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My factory HID headlights, are properly aimed and have new OSRAM D1S Xenarc 35W bulbs. The levelling sensors are working, and yet my low beams are dim. They feel like halogens. So now I'm wondering whether my projector bowls are burnt out, or my ballasts need to be replaced. If the projectors are burnt out, am I better off re-chroming them, or replacing them? If a replacement is the better option, does anyone know the part number?
I will attempt to remove the projector bowls tomorrow to see if those are burnt out. If so, what is the best way to re-chrome them? If on the other hand, they are fine, then I'm looking at new ballasts. I found an aftermarket Valeo LAD5G on amazon of all places at $49.99 which has decent reviews. Does anybody have experience with these?
Maybe I’m expecting too much and that’s normal light output?
On the other hand, I want my fogs to light up yellow for rainy conditions. I was looking at either a Wagner Night Defense H1 55W, or a Hella Yellow Star 100W.
Am I likely to run into problems running the 100W Yellow Stars?
They look bright to me. If you put higher water bulbs in you create a lot more heat and you can easily melt the holding mechanism and the socket and the lens. When I got my STR one of the HOD sockets was melted and that caused the light fail to light. Sometimes it would light but then turn off shortly there after I guess once the heat built up
They look bright to me. If you put higher water bulbs in you create a lot more heat and you can easily melt the holding mechanism and the socket and the lens. When I got my STR one of the HOD sockets was melted and that caused the light fail to light. Sometimes it would light but then turn off shortly there after I guess once the heat built up
Alright, then I guess it’s just my eyesight. I do have cataract surgery in december that I am looking forwards to. Hopefully that makes a difference.
Check the ride height at front wheels. When my upper shock isolator collapsed it changed the angle of my HID lights.
My ride height is fine. My mounts have about 1200k miles and 6 months on them. Despite what it looks like in the picture, the lights look dimmer to me even when standing outside the car. I'm guessing the camera exposure compensated for that. I see well enough at night with my lights as is, but on rainy nights my visibility is severely impaired. More so when there is an oncoming car with the brights on.
Last edited by giandanielxk8; Nov 11, 2020 at 07:35 PM.
I went to Amazon and found new low priced HID Bulbs and new Ballast about a year ago...Really helped my low beams....I bought "Sinoparel" D1S HID Bulbs, which are 35 Watt and 6000K (6000K is right where Light gets the Whitest. It starts turning Blue after that) They cost $25.48. I also got new Ballast "Valeo" 88794OE $75.95. or order both together for: $118.42 These Ballast are the same that Jaguar put in the XK8...
If you want you can change out the High Beams also: they have a 9005 LED Mini Bulb for: $49.99 that is real short so that it will replicate the Halogen Bulb's Light source so that it gets to take advantage of the Reflector and better aims the Light than those Regular sized LED's. They cost: $49.99
I' changed mine out about a year ago and I'm a happy Guy! Remember, your XK is around 15 years old and Ballast might need replacing for Brighter light. Look into it!
Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch New HID D1S 35 Watt - 6000K Low Beams
Last edited by bcprice36; Nov 12, 2020 at 11:51 PM.
Billy, I already have new bulbs for both high (LED) and low beams. I happen to know that my right side high beam reflector is opaque and burnt out looking. I would not be surprised if the same were true for my low beam projector bowls.
When I have some spare time I want to check them out. However, if my theory turns out to be true, I might have to retrofit an aftermarket projector.
Please don't use LED in your low Beams...The projector is set up for HID...LED is used for the High Beams.....Sounds like you will need a new Reflector if it's turning color.....be sure to look up the little short LED Bulbs I referenced earlier. They work alot better with the Refactor than the Tall ones.....The HID Bulbs from Amazon work extremely well as low Beams....and they are Bright! I love mine!
How's Dentistry coming along? How much longer before you get out? A couple of my old Buddies from the Fraternity because Dentist and they both have done well...
Please don't use LED in your low Beams...The projector is set up for HID...LED is used for the High Beams.....Sounds like you will need a new Reflector if it's turning color.....be sure to look up the little short LED Bulbs I referenced earlier. They work alot better with the Refactor than the Tall ones.....The HID Bulbs from Amazon work extremely well as low Beams....and they are Bright! I love mine!
How's Dentistry coming along? How much longer before you get out? A couple of my old Buddies from the Fraternity because Dentist and they both have done well...
Good Luck and let me know if I can help!
Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch
I have LED high beams and HID low beams. Yes, it seems I do need new reflectors and bowls. I have no idea of how I will be able to obtain them.
The Internet and Wrecking Yards is your answer! Most of them will have a wrecked XK8 or R around somewhere...Problem will be getting the right Headlights as they started painting the inside in 2004 or 2005. But you can disassemble them and get the parts that you need....
I just now figured out my problem. It’s not the lights, it’s my windshield tint, which is either 25 or 30% ceramic tint. By itself it doesn’t make my headlights seem dim. But when an oncoming car has their headlights on, their light gets refracted and dazzles me. My left eye’s cataract only makes the effect worse. The result is that oncoming cars blind me. Rain and wet roads make it even harder to see.
On empty roads, I can see every bump, crack, or insect on the road as if it were daytime. I have cataract surgery scheduled for december 21. I hope that it helps me out at school and with night time driving. I think I will also switch my windshield tint to 40 or 50% tint, if non-glare tint is available, then that should be even better.
Last edited by giandanielxk8; Nov 13, 2020 at 08:24 PM.
What do you mean? Have you Tinted your windshield? I've never heard of that.....Windows and Rear Glass OK but Windshield tinting is probably the last thing you would want to do.....Get that stuff off of there! I think that is against the Law here in Texas....You don't want the Texas Rangers after you....Do you?
What do you mean? Have you Tinted your windshield? I've never heard of that.....Windows and Rear Glass OK but Windshield tinting is probably the last thing you would want to do.....Get that stuff off of there! I think that is against the Law here in Texas....You don't want the Texas Rangers after you....Do you?
Dim factory HID headlights
