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97 XK8 poor headlamp / headlight illumination

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Old 01-18-2014, 02:56 PM
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Unhappy 97 XK8 poor headlamp / headlight illumination

The Headlamps on my 97 XK8 are absolutely useless when dipped. What are my options?
I've replaced bulbs but that hasn't helped.
Can I upgrade to better headlamps? HID? LED?
I've seen other people have had this issue but havent seen anyone that has solved it.
 
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Old 01-18-2014, 05:07 PM
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I noticed this too - do the uprated bulbs make no difference at all?
 
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Old 01-18-2014, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Russell P
The Headlamps on my 97 XK8 are absolutely useless when dipped. What are my options?
I've replaced bulbs but that hasn't helped.
Can I upgrade to better headlamps? HID? LED?
I've seen other people have had this issue but havent seen anyone that has solved it.
I have fitted an aftermarket Hid kit. Plenty of info on this forum on it. It makes a world of difference.

bought mine on e bay.

regards
 
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Old 01-19-2014, 02:44 AM
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Can u name some suggestions ( like what did you actually buy - Brand/item or eBay ref nos.) cheers
 
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Old 01-19-2014, 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted by LondonXK8Boy
Can u name some suggestions ( like what did you actually buy - Brand/item or eBay ref nos.) cheers
You should go to Specsavers........


.
The dipped headlight on mine are nowhere near the ones fitted on my BMW 530dm sport
 

Last edited by bt_bob1; 01-19-2014 at 03:33 AM.
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Old 01-19-2014, 06:30 AM
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Hi.


HID (xeon) are definately best, but then I would need automatic height adjustment and lamp washers to be legal. Too big a job.
Fitted Osram Night Breakers Ultimate halogen. Somewhat better than original.
Also be sure you have a good ground connection.
 
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Old 01-19-2014, 03:51 PM
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I'm going to have to upgrade - driving this evening along a unlit bendy A road was no fun ..
 
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Old 01-19-2014, 06:29 PM
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I thought later models had HID - can I retro fit these?

Does anyone have an example or recommended vendor?
 
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Old 01-19-2014, 08:06 PM
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Here is an earlier thread on a completed conversion. Has pictures and a discussion on install.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-99-xk8-88121/
 
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Old 01-20-2014, 03:26 PM
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I had an HID Cambus Pro Kit installed today in West London UK - £90 GBP. Ready to see in the dark now
 
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Old 04-18-2014, 05:28 AM
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Originally Posted by LondonXK8Boy
I had an HID Cambus Pro Kit installed today in West London UK - £90 GBP. Ready to see in the dark now
Hi, I need to upgrade my dip beams too, how did your conversion go? Do you know which one they fitted and can it be done as a DIY job?

Many thanks,

Arty
 
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Old 04-18-2014, 06:11 AM
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Hi - it seemed a pretty easy job when i watched him do it - there are access panels in the arch - you just need to put either wheel at full lock to access the panels - i think they just clipped off (other guys will know more on here) the ones he fitted were Xenon 'super vision' HID - you need the little upgraded side lights too - the difference is amazing - much more vision at night. as i said i only paid £90 fitted. Worth it IMO.
 
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Old 04-18-2014, 06:50 AM
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Default Fog lamps

I noticed it also when I first bought my '99 XK8. I just turned on the fog lamps and it mades all the difference in the world.

Just a thought...
 
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Old 04-04-2015, 09:47 PM
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Going to try a third time to get my drooping passenger side low beam to come up to proper angle.

Got it about halfway from "seriously useless" to "meh", but the adjustment was getting tight: it's made of nylon and the last thing I want to do is strip it.

It seems like it will bottom out in a few more turns.

Is this normal?

Looks like changing to high intensity LED bulbs might be an option later. I really don't like the color rendition of these incandescents. Came from a 98 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC with HIDs - the first in America - and they were wonderful by comparison.
 

Last edited by arttomlin; 04-04-2015 at 09:48 PM. Reason: typo
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