XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 ) 2003 - 2009

Headlight flicker

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 11-24-2011, 06:03 PM
PaulB's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 180
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default Headlight flicker

It may be normal but I was just wondering if it's common for the headlights to flicker once in a while, also when I'm approaching vehicles quickly on the highway lights go bright for a split second then return to normal ?
 

Last edited by PaulB; 11-24-2011 at 06:07 PM.
  #2  
Old 11-24-2011, 11:16 PM
BigCat3153's Avatar
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Indian Nation
Posts: 173
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

Mine have done it too. It's been a while, but once it happens, you never forget it. Service Manager suggested a loose ground, but that's not it. It's an omen of something wearing out I hate to say.
 
  #3  
Old 11-25-2011, 12:52 PM
norisan's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Headlight Flicker

I'm assuming these are HID lights? If so, I had a similar problem with just the left head light. First I cleaned the the ground connections, which did help but didn't completely cure the problem. I then ordered two new bulbs, (D1S), which have the igniters mounted on the back, that completely cured the problem. Your bulbs are now about seven years old and maybe the igniters get weak? They will certainly have lost a lot of their output, I do know that my new bulbs were dramatically brighter. On a side note, these bulbs can be replaced in about 15 minutes without removing the front bumper, although it is a little awkward.
 
  #4  
Old 11-25-2011, 02:26 PM
Translator's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Brittany France
Posts: 12,704
Received 1,231 Likes on 716 Posts
Default

Can't help you, sorry, but I would have said, a bad connection/ignitor.

What got my attention was 'removing the front bumper to replace a headlamp bulb'.

Out here in the sticks of Europe, we have to carry spares, and in theory, be able to change them.
 
  #5  
Old 11-26-2011, 09:06 AM
jahummer's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,086
Received 2,252 Likes on 1,414 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by norisan
I'm assuming these are HID lights? If so, I had a similar problem with just the left head light. First I cleaned the the ground connections, which did help but didn't completely cure the problem. I then ordered two new bulbs, (D1S), which have the igniters mounted on the back, that completely cured the problem. Your bulbs are now about seven years old and maybe the igniters get weak? They will certainly have lost a lot of their output, I do know that my new bulbs were dramatically brighter. On a side note, these bulbs can be replaced in about 15 minutes without removing the front bumper, although it is a little awkward.
Seven years is pushing their useful life, both components wear out over time, they only last a couple thousand hours. I so wish some car manufacturer would take the lead and put hour meters on these like other devices that use the same technology, it would make it so much easier for consumers to realize when their bulbs should be replaced and perhaps even bring more business to the service/parts department.
 
  #6  
Old 11-26-2011, 09:18 AM
aholbro1's Avatar
Veteran Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Decatur, TX
Posts: 4,612
Received 1,638 Likes on 1,066 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by PaulB
It may be normal but I was just wondering if it's common for the headlights to flicker once in a while, also when I'm approaching vehicles quickly on the highway lights go bright for a split second then return to normal ?
Flickering lights? ...on a Jaguar?...surely you jest!!!

from the gallery, I'd shout it's likely both normal AND common......(Now making note to self to avoid HID lamps in future used-car purchases as it appears they don't last beyond the "break-in" period, hehe)
 
  #7  
Old 11-30-2011, 07:48 PM
PaulB's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 180
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Thanks everyone, I noticed today with the help of the car in front of me that it's the passenger light, I'm going to replace them both and see how it goes. I find it weird how it flickers more when I approach a vehicle on the highway, they probably think I'm telling them to get out of my way (even though that's what is running through my head)
 
  #8  
Old 12-02-2011, 08:15 PM
knipdlo's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hi, I'm new here but in my experience with BMWs and VW Phaeton, flickering Xenon lamps are the signal that the bulbs are bad.- There is no filament in the lamp so when failure occurs it flickers, rather than goes out.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hoodun
XJS ( X27 )
7
11-20-2022 02:35 PM
kingdom worker
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
5
11-14-2020 03:47 PM
goges
S-Type / S type R Supercharged V8 ( X200 )
5
10-05-2015 04:53 PM
Fletch44
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
0
09-28-2015 02:21 PM
kevinl
XJ XJ6 / XJR6 ( X300 )
0
09-24-2015 08:25 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Headlight flicker



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:20 AM.