Headlight Bulb Replacement
#1
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k Folks, got a 2005 XJ VDP back in January of this year, the right side (passenger) low beam went on vacation and does not appear to be returning anytime soon, so a replacement is in order.
Question is what/which H7 bulb should I get, Walmart at $10 or auto store up to $80, what have ya'll used for replacement bulbs. Yes they are halogen not the HID type.
Question is what/which H7 bulb should I get, Walmart at $10 or auto store up to $80, what have ya'll used for replacement bulbs. Yes they are halogen not the HID type.
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Andiepops (12-27-2019)
#3
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k Folks, got a 2005 XJ VDP back in January of this year, the right side (passenger) low beam went on vacation and does not appear to be returning anytime soon, so a replacement is in order.
Question is what/which H7 bulb should I get, Walmart at $10 or auto store up to $80, what have ya'll used for replacement bulbs. Yes they are halogen not the HID type.
Question is what/which H7 bulb should I get, Walmart at $10 or auto store up to $80, what have ya'll used for replacement bulbs. Yes they are halogen not the HID type.
BTW, our '04 XJR has HID low beams and H7 high beams (the low beams are the outside lenses nearest the sides of the car, the high beams are the inner lenses nearest the grille).
Cheers,
Don
#4
#5
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HID lights and Halogen lights are completely different systems with no interchangeable parts. Halogen lights use incandescent bulbs. HID lights use an arc capsule rather than a bulb. They require ballasts to supply the high starting voltage - around 40,000-50,000 volts. If you have actual HID lights you cannot use any kind of halogen bulb.
If you have halogen lights there are two different ways to get "HID" lights. The first way is to buy a set of "HID" bulbs off eBay, like these:
PT Xenon HID Light Kit Bulb H7 8000K Lifetime Warranty | eBay
These are actually regular halogen bulbs painted blue to make them look like the color of HID light. The blue coating reduces the available light output by around 80%.
The second way is to buy a conversion kit like this one:
HID Headlights Kits - Xenon HID Conversion Kits - FREE Shipping & Lifetime Warranty | XenonPro.com
These actually use HID arc bulbs and ballasts, but they go in your existing headlight. Since you light was designed for incandescent bulbs and arc bulbs have a completely different light profile, you will get far worse lighting than with the halogen bulbs. The reflector and housing in the lamp need to be designed specifically for arc capsules to work properly.
The bottom line is to use the correct part, either halogen bulbs or HID arc capsules, for your lamp. Anything else is dangerous and counterproductive.
If you have halogen lights there are two different ways to get "HID" lights. The first way is to buy a set of "HID" bulbs off eBay, like these:
PT Xenon HID Light Kit Bulb H7 8000K Lifetime Warranty | eBay
These are actually regular halogen bulbs painted blue to make them look like the color of HID light. The blue coating reduces the available light output by around 80%.
The second way is to buy a conversion kit like this one:
HID Headlights Kits - Xenon HID Conversion Kits - FREE Shipping & Lifetime Warranty | XenonPro.com
These actually use HID arc bulbs and ballasts, but they go in your existing headlight. Since you light was designed for incandescent bulbs and arc bulbs have a completely different light profile, you will get far worse lighting than with the halogen bulbs. The reflector and housing in the lamp need to be designed specifically for arc capsules to work properly.
The bottom line is to use the correct part, either halogen bulbs or HID arc capsules, for your lamp. Anything else is dangerous and counterproductive.
#6
#7
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I have seen people successfully replace the bulbs with the light housing in the car. I have seen people break the new $100 bulb that way too. I tend to be clumsy and break things when I try for a shortcut, so a long time ago I learned that, for me anyway, it's better in the long run to spend the extra time. I just put two HID capsules in my brother's XJ8 last month by pulling the bumper cover. Total time, 45 minutes, with near zero chance of breaking anything. Then again, I have fat fingers that don't bend very well, so doing it with the lamp in the car is more difficult for me anyway. ;-}
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#10
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Success; got the bulb replaced this weekend, thanks for the suggestions and guidance in this journey into self preservation. Stopped in at the local dealer to have codes cleared and get an estimate on replacing the bulb. Well, they certainly gave me incentive to self perform to the tune of $600. Explanation was our "mechanics have large hands and can not access without removing the bumper". After a bit more research here is how it was done.
1. release the wire retaining clip that holds the back cover in place (easy)
2. Wiggle, prod, bitch, pull the back cover out (not so easy) but does come out
3. remove the plug connector from rear of light. The wire retaining clip that holds the bulb in place is under the connector. (takes some doing because it's TIGHT).
4. There is a wire retaining clip that folds down over the back of the bulb and has a a turned up loop on the bottom side of bulb. I used a 6inch forceps with turned up end (same as those used for removing fish hooks) pinch the bottom loop with the forceps and pull up.
5. replace bulb and repeat above in reverse.
1. release the wire retaining clip that holds the back cover in place (easy)
2. Wiggle, prod, bitch, pull the back cover out (not so easy) but does come out
3. remove the plug connector from rear of light. The wire retaining clip that holds the bulb in place is under the connector. (takes some doing because it's TIGHT).
4. There is a wire retaining clip that folds down over the back of the bulb and has a a turned up loop on the bottom side of bulb. I used a 6inch forceps with turned up end (same as those used for removing fish hooks) pinch the bottom loop with the forceps and pull up.
5. replace bulb and repeat above in reverse.
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Brian M Williams (08-14-2014)
#11
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Also, Anyone tried one of those polishing kits to try to get the fog out of the lenses? Do you need to do anything to the inside? I'm surprised at how cloudy they are at the top.
#13
#15
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My XJ8 03 model first X350 model has HID in low beam
I have been buying my globes from these guys Headlights, Car Lights, Headlight Bulb, Car Bulbs, Car Light Bulbs | PowerBulbs very reasonable prices free shipping
I have been buying my globes from these guys Headlights, Car Lights, Headlight Bulb, Car Bulbs, Car Light Bulbs | PowerBulbs very reasonable prices free shipping
#16
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Thanks in advance.
#17
#18
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Anyone have a procedure for removing the front bumper. I have an 04' XJ8 and need to replace the low beam bulbs. I was able to get to the driver side, but the passenger side cover is stubborn (and there is even less space than the drivers's side because of the grounding wires and screws.
Last edited by hoary2001; 10-09-2015 at 12:15 AM.
#19
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My question to the experts is how does one change the little town lights in the headlights and what bulb do they take? One of those is out on my car and while it is no big deal, it would be nice to see both of them on at the appropriate times.
On headlight lens polishing, on our mini-vans I wet sanded them with 800 grit, 1000 grit, and 2000 grit wet-or-dry followed by Meguiars auto polish. Made a big difference in them and I expect to do the same on the SV8. I read somewhere that wiping them with non-clorinated brake fluid would shine them up, but it seemed a pretty drastic method so I did the wet-or-dry method instead. I found the wet-or-dry in packs of four legal envelope sized sheets at Walmart.
#20
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These are what I use. Great bulb. They produce the same color are Silverstar. Buy 3 packs. Replace all at same time, keep spares in trunk Last the same as Silverstar. About a year. There are many bulbs out there that are not DOT approved for road usage, and get you ticketed.
Last edited by Box; 10-10-2015 at 01:53 PM.