Ford Focus ST 2009 Mk2.5 HID headlamps
Discussion
With winter virtually upon us, Mrs. D.R. mentioned that the headlights on her 2009 Focus ST were rubbish and could any thing be done to improve them? After driving the car at night recently., I can confirm that they are indeed pathetic and so I felt sure some higher output bulbs would do the trick.
However, on looking at the units to confirm bulb type, i was rather surprised that the car has the HID headlamps fitted as standard. They seem to be nice and bright and white when you stand in front of the car with them on but, on the road at night, a couple of elderly glow-worms taped to the front bumper would be about as effective.
Now, my Range Rover has HID headlamps and they are absolutely superb, so i have the following questions:
(1) Ford Focus HID lamps. Are they just a bit crap?
(2) If not (1), is it likely that the bulbs are getting old and failing, so would straight replacements improve things?
(3) If not (2), would upgraded higher output ones be a better option? The ones I've found are about £70 each, so I'd like a bit of a warm feeling that they're going to sort the problem before I splash out!
Thanks all.
However, on looking at the units to confirm bulb type, i was rather surprised that the car has the HID headlamps fitted as standard. They seem to be nice and bright and white when you stand in front of the car with them on but, on the road at night, a couple of elderly glow-worms taped to the front bumper would be about as effective.
Now, my Range Rover has HID headlamps and they are absolutely superb, so i have the following questions:
(1) Ford Focus HID lamps. Are they just a bit crap?
(2) If not (1), is it likely that the bulbs are getting old and failing, so would straight replacements improve things?
(3) If not (2), would upgraded higher output ones be a better option? The ones I've found are about £70 each, so I'd like a bit of a warm feeling that they're going to sort the problem before I splash out!
Thanks all.
Pretty common with all the Mk2's.
They just generally are pretty crap, but there are a few things which can 'add' to the s
te performance. Namely the projector itself can go cloudy inside.
I did purchase a higher wattage ballast and appropriate bulb when I had mine, but was worried about the additional heat melting stuff, so never fitted them.
You could try refreshing the bulbs, but I don't think it'll be too much of a difference.
They just generally are pretty crap, but there are a few things which can 'add' to the s
te performance. Namely the projector itself can go cloudy inside. I did purchase a higher wattage ballast and appropriate bulb when I had mine, but was worried about the additional heat melting stuff, so never fitted them.
You could try refreshing the bulbs, but I don't think it'll be too much of a difference.
The HID bulbs do get dimmer over time, so new ones will improve things somewhat. But in addition there will be a reflector behind the bulb and lens assembly and the silvering of this reflector is the thing that fails and diminished the performance of the system the most. You can get rebuild kits for some types of headlight, but in others it's all sealed and quite difficult to get at.
Apparently there's a company called retrofit labs who sell repair/upgrade kits for the Focus, and according to this video, it's not too difficult to do depending on your level of experience.
See also:
Apparently there's a company called retrofit labs who sell repair/upgrade kits for the Focus, and according to this video, it's not too difficult to do depending on your level of experience.
See also:
Edited by LunarOne on Tuesday 14th November 13:58
As above, it is the reflector bowls the problem. It is vacuum formed chrome layer plating, the same type as on car exterior badges. Due to the heat and UV they get tarnished and crack over a few years or around 40,000 miles usage. This was on many cars with HID's made by Visteon and Hella from around late 90's till around 2010's when they were phased out.
Many get aftermarket items similar to what Retrofit labs use being similar to the TL-R design as these are actually aluminium metal and take the heat and are brighter and last longer.
Or the easy route alternative is to buy brand new headlamps, but being used as a daily driver after 5-10 years they would deteriorate and you would be back to square one.
Many get aftermarket items similar to what Retrofit labs use being similar to the TL-R design as these are actually aluminium metal and take the heat and are brighter and last longer.
Or the easy route alternative is to buy brand new headlamps, but being used as a daily driver after 5-10 years they would deteriorate and you would be back to square one.
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