The left low beam headlight on my 2005 XK8 comes on and goes off. Not sure if the light goes on/off over bumps or just does this randomly. Over the past couple of months I thought I noticed this low beam headlight sort of flickering. What is the usual lifetime of this type headlight? Any clues on cause of this much appreciated.

 

BJM, Let me ask a few questions to help us narrow this down if you don't mind.

Did you prove the right headlight works properly when you turn it on? (IOW the right bulb isn't burned out correct?).

Do you have auto headlights?

What position is the headlight switch in when this happens?

When you say "bump" my mind thinks of an open filament in a burnt out bulb making contact with the electrode when you hit a bump that will turn it on for a brief moment. But that long shot will be answered by the above answers.

Does this event only occur when low beams are switched on?
I'm not sure when the flickering occurs, daylight when no headlights should be on at all or at night with active low beams, of if you use any form of running lights in the day time.

Do the high beams work properly? Does the low beam flicker ever occur when high beams are on?

Tell us how the right low beam works, all OK? Does the left low beam ever flicker when the right light is off?

Let us know what you think.

 

A 2005MY with self leveling HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps?

HID bulbs last considerably longer than halogen bulbs but there are indications that a bulb is nearing the end of its service life:

1. low light output and/or intermittent illumination
2. blackening at the ends of the arc tube and electrode tip deterioration

It sounds like the intermittent illumination is advance warning of low beam bulb failure but check connections to the ballast first before assuming this.

Graham

 

Thanks guys. My main beam headlights are HID. i do have auto headlights.

High beams work fine. I have not been able to get this condition to repeat in the last 24 hours in the left low beam headlight. However, I did notice there is a very slight, subtle flicker in the right low beam headlight. All conditions are the same if I have the high beams on or not. Same is true if I auto headlights on or turned on manually.

Are the HID bulbs easy to change out? Thanks!

 

They are if you have small hands! Here's the relevant JTIS section:

JTIS - XK8 HID Low Beam.pdf

Provided it's only a bulb change, there's no need for subsequent self leveling adjustment.

Graham

 

BJM - I'm having the exact same issue with my left HID low beam. Jeez, ... and the car's "only" got 166K miles - lol. Please let us know if replacing the bulb solved your problem.

Thanks! - Jim M