Which headlights do I have?

[bernhund]

The lights on my 3R seem very bright and white, not unlike LEDs. But as they're sealed, how can I tell? When I turn them on, I'm sure they start to get brighter over the next 5-10 seconds before settling. There is a problem with the off side, in that sometimes it doesn't come on. Then by switching the lights on and off a few times, suddenly it's on. I don't think it's a bad connection issue, as the light doesn't flicker or fail once on. Could that suggest they are LEDs and perhaps be a faulty LED driver?

[SwankBaton]

Sounds like HID kit as the delay you describe is 'warm-up' symptom of cheaper after market ballasts. LED would be instant on and there are no pnp bulbs on the market now that you would consider better than a halogen Imo.

Of course you might have Hella LED units but they are crazy $$$$.
Cut the sealant on the rear buckets and have a look. I cut a neoprene gasket on mine rather than silicone when refitting.

[bernhund]

swankBaton said:

Sounds like HID kit as the delay you describe is 'warm-up' symptom of cheaper after market ballasts. LED would be instant on and there are no pnp bulbs on the market now that you would consider better than a halogen Imo.

Of course you might have Hella LED units but they are crazy $$$$.
Cut the sealant on the rear buckets and have a look. I cut a neoprene gasket on mine rather than silicone when refitting.

Thanks for this. I'll get the bucket off and have a nose around.

I've also got blue lights in the speedo/tacho/fuel/temp. Sometimes the one in the tacho just fades away, then a bit later is back on. Any thoughts on this?

[bernhund]

swankBaton said:

I cut a neoprene gasket on mine rather than silicone when refitting.

How does the bucket stay in place without the silicone? Did you have to make up some kind of lug and screw type arrangement?

[SwankBaton]

Self tappers! Spire clips might work well but tricky to seal around them.
silica gel bags in the bucket before you refit to keep the misting at bay. Fog-x worked well also.

[bernhund]

Does anyone know whether this is the driver/ballast/starter (or whatever it's called!) for my lights or if it's just a bog standard connector from the loom to the lights?

[NeilC4S]

Thats the bog standard connector. The ballasts will either be near the headlight bowl or inside.

[bernhund]

NeilC4S said:

Thats the bog standard connector. The ballasts will either be near the headlight bowl or inside.

Thanks Neil, that's what I thought. It just looked kind of chunky for a plug in connector & I was hoping I didn't have to take the bowl off!
While I'm here, does anyone know the wiper details for the nearside of a 3R? An 18 wheeler came up a country lane while I went the other way and he took half the trees down as he passed. One large branch landed on my wiper and bent it!

[Green3R]

I, like others just run with the drivers side wiper. It sweeps enough of the screen to be safe and MOT compliant. The single wiper just looks more tidy IMO.

[Midlifecrisis71]

I read your topic, went to my car and I now have a main beam bulb gone - see what you've started now !

Bowl off then, yippee I wanted more jobs to do !

Single wiper - I intend to go single & 19" I think - An aero blade too

[bernhund]

Midlifecrisis71 said:

I read your topic, went to my car and I now have a main beam bulb gone - see what you've started now !

Bowl off then, yippee I wanted more jobs to do !

Single wiper - I intend to go single & 19" I think - An aero blade too

There's a lot of it about. You've only got to talk about headlights or let your car mix with others, and a bulb's gone. It's that time of year!

[wessexrfc]

Link to a post I made in regards to bits and bobs I'd done including the headlights upgrade. It gives a link to HID4U, they will be able to help, mine are still going strong:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=976...
Just picked up the car after having an even longer list of stuff done!!!!!

[bernhund]

Good link, thank you.

[Quantum Steve]

wessexrfc said:

Link to a post I made in regards to bits and bobs I'd done including the headlights upgrade. It gives a link to HID4U, they will be able to help, mine are still going strong:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=976...
Just picked up the car after having an even longer list of stuff done!!!!!

Hi, I took your advice and bought and fitted a set of these, managed to get the driver packs hidden inside the 3R covers, much improved... thanks...

[wessexrfc]

Quantum Steve said:

wessexrfc said:

Link to a post I made in regards to bits and bobs I'd done including the headlights upgrade. It gives a link to HID4U, they will be able to help, mine are still going strong:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=976...
Just picked up the car after having an even longer list of stuff done!!!!!

Hi, I took your advice and bought and fitted a set of these, managed to get the driver packs hidden inside the 3R covers, much improved... thanks...

good to hear Steve, it does make quite a difference. A few I believe have also installed HID main beam as well as dipped.