Replacing headlight unit, easy job ?

[Moonhawk]

If I do have the lights replaced - would they come with any kind of guarantee (outside of warranty). If I bought a £3000 TV - I would expect it to last more than a couple of years. Why should it be any different just because these electronic parts are fitted to a car?

[steveatesh]

Moonhawk said:

If I do have the lights replaced - would they come with any kind of guarantee (outside of warranty). If I bought a £3000 TV - I would expect it to last more than a couple of years. Why should it be any different just because these electronic parts are fitted to a car?

It shouldn't really, I suppose the motor trade get away with a lot like that, sales of goods act etc, and the difficulty in demonstrating the article is unsatisfactory.

I'm having mine replaced next week, so five years of ownership, second occasion (1st under warranty) making factoring in to ownership costs just under £300 per year for a sidelight .

WTF were Aston thinking of when they signed off that design.

I'd like to think their quality control has influenced a change in the manufacture of the headlight, but like I said they'll make a few bob off these units and to hell with their reputation eh?

[mikey k]

Moonhawk said:

If I do have the lights replaced - would they come with any kind of guarantee (outside of warranty). If I bought a £3000 TV - I would expect it to last more than a couple of years. Why should it be any different just because these electronic parts are fitted to a car?

Good luck with that
My 18 month old Samsumg 50" telly has recently developed 8/9 vertical bands of dead pixels.
Replacement panel is 3/4 of what I paid for it new and there is no "goodwill"
Any one want a cheap telly

[triple5]

I'd still appreciate a picture of the PCB if anyone has one.

What do other manufactures do? there are loads of cars about now with LED units inside the main headlight, I suspect there're much the same.

Edited by triple5 on Friday 21st November 09:58

[Moonhawk]

steveatesh said:

It shouldn't really, I suppose the motor trade get away with a lot like that, sales of goods act etc, and the difficulty in demonstrating the article is unsatisfactory.

I'm having mine replaced next week, so five years of ownership, second occasion (1st under warranty) making factoring in to ownership costs just under £300 per year for a sidelight .

WTF were Aston thinking of when they signed off that design.

I'd like to think their quality control has influenced a change in the manufacture of the headlight, but like I said they'll make a few bob off these units and to hell with their reputation eh?

I did read a news article where a guy took an issue like this to small claims court citing sale of goods and won. I wonder if that may be worth a punt.

If a few aston owners who have been stung with the same issue got together - could it even go for a class action? Entire headlight units shouldn't need replacing every 30 months.

If this website is correct - according to the SOG act - you dont need to demonstrate the article is unsatisfactory:

"Liability under s.14 is strict and not dependant of proof of fault on the part of the seller."

"For the purposes of this Act, goods are of satisfactory quality if they meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking account of any description of the goods, the price (if relevant) and all the other relevant circumstances."

"For the purposes of this Act, the quality of goods includes their state and condition and the following (among others) are in appropriate cases aspects of the quality of goods—

(a) fitness for all the purposes for which goods of the kind in question are commonly supplied,
(b) appearance and finish,
(c) freedom from minor defects,
(d) safety, and
(e) durability."

http://e-lawresources.co.uk/Statutory-implied-term...

Edited by Moonhawk on Friday 21st November 12:40

[steveatesh]

mikey k said:

Good luck with that
My 18 month old Samsumg 50" telly has recently developed 8/9 vertical bands of dead pixels.
Replacement panel is 3/4 of what I paid for it new and there is no "goodwill"
Any one want a cheap telly

really there shouldn't need to be goodwill with that, it would fit under the Sales of Goods act, 6 years is the cut off.
Most of us just let it go though cos its easier to buy a new one. I'm guilty of that myself .

[avinalarf]

I have an 06 DB9 and despair at the woefully dim headlights on it but having read this topic I am relieved not to have this problem.
I do not recall reading about this problem before,is it a common problem and does it affect all Aston models with LEDs?

[Moonhawk]

Spoke to the dealer I bought the car from this morning.....he says he has never heard of this issue before now.

[mikey k]

Moonhawk said:

Spoke to the dealer I bought the car from this morning.....he says he has never heard of this issue before now.

yeah right!

[steveatesh]

Moonhawk said:

Spoke to the dealer I bought the car from this morning.....he says he has never heard of this issue before now.

Yeah I saw him when he starred in that film, Pinnichio I think it was called

[Sunray3006]

Have a look at Aston Martin Bits - they are a specialist breakers and they have new ones listed for £1035 and a couple of used for £550 (with warranty).

They are not too difficult to take out - I did my DB9 and although when you read the sequence it sounds horrific, with a little patience its actually quite simple and very logical when you start the job.

Hope that helps,

[mikey k]

Sunray3006 said:

Have a look at Aston Martin Bits - they are a specialist breakers and they have new ones listed for £1035 and a couple of used for £550 (with warranty).

Don't forget their prices EXCLUDE VAT and P&P

[8Tech]

avinalarf said:

I have an 06 DB9 and despair at the woefully dim headlights on it

Really? I also have an early DB9 and find that the dip beam HID's are very good with only the halogen H9's in the main beam being dismal.

I am installing some 35W HID's at 6000K colour temp shortly in the mains. I have the hardware and now just need the time and inclination to install them.

I will take some pics and do a report if any early car owners are interested? I too am well pleased I dont have £1000.00 sidelight bulbs!!! Just pissed I have £500.00 taillight bulbs.

I am also certain that installing the HID's in the main beam will be legal as the car already has headlamp washers and automatic leveling but I am open to anyone who thinks otherwise to enlighten me. Not that it will stop me installing them, I just would like to know.

I know that in most cases, with cars not having washers or self leveling, the conversion is against construction and use regs, but as yet I am still to hear of anyone being prosecuted for having headlamps that are too good.

[steveatesh]

8Tech said:

Really? I also have an early DB9 and find that the dip beam HID's are very good with only the halogen H9's in the main beam being dismal.

I am installing some 35W HID's at 6000K colour temp shortly in the mains. I have the hardware and now just need the time and inclination to install them.

I will take some pics and do a report if any early car owners are interested? I too am well pleased I dont have £1000.00 sidelight bulbs!!! Just pissed I have £500.00 taillight bulbs.

I am also certain that installing the HID's in the main beam will be legal as the car already has headlamp washers and automatic leveling but I am open to anyone who thinks otherwise to enlighten me. Not that it will stop me installing them, I just would like to know.

I know that in most cases, with cars not having washers or self leveling, the conversion is against construction and use regs, but as yet I am still to hear of anyone being prosecuted for having headlamps that are too good.

Forgive my ignorance but have you swapped out the led lights and replaced them with something else? Is that what you mean? I was wondering if there was an alternative way to provide sidelights by adapting the current units. Probably not but when is as your post I kinda hoped you've found a way?

[mikey k]

8Tech said:

avinalarf said:

I have an 06 DB9 and despair at the woefully dim headlights on it

Really? I also have an early DB9 and find that the dip beam HID's are very good with only the halogen H9's in the main beam being dismal.

I am installing some 35W HID's at 6000K colour temp shortly in the mains. I have the hardware and now just need the time and inclination to install them.

I will take some pics and do a report if any early car owners are interested? I too am well pleased I dont have £1000.00 sidelight bulbs!!! Just pissed I have £500.00 taillight bulbs.

I am also certain that installing the HID's in the main beam will be legal as the car already has headlamp washers and automatic leveling but I am open to anyone who thinks otherwise to enlighten me. Not that it will stop me installing them, I just would like to know.

I know that in most cases, with cars not having washers or self leveling, the conversion is against construction and use regs, but as yet I am still to hear of anyone being prosecuted for having headlamps that are too good.

I've found the same with my dipped vs main
Very interested in your HID install

[8Tech]

As far as the rears are concerned, I have the "clear" rear light clusters with the LED's so I am stuck with replacing the complete unit if a taillight fails.

As far as the fronts are concerned, I have the small peanut sized front sidelight bulb as standard, so no expensive complete lamp units if any of my front lamps fail. I dont like the look of the later LED sidelights and am glad that I dont have them both visually or financially.

My mod will be to install HID's on both dip and main beam instead of just dip as they come from the factory.

[avinalarf]

Can anyone answer my query if this is a common problem with 2009 DB9's onwards or with the DBS or DB9.2
I ask because I have not read about this being a common problem and usually,if it is,it would have been discussed more on this forum,or maybe I've just missed it.

[steveatesh]

avinalarf said:

Can anyone answer my query if this is a common problem with 2009 DB9's onwards or with the DBS or DB9.2
I ask because I have not read about this being a common problem and usually,if it is,it would have been discussed more on this forum,or maybe I've just missed it.

There have been quite a few occurrences mentioned on here, probably not as many as the paint blisters or clutch, but nevertheless a known issue. I dare say the DB9 will be as susceptible but that's only a guess based in how similar the design is to the vantage light unit? Start saving, lol!

Dare I say you've missed them because you've been spending too much time on the computer and technology forum and you've become distracted by whirring things and flashing lights?

[avinalarf]

steveatesh said:

avinalarf said:

Can anyone answer my query if this is a common problem with 2009 DB9's onwards or with the DBS or DB9.2
I ask because I have not read about this being a common problem and usually,if it is,it would have been discussed more on this forum,or maybe I've just missed it.

There have been quite a few occurrences mentioned on here, probably not as many as the paint blisters or clutch, but nevertheless a known issue. I dare say the DB9 will be as susceptible but that's only a guess based in how similar the design is to the vantage light unit? Start saving, lol!

Dare I say you've missed them because you've been spending too much time on the computer and technology forum and you've become distracted by whirring things and flashing lights?

I fear my IT knowledge is even more abysmal than car mechanics.
I was OK years ago when I had an MGB,things were so much simpler then.

[steveatesh]

avinalarf said:

I fear my IT knowledge is even more abysmal than car mechanics.
I was OK years ago when I had an MGB,things were so much simpler then.

Here you go, trade the Db9 in for one if these, courtesy of Viz , designed for the aging DB9 owner, avoid those little embarrassing moments as you get older! See how good I am to you