The main headlamp on the passenger side of my 2012 XF went out in June. I found an OEM replacement lamp on Amazon, 2 for $95 (quite a bargain, local auto parts stores wanted $125 each). Watched the YouTube how-to videos and got it done without even loosening the bumper as most suggest. Small hands helped. Everything worked so I was a happy camper.

I expected the driver side bulb to follow suit, and indeed it went out a few weeks ago. Finally got around to using the second lamp of my twofer purchase, but this side was much harder. I ended up nearly taking both the fender and bumper off because there was no way I was going to be able to get at the bulb without removing the headlamp assembly. Got it out, switched out the burned out bulb with new bulb without too much trouble, and put it all together. The bulb I removed showed clear signs of burning out. However, the new bulb did not light up.

So, reverse course and go through the removal process again. When I got the bulb out, I noticed damage to the element that is outside the bulb, looked like insulation that got cracked. See picture. Do not know if that is a manufacturing defect, shipping damage, or happened when I tried to fit it back in. Lesson learned, be REALLY careful threading these things into place!

I ordered another bulb off of amazon ($49) and went through the whole process again, this time being super careful. All went well until I started the car and switched on the lights. Again, everything lit up as expected EXCEPT for the new bulb. One more time I took it all apart, inspected everything, found nothing, carefully reassembled. But the bulb simply doesn't light.

At this point I am looking for suggestions as to next move. I can buy a third bulb, but am starting to think the problem isn't only the bulb. Yes, the original definitely burned out, but I am skeptical that the newest bulb just happens to be bad. However, I don't have any ideas on how to test it independently.

Given the above, is there anything else I can test / check? If I have to I can buy a new headlight assembly, which would still be cheaper than taking the car into the dealer.

 

I've read all the threads I can find regarding XF headlights, and it seems possible that my problem is bad ballast? Any suggestions on how to confirm / troubleshoot?

 

One more question - has anyone had success buying ballast on Amazon? The ballast for 2012 XF has the part number C2P 13237, and sells for over $500 from Jaguar, $299 from Jagbits.com, but there are multiple sellers on Amazon in the $20 - $30 range and the pictures indicate an exact OEM match. Pricing seems just too good to be true.

 

I had to replace both HID bulbs and the ballast on the left side of my 2010 XF, super easy as long has you don't let the hose to the washer jet drop. I purchased mine on Amazon (One bulb and one bulb/ballast kit) working good for me so far. Simple swap process, even came with gloves.

 

So I finally located the problem I had in December 2024 by switching the ballasts (moved passenger side ballast to driver side, and vice versa). While doing this I found that I had previously dislodged a connection to the ballast when I changed the bulbs. So the good news is simply making the connection put everything right - both headlamps began working, and worked fine until just this last week (11 months later). My passenger side main beam is out again.

Having become proficient at dropping the bumper and removing the light assemblies, I removed and inspected the bulb, looks fine. I swapped bulbs with the driver side, and that confirmed that both bulbs work. So next I swapped the ballasts (actually returning them to the original sides, as I had swapped them last year trying to diagnose the December 2024 issue). Again driver side headlamp on, passenger side off, confirming both ballasts are working. Then I got the idea to swap the entire headlamp assembly. Again, with the driver's side light assembly plugged in to the passenger side, and the passenger side assembly plugged in to the driver's side, only the latter worked.

So both light assemblies are fully functional and each one will work when plugged in on the driver's side. With those diagnostics I have exhausted my abilities and have no idea on how to proceed. Any ideas?

Note that everything except the main headlamp works on the passenger side, so whatever the problem is, it is limited to the main headlamp circuit on the passenger side. Help anyone?