Hi, just joined the forum and wondered if others had this problem?


My 2003 XKR suffers from a flickering RH HID headlamp. A Jag specialist has had several goes at repairing it - changed the HID unit, checked out wiring and had managed to reduce it to an occasional flicker only. He didn't know exactly what had improved it - guess just unplugging/replugging, fettling harness etc. Trouble is, no single activity could be tracked to causing/stopping it.


However, now its back with a vengeance, sometimes going completely off for several seconds. Stopping & restarting brings it back on temporarily.


And now the LH lamp has started flickering as well. I'm even thinking of converting to non-HID


Full beam and side light are unaffected. Any help appreciated

 

It's probably the bulbs themselves. Rev Sam shows how to replace them Bought mine for £50 each from
D1S Xenon Bulbs - ilovexenon.com - genuine xenon light bulbs, ballasts, igniters, AFS, LED, DRL modules

EDIT
I had exactly the same problem but I decided it was the ballasts. So after spending £300 on a new pair and then finding that removing the headlamps in order to replace the ballasts was tricky,(the headlamp washers were in the way), I bought some replacement bulbs and it fixed the problem.
So I now have a pair of brand new ballasts for future use lol.
Incidentally, I replaced the bulbs without removing the wheels.

 

+1 to check the bulbs.

Not often the lower cost option is applicable with a Jaguar - enjoy it whenever you can!

With HID's, the two symptoms that indicate a bulb is approaching the end of its life are:

1. reduced light output
2. intermittent illumination

Examination of such bulbs will often show blackening at the end of the arc tube.

Graham

 

Many thanks guys.


So a Christmas holiday job to fit two new HID bulbs. Lets hope that cracks it

 

Both of my lights started flickering in my 03...first one, then the other months later. I put in brand new OSRAM bulbs...and the problem progressed. The only other possibility is the ballasts. I'm saving for a new pair...about $600 from Amazon.

My 05 XJ had the same problem, and new ballasts fixed them right up...plus they were 1/2 as expensive as the xk8's (12-pin vs the 4-pin version)

 

Thanks Matt.


By 'ballast' I assume you mean the HID module (small metal box)?


Actually this was the first thing changed. Changing that and fettling the wiring improved it but did not eradicate it, and now it's flickering as badly as ever.


So, given the advice above, the bulb is next in the process of elimination? I've got two Osram D1S's coming in the post now.

 

Fitted the new HID bulbs and looks like a result.


Left the car running for about 15 mins with headlamps on and no flickering at all so fingers crossed it is now sorted. The car is off the road for the winter so can't run a full test.


Thanks for the help and a happy New Year

 

H2oboy, if you haven't purchased your ballast yet, check out HIDorigin.com I purchased mine from them for about $200 each. OEM equipment. My Cat is an 03 XK8.

 

Problem i have is that the headlights randomly go off then on. This happens at times when also braking ir turning. It could be both sides at the same time or one then the other. The only way to get them back on quickly is to thump the steering wheel or i have to wait for them to come on again by themselves.
Hitting the steering wheel doesnt make them turn off when they are on tho. Side lights remain on.
I have just replaced both the bulbs and ballast for both sides at the same time and although lights are brighter it still happens.
Any advice would be welcome. Thank you in advance.

 

G, do you have your headlights running off the auto setting? I always do, when I once ran into this it was a loose turnstalk wire, second time years later I had to replace the entire turn stalk. Neither are too hard BTW.

The fact that jostling thr steering wheel affects things made mr think of this.

If yes on auto, have you tried changing to normal on position? That eliminates the circuit up to the rear view mirror and back.

Gosh I'm trying to remember how I ID'd the turn signal switch assembly as bad. Oh yeah, performance was tied to switch position and the built in stops for each position were screwed up. Got a replacement for $125 from someone parting their car out.

As far as the loose wire, jiggling jolting the turn signal area will cause loose wire to swing and make intermittent contact.

The wires from the turn signal protrude from the base of the base of the stalk and terminate on a small circuit board.

Hope this helps you track it down.

John

 

Ghoolie,

I changed out my indicator stalk on my XK8 and it was a complete unit with base behind the steering wheel. Not too difficult a task. Only Pre-Owned used items available now though and I got mine from a scrap donor car. If you're good with electronics, unlike me, there is a circuit board to inspect and maybe it's just a small solder job.

As a long shot, you could try initially spraying the base of the stalk with contact cleaner (NOT WD40) to see if it resolves the issue, but this is a temporary fix at best.

 

So, my new 2003 XKR came with the LS HID not working, I also noticed that it did not self level on turning on. I hoped this was the bulb, but suspected the ballast. Sure enough, bulb did not fix the issue. So I have a new ballast on order. I found a Valeo one for $175 on Amazon, and decided to go for it. I also saw a bunch of knock off's going for about $50. I'm assuming this a place where you get what you pay for, but I was curious if anyone had given the cheap ones a shot?

When I pulled the ballast off, I'm not surprised it wasn't working. This is what it looked like.

What is not obvious from the picture was all the corrosion you could see down inside around the connectors. Not a healthy look for electronics.

I'll let you know if that fixes the issue.