Headlight bulbs for XJ40 Daimler - question & advice please

[mccrackenj]

Hi all

I just became the proud owner of a very solid 1990 Daimler 4.0 2 weeks ago, and I'm looking for advice re the headlights (the manual covers the 4 headlamp models but not the sqaure light ones!)

The nearside headlight works fine on main beam but the 'side light' doesn't work. Upon investigation there appears to be only one bulb - is that correct?

If so, would a new headlight bulb solve the problem or could there be more to it than that?

Thanks

John

Edited by mccrackenj on Saturday 15th December 21:17

[tr7v8]

Deep from the memory banks, is that these have a dim dip memory control module per headlight & it could very well be that.

[mccrackenj]

Oh Bu&&er - I didn't really think it could be as simple as a bulb.

Thanks

Anyone else able to advise further, eg what the actual part might be if that's indeed what it is etc? I know v little about XJ40s.


Cheers

Edited by mccrackenj on Sunday 16th December 22:07

[groomi]

Those modules have a tendancy to go pearshaped every couple of years - rather pricey too IIRC.

[Jaguarnut]

I think there may be some confusion. I believe that for the oblong shaped headlights, there is no sidelight. You should have a single, twin filament bulb for dipped beam and full beam. The sidelight is in the front bumper, part of the indicator assembly. The 'sideligt' in the headlight assembly is actually the dipped filament being fed a lower voltage from the black box control unit for that light unit. This would be the so-called 'dim-dip' feature.

Usually it is the black box which plays up and you should be able to source a used unit from a Jaguar breaker (See JEC or Jaguar World Mags). There are companies that refurbish them also.

However if your oblong lights are past their best (dim reflectors etc.), a better option may be to convert to the 4 headlight system. This gives a better light output, partucularly on full beam as you have 4 headlights working. You would need the mounting brackets for the headlight clusters, the outer trim panel, the black box control units (mounted either side of the radiator), wiring loom from box to lights and the lights themselves - preferably Cibie, available from SNG Barratts. Plenty of owners have done it and some Jaguar purists think the car looks better. Jaguars should have 4 headlights, etc.