I have a 2003 s-type r/ supercharged 4.2. After an idiot decided to make a U-turn from the lane beside me and hit me damaging the driver side headlight. since the repairs were made, I have had a problem with the HID lighting on that side. I have to turn the selector on and off multiple times to get it to light. The passenger side lights up every time. I have had the light and HID ballast replaced, but it still does the same thing. I was told that it is the selector on the column but that does not make sense as the running light and all other functions are fine. Does anyone else have any ideas where I can look? I think it has to be a wire in the lighting harness on that side.

 

Did your replace the ballast with new or used?

I would look at grounds next but this is just a guess.

I would swap the bulbs first and then the ballast from side to side just to rule out those two parts.
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Ya, I have a similar problem. When I got my S-Type two years ago the driver's side light didn't work and the passenger was drooped. The car was still CPO and the warranty replaced the ballast on the driver's side and my pocket replaced the entire headlight assembly on the passenger (~$1700... =:-0 )

Since then the driver's side has sometimes not lit. Not frequent but it worries me when driving at night. Don't know what to do about it since it can't be demonstrated and diagnosed.

And now, the passenger light has failed and the dealer is preparing to replace the ballast on that side (which wasn't replaced as part of the headlamp assembly replacement two years ago). They say it's going to be about $1K. Labor is tough on that side, they have to remove the front fascia, at least, to access it, etc.

And oh, I'm also having to have them replace the main audio amp which failed earlier this spring. That part alone will be ~$2300.00.

Independent shop..., I know, I know, But because of the expense of the amp I want to make sure it get's done right with the factory parts and a dealer standing behind it.

The light, sure, could have taken it to an independent, but the car is in process for the amp and it just seemed easier to have them look at the light. Was expecting them to just change the blub, was surprised when they told me it was the ballast and that they were having to order it.

That actually really surprised me, a large Jaguar/RangerRover dealer that didn't have a headlamp ballast for an S-Type in stock. Are the HIDs in a S-Type different from those in a XF? That's a place where I really would have thought that common platform/common parts would have been the case.

I've always expected to hang on to my S-Type for a long time believing that the connection with XFs would ensure the availability of replacement parts (unlike the X-Type I had previously...). But that doesn't really seem to be the case.
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

For those prices I would get some used stuff off EBay?

$2300 for an amp? That must be some special amp!
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thanks. I had them replace the light and ballast after the accident and then again when the issue started. I will swap ballast from left to right and see if it moves. I will also try to look at the wiring harness to see if there are any crimped wires.

 

If you can please post back what you find out.
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>For those prices I would get some used stuff off EBay?
>$2300 for an amp? That must be some special amp!

Ya, well it's the one for the Advent system, it's located in the trunk in the stack above the CD changer and the NAV unit. It's rare and specialized and I'm not sure I'm ready to trust getting a used one, since it can't really be tested. SNG Barratt has one for $1300 but I'm prepared to eat the $1K difference so that the responsibility is on the dealer to make it work right.

The tight coupling of the sound, NAV, front console, heating/cooling control, fiber-network, etc., of a modern high-end car is where the problem really originates. It all requires specialized and expensive components.

These are costly cars and I am self-warranty'ing it so that is what I am stuck with.
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You dreamed of a big star
he played a mean guitar
He loved to drive his Jaguar...

 

I disassembled the front clip and removed the headlights. I plugged the driver side in on the passenger side harness and it works. plugged it back in on the driver side harness and it does not. I checked the power in the harness and it looks like it is the same readings. has to be in the wires from the headlight connection to the selector switch on the column. does anyone have the color scheme for what wires power the HID's on the harness?

 

See JTIS - free download

 

I was just able to get the wiring schematic and found that the HID's have their own relay..... I swapped the relay from the right to the left and the issue followed.... I swapped the bad relay for the HID fog lamp relay (same part number) and both lights are working now... I'll order an new relay and leave the fog lamps off for now.

 

Fyi a new hid headlight assembly includes a new ballast.

 

>Fyi a new hid headlight assembly includes a new ballast.

Disappointed to hear that. I had a drooped headlight assembly replaced 2 years ago (to the tune of about $1400) and just had to replace the ballast on that side (to the tune of $800).
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

Youll be more disappointed to know that if you had seen my screw fix stickied thread for dropped headlight aim (brokwn adjuster) you could have fixed it for nothing(if you have a screw in garage the correct needed length)

 

>Youll be more disappointed to know that if you had seen my screw fix

Ya, thanks, I was aware. But I had just gotten the car and really wanted to make it "right" from the get-go so I sucked it up an paid... =:-0

But I kept the drooped light to "practice" for next time!
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You dreamed of a big star
he played a mean guitar
He loved to drive his Jaguar...

So welcome to the machine