I have a 2005 XJ8 LB. The headlights have condensation and the bulbs periodically go out. The fog from the condensation doesn't help the brightness of light projection either.

I would like to replace the whole light housing and I have no idea of the complications. Can I just replace the headlights or do you have to replace the whole headlight assembly, meaning the whole kit and kaboodle?

Any ideas of costs? I want to have a body shop do the work so it would be good to have some idea of what the price may be.

I am thinking of replacing the lights as a safety issue. I want good quality light projection and avoid the unpredictable outage due to moisture in the lamp itself.
Thanks,

Jerome

 

A good chance it won't be cheap. A local wrecking yard in the Sacramento area has whole assemblies listed at $850.00 each (those were with Xenon bulbs). As they say "prices may vary." You might find them at a Pick & Pull if you have one near by. I would guess the dealer would be 2x the wrecking yard. Plus labor at the shop, unless they are doing the R & R anyway for another reason. (I remember when they used to be "Junk Yards" but I am getting older.)

 

You can pick them up on Ebay for around $650 used but that is still expensive!

The front bumper has to be taken off to get at the headlight assemblies so a dealer will charge an arm and a leg for the work even tho it only takes 30 minutes at most.

 

The headlights, outside of the replaceable bulbs and Xenon burner, are a complete assembly per side.

Replacement calls for 2.0 hrs. for one side, which includes R&R of the bumper cover. Prices are expensive, especially for the Xenon HID units. If you do go for replacement, be sure to match the year pretty closely. SNG Barratt lists five distinct part numbers for LHD cars, three of which are NLA.

One thing to check is to be sure you have the caps on the back of the bulb. If those are missing it could invite water into the unit. Those are relatively inexpensive to replace, and are available outside of the complete assembly.

Dave

 

I ended up getting the whole headlight assemblies for both sides and a drivers side fog light from SNG Barratt. The two main light assemblies were $580 each. The install by a local body shop was $ 207 plus tax.

They make the front of the car look brand new. I am glad I had it done. I wish I had not waited so long.