I have the Euro. type headlights on my 84. The lenses are Glass and they are clean.
The lights don't give off much light--driving at night is very difficult.
Going to the double light per side--is that a good answer???
Is it expensive- Can it be done???
Any other ideas???
Thanks for any help.

 

I've heard complaints about the Euro headlamps a few times over the years. I can't remember the details, sorry. I'm pretty sure some guys have converted to Euro and then reverted back to the four lamp system.

Before making any changes you might wanna check that the lamps are getting full voltage and are properly grounded.

Or perhaps there are some upgraded bulbs? I don't know what type of bulbs they use...but it seems that upgraded types are available for everything these days.

Did you install the lamps? If so, are they from a LHD car? If not, the lenses will throw the light in the wrong direction....which can't be good.

I'll bet there's some info in Kirby's book that would be helpful.

Cheers
DD

 

Doug's right, check everything first. All that failing, changing to the quad lights is a direct fit and very easy. Just have to locate any year quad lights. I put 84 year model lights in my 95 XJS, and I can see much better. There are new replacement quad lights out there, but pretty expensive.

 

Over the years, different bulb types have been regulated by the gov and some types are considered European and some US standards. Both were sold in the US as regulations changed. There were interchangeable and it is possible that you have one of the poorer types and a bulb change may be all you need. Search "headlamp" specifically for the Wikipedia site and the information is there.
In the late 1980's the U.S. government saw that broken glass involved in car accidents was a hazard and began requiring car manufacturers to replace glass headlight assemblies with plastic assemblies. Today almost all cars and trucks have plastic headlight assemblies....Great,now we get to deal with the clouding of the lenses and poor night vision again.

Someone on the Jaglovers Forum was actually given a ticket for his headlight configuration, even though it was delivered new that way..anyone remember what the details were? Doug D, George B?
He was going to argue it in court but I don't remember reading the outcome either.

 

I vaguely remember.

Actually I thought it was tail lamps, not head lamps. In any case, I recall that his lamps didn't have DOT markings, which suggests they came off of a non-USA car. So, what he has is a correct Jaguar configuration but lacks the specific lenses required by the DOT...making the policeman technically correct even though he cited the fellow for the wrong reasons!

Cheers
DD

 

FWIW.....

My XJR lights seemed a bit weak of late. Following advice from others I removed the lights and cleaned them with water and a few drops of dish soap...using the slosh slosh slosh method.

The reflectors are now shiny silver rather than milky gray....and the result is an undeniably brighter, whiter light. Good improvement.

Not sure if the same process would do any good on XJS Euro lights but thought I'd throw the idea out there

Cheers
DD

 

Now that I think about it, that makes sense that it was the taillights.
Thanks for the clarification Doug. I wonder how that came out?

 

If its the same guy I am thinking of, he was a facelift owner in Minnesota who had the original smoked out rear lights all facelifts have. The ignoramus of a cop who stopped him claimed that those where aftermarket even after he showed him the owners manual (I may be embellishing here). The car was a US car and it did actually have the DOT markings on it. I do not recall an update after he went to court.

 

I have a set of Cibie lights in my 83. Great lights, but hard to find.

I recall seeing someone install some projector lights behind the Euro light lenses somewhere. Is there room for an HID conversion?

 

The bulbs in the Euro lights are H4 bulbs, over in Euroland at least. There are national regulations about wattage and I do not know what the US regulations are. But certain makers make much more effective bulbs than others. So buying a set of high performance H4 bulbs may make a very big difference.

A bear to change them though, as the entire light unit has to come out, that bit is OK, but getting them back in is a challenge!

 

I'd be willing to swap my double light US setup for your terrible Euro lights!?

 

First, determine if they are for RHD or LHD because "euro" could include the UK which is RHD.

Then, check to see of the reflectors are shiny. Maybe they require cleaning.

Then, check your bulbs ... they can dim.

Glass lenses, with glass reflectors and good halogen bulbs are usually quite satisfactory when well aimed.

You can find interesting technical articles on aiming, bulbs and upgrades at:

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

 

OK lets make a deal--I was in Columbus this past week.
We are about 300 miles apart.

I never liked the Euro's.

Cabela's in Dundee, Mi. should be about half way.

 

Ok, PM sent... Love Cabela's, always eat some odd meat there

 

What all comes off with the Euros--Large glass, chrome ring holding the glass on, two lights--one light is tiny---Anything else?????????

 

There are also two brackets (one on each side), that mount with bolts into wells. Your's would me made of steel and look little more "classic", but technically be similar to below.

 

I will take a look --the jag is at a friends getting a new headliner.

 

Let me know if you need some parts, I got tons of stuff scattered around...

 

Here they are!

 

Thanks for the pics--will the two light system just fit right in where my one light is??? Also what about the wires---are mine in place for the double or will I have to add some???

I am very interested in trading.

len