Hi Folks, I need to replace the low beam bulb on my 1997 XK8. I have found the part number in the parts list in the stickies but can't find any instructions on how to do the re and re when using the forms search function. Can someone please send me in the right direction.
Thanks in advance
Tom

 

You need to at least remove the access port in the plastic wheel liner. It’s often not that easy to remove and harder to get the latch to catch when replacing. Instead, I prefer to remove the whole wheel liner. That will give you a lot of room to work in. Removing the wheel too is the way I do it, then you can see the light bulb cover, give it a twist counter clockwise and it comes right off and reveals the bulb.

for what is worth, none, I repeat none, of the incandescent bulbs, halogen, etc. are going to give you decent nighttime illumination. I know, I tried most of them.

the basic Hikari LED H-1 bulbs on Amazon work many times better. If you drive at night as I do, that matters. I ended up getting the top of the line Hikari LED H-1 bulbs for that extra 30% illumination. But the budget LED’s start at an affordable $30 per pair more or less. You might find “off brand” LED’s for less, but in my view the Hikari’s are top notch and reliable and worth the $$$. I’ve had mine for over 3-4 years and they are still working perfectly

Budget Hikari LED:

Hikari H11/H8/H9 LED Bulbs,12,000LM, High Lumens LED Kit,30W Thunder CSP LED Equivalent to 80W Ordinary LED,CANBUS Ready,Halogen Upgrade Replacement,6000K White,H16 Foglight

https://a.co/d/9Te9LTI

They make a quality LED for the high beams too.

Z

 

Zray, thanks for the info. My main problem was how to get at it. I ordered up a set and they should be here by May 15th.

 

I changed mine for HID as the mot man cannot see the actual bulb its not a problem.
I also Have HID 55w 6000K in the main beam. All the leds and filament bulbs are crap.

 

Pistnbroke, thanks for your input. Fortunately for me I don't have to take the car in for MOT certification or emission testing. Up here in the sticks if it runs and has most of it's body panels it's pretty much good to go.

 

Ozbot,

Agree with all above. Sounds like you've ordered so HID vs LED is moot..

Replacement tips:
Your 1st time, make your life easier- remove the wheel.

Note this: the hatch cover is very important. Put it back on wrong and it will fly. You'll probably know its somewhere within a 25 mile radius. That's about it! Wire tie it back in as a safety if at all unsure of the solidity. A lot(!) Of water will get in there w/o a hatch.

I waited until my 3rd bulb change before I just removed the entire liner. Should've done it first time!!! It is held in place with 2 or 3 sheet metal screw rows (make note of the positions for reinstall- you'll never remember. The other fasteners are plastic screw/pins into an expandable sleeve picture a banana sliced in half top to 1 inch above bottom. Think of how that skin would peel back - thats what these are. Slip the pins out with leverage, pull pin/sleeve assembly out to free up that connection.

Before you start note what edges overlap what where. Is that overlap on top or underneath?

I'm offering this level of specificity to make reinstall a no brainer breeze.

Install new bulb pack.
Have a few wire ties at hand.
Some LED units have a detachable upper half. Detach to insert Led in lens opening, snap hold down spring on top, press other half on. (In that case the whole led assembly wouldn't have fit under the clip.

My friend with the wheel well off, its a thousand times easier faster morexaccurate!

Note: watch that hold down spring - IT CAN DISLODGE! Good news is I think its magnetic so odds of recovery go up.

If you needed to notch the plastic cone that surrounds the bulb to get a wire through, you may do so without harm. I remember stressing should I drill a hole in the Black plastic screw on end cap or notch the cone down to just below final position of screwed on end cap. Notch worked best, no leak issues after 3+ years..

You'll be so happy you'll be doing the high beams soon enough :-) find someone with tiny hands:-).

Let us know how you like!!

John

 

my dear friend, we agree to disagree.


Some experimentation might soften your perception of the better LED products.

There have been tremendous advances in LED technology. The better products will match
HID’s for coverage and intensity, some will put the HID projectors to shame.

However, money talks, the marketplace is jam packed with budget LED products that do not illuminate enough of the road. Sadly, one can spend / waste some money on LED without a satisfactory outcome unless there is a benefit of a solid recommendation beforehand.

Z

PS Thank you again for helping me out with the parts. Really appreciate the cooperation !

 

Hi John, thanks for the detailed instructions. Exactly what I need. The simpler the better always works best for me. After reading Zrays post I had already decided to remove the wheels and liners. I find these cars are really tight to work on and any extra room to get my ham fists in is a bonus. As far as LED verses HID as long as I can see the road I'm happy. I'll probably get some high intensity bulbs for my high beams for highway driving. I do a lot of driving in the dark getting from one construction project to another and it would be nice to miss some of the larger critters like the moose and bears.

 

You're gonna be smiling! My prediction: 37 days till you buy the high beam LEDS.

:-) JOHN

 

Ya I probably should have ordered the high beams at the same time but that would have made sense. I had a look under the wheel wells for the access panels when I got home from work today and discovered that I had 2 more items to buy.

 

FWIW, it’s always good to have a supply of the plastic fender liner nuts as well as the other plastic fasteners. They don’t have the same grip when reused, and can loosen by themselves.

Z

 

Guys, FWIW I have this on my jag and toyota 4 stars IMO:

SEALIGHT Scoparc 9005/HB3 LED Bulbs, Plug and Play LED Light Replacement Kit, 6000K Bright White, Halogen Replacement, Quick Installation, Pack of 2
Check this out! https://a.co/d/hoDj8TD

John

 

The truth is that whatever you put behind these 2 inch dia units you cannot get the light out that you could via a 7 inch unit ....Its like a camera lens the diameter is too restrictive. The 2 in unit is 3 sq inches the 7 inch 38 sq in . As my father use to say
"you cannot get a 4 inch turd down a 3 inch hole"

 

Any more juicy quotes from parents ?




Z

 

^^ Yeah, that old Rolling Stones lyric "Hey, you, get off of my lawn"....

 

that ain’t old. Well, maybe a little old.

Z

 

^^ 1965 is pretty damn old to me, anyway....

 

reality keeps intruding . As Sir Mick has said, “get off of my cloud…”

I quit listening to new music so many decades ago, that the music of my ‘60’s youth still
seems like new music.


Measuring time on a cosmic scale works out
best for me. “Human scale” of time is too stress inducing. Just my take.

Z