in the new assembly - who knows if that will work?

Thanks again.

 

[EddieM]

were they standard or retrofit?

 

[carfellow]

were they standard or retrofit?

The unit came off a similar model from a scrap yard.

Is there a difference?

 

[EddieM]

were they standard or retrofit?

The unit came off a similar model from a scrap yard.

Is there a difference?

Well I admit I have no practical experience of them but I read somewhere that HID's (I'm presuming they're HID's)can cause problems if not fitted correctly.