XK / XKR ( X150 ) 2006 - 2014

Front left headlight intermittently failing

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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 07:14 AM
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Ter11's Avatar
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Default Front left headlight intermittently failing

Hi all

Anybody here is familiar with the following headlight issue?

Seldomly - like once a week - the low beam headlight on the driver side does not work. All other lights do work. And interestingly there is NO FAILURE MESSAGE in the dashboard informing about a failed bulb or similar.

Therefore it is only in absolute darkness or when the headlights mirror in the car in front when I notice that the left headlight is off. When I then cycle the lights on/off, the left headlight is usually back to work.

Any ideas??

BR
ter
 

Last edited by Ter11; Apr 9, 2019 at 08:57 AM.
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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 07:25 AM
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Sounds like time for a new bulb.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by 110reef
Sounds like time for a new bulb.
Thanks! Did you have a similar experience? I would have expected that the car provides a message in case of failed bulb...

br
ter

ps: just watching Jay Leno driving around in a white E Type coupe on YouTube. Great watch...
 
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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 10:26 AM
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Try turning on and off when problem occurs, if it comes back on, its the ballast (driver for hid)
 
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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Queen and Country
Try turning on and off when problem occurs, if it comes back on, its the ballast (driver for hid)
Thats exactly what happens. If I turn it off/on it works again. So new ballast. Thanks!!!

br
ter
 
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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 01:46 PM
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HIDs need real high voltage. What's happening is that the capacitor is only partially charging on the first go around, not enough for a power on. Over time the capacitor will only get worse. Caps have a lifespan.
But in this case it seems to be isolated to a less than perfect cap.

Those damn Brits with their fat greasy fingers from the chips, covered in circuit destroying salt and vinegar and only newsprint to wipe with.
 
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Old Apr 10, 2019 | 01:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Queen and Country
Those damn Brits with their fat greasy fingers from the chips, covered in circuit destroying salt and vinegar and only newsprint to wipe with.
Hella lights? I would have expected that it was a big German spilling his Sauerkrat all over the board
 
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