HID bulb gone my 07 V8

[PUMPMAN1860]

Is it a fact that I have to go to a main dealer to replace a HID bulb ? if not, where is the best place and how much. ?
cheers

[peterr96]

PUMPMAN1860 said:

Is it a fact that I have to go to a main dealer to replace a HID bulb ? if not, where is the best place and how much. ?
cheers

No not a fact

Access to the headlights is via two cover panels in the wheel arches.
Before you go splashing out on a new bulb I'd be swapping them side to side to make sure it's not the ballast.

More info can be found towards the bottom of this thread including a supplier of both ballasts and lamps:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Jockman]

peterr96 said:

No not a fact

Correct - thereafter is just noise, Pedro

I especially love the bit 'best to remove the wheel first' - like it's a walk in the park

I took mine to the Dealer. The bulb is £6 or so. The labour is £110 or so.

Great coffee though

[yourtheguy]

Hi if it's the lamp you can get one from any motor factors, but if it's the ballast it's the same as a lot of other cars, ie focus st for one so you don't have to get it from a dealer.

[steveatesh]

Agree with the sentiments here. Mine went on my Merc CLK just after it was out of warranty


Anyway, I was quoted around £750 if memory serves me correctly so I set off researching it. I couldn't find an HID unit here apart from a dealers at dealer prices but I managed to track one down to ebay in Poland. It was duly received ( phew!) and it took me a morning to fit after finding instructions on'ine ( forums are brilliant). I saved around £600 on dealer price and had a sense of satisfaction too. Only basic skills are needed it is not complicated, just be careful that's all.

I dare say the AM units are the same as Ford so probably cheaper than I paid for the Merc one.

[Jockman]

Sincerest apologies if I've mislead anyone......I'm referring to the single sidelight bulb on the front of my DB9 being replaced last year

[Cockernee]

Jockman said:

Sincerest apologies if I've mislead anyone......I'm referring to the single sidelight bulb on the front of my DB9 being replaced last year

Phil it was technical stuff, no-one listens to you on technical stuff anyway

[peterr96]

Cockernee said:

Jockman said:

Sincerest apologies if I've mislead anyone......I'm referring to the single sidelight bulb on the front of my DB9 being replaced last year

Phil it was technical stuff, no-one listens to you on technical stuff anyway

Fixed that for you!

[Jockman]

Cockernee said:

Phil it was technical stuff, no-one listens to you on technical stuff anyway

[PUMPMAN1860]

The light now works.......after accessing the bulber holder and a couple of attempts at getting my local man to find one.. without success. I put it back together and left it in the garage for a couple of days. Went into the garage yesterday , started her up, switched to full beam and then off and lifted the bonnet. Then had a look at the ballasts.(these look like an afterthought rather than an option!) and switched the lights back on... no alarm and bulb lit. Result!

[Jockman]

Always glad to help, Andy.....

[PUMPMAN1860]

Thanks Phil..advice and comments alays welcome

[peterr96]

PUMPMAN1860 said:

Went into the garage yesterday , started her up, switched to full beam and then off and lifted the bonnet. Then had a look at the ballasts.(these look like an afterthought rather than an option!)

Bit confused. The ballasts are mounted directly to the underside of the headlamp assembly. The look something like this:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PHILIPS-XLD-145-9137-001...

They are not visible from under the bonnet, instead requiring you to crawl around within the wheel arch with the two covers off.
I'd still be inclined to swap bulbs (which have the ignitor incorporated on the base) from side to side. When the fault returns you'll then know if it's the bulb or ballast which is toast.