My new 04 XJR is turning out to be a lemon
#21
02-07-2011, 10:09 AM
When I had these lamps, I found that they had a relatively short life (1 year or less) compared to the standard lamps. I use the Extravision which last about two years. As hard as it is to change the right side lamp in this car, I really don't want to be replacing them much. I do like the added vision but I really didn't care for the short life span.
#22
05-03-2011, 09:14 PM
2004 xj8 vdp
I have had the flickering headlamp problem too for about 10 months now. At first it seemed only to happen when I had them set to 'auto.' Now it happens even when set to 'on.' When the headlamps turn on, my display screen dims. When they turn off, it brightens again. Two service technicians drove it to their homes over night but neither noticed the problem. I've tried to figure out if there's a pattern like rain, heat, cold, etc.. but it happens so inconsistently. It has happened when it was very dark and quite light. It happens a lot in my parking garage at the office. I thought it might be the sensor but again, it happens when they're set to 'on.' Of course the dealership can't fix a problem they can't replicate. My extended warranty expires in August, so I'm desperate to have any and everything repaired that I can before then. I haven't tried the hard reset because I'm too scared of screwing up the electrics myself. I've read the posts on this but would be grateful for suggestions unique to my situation.
#23
05-03-2011, 11:01 PM
Veteran Member
I have had the flickering headlamp problem too for about 10 months now. At first it seemed only to happen when I had them set to 'auto.' Now it happens even when set to 'on.' When the headlamps turn on, my display screen dims. When they turn off, it brightens again. Two service technicians drove it to their homes over night but neither noticed the problem. I've tried to figure out if there's a pattern like rain, heat, cold, etc.. but it happens so inconsistently. It has happened when it was very dark and quite light. It happens a lot in my parking garage at the office. I thought it might be the sensor but again, it happens when they're set to 'on.' Of course the dealership can't fix a problem they can't replicate. My extended warranty expires in August, so I'm desperate to have any and everything repaired that I can before then. I haven't tried the hard reset because I'm too scared of screwing up the electrics myself. I've read the posts on this but would be grateful for suggestions unique to my situation.
#24
05-04-2011, 07:25 AM
The display dims when the headlights come on as a normal function to dim the interior lights at night. As for the flickering headlamps, it is caused by the ballasts. They are either going bad or getting low voltage. If they both started doing it at the same time, I would suspect low voltage. If only one is doing it, it is more likely the ballast.
#25
05-04-2011, 07:36 AM
By the way, If both lamps flicker, start by replacing the relay, it may be going bad. These lamps pull a lot of amps and things will fry slowly, causing poor connections, a sure cause of flickering. Also clean all the connections in the circuits after checking the battery load capacity with a 1000 amp load tester (checking voltage helps, but amp capacity is critical and cannot be checked with a voltmeter).
#26
05-04-2011, 04:26 PM
Veteran Member
Where do these lamps earth (US=ground) to ? There are three earthing points behind the headlamps, (2 on RH side and1 on LH side) and have been known to corrode and cause loads of trouble. They are not positioned very well as they get damp, salt-laden spray on them in winter. While you have a look, check out the brake pipe running along the top of the radiator !
#27
05-04-2011, 06:26 PM
Or you can get the HID upgrade from HIDExtra.com like I did, they outperform the stock HIDs ! and costs 60 bucks haha
#28
05-04-2011, 09:33 PM
When I had these lamps, I found that they had a relatively short life (1 year or less) compared to the standard lamps. I use the Extravision which last about two years. As hard as it is to change the right side lamp in this car, I really don't want to be replacing them much. I do like the added vision but I really didn't care for the short life span.
#30
03-24-2012, 11:52 AM
Member
Flicker in lights XJR
Searching this forum as well as the general 'tech advise' one, I've found multiple complaints about headlight flicker (even some from me!). There does seem to be a fairly common suggestion to check/replace the alternator/battery, but no follow up response to indicate which it worked or not. 
I'm thinking that I have a headlight sensor problem since all the lights go off and on together (the dash lights even flicker between day and night mode as the driving lights go off and back on). I've also got an additional problem where the HIDs (both together) get REALLY bright for a split-second then go back to normal intensity. The folks in front of me have gotta love that !
I'm thinking that I have a headlight sensor problem since all the lights go off and on together (the dash lights even flicker between day and night mode as the driving lights go off and back on). I've also got an additional problem where the HIDs (both together) get REALLY bright for a split-second then go back to normal intensity. The folks in front of me have gotta love that !Thank You
#31
03-24-2012, 01:17 PM
#32
03-24-2012, 02:25 PM
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#33
03-25-2012, 06:42 PM
Banned
Back to the alarm problem, the culprit was the switch referred to in an earlier post. I removed it and cleaned it with contact cleaner and enjoyed a few days of peace, but finally had to delete the darn thing and jump the contacts within the connector.
Regarding the flicker issue, mine flickered on one occaision when my beams bounced off a chrome bumper on a parked car, then did so again not long after. Since then I've been flicker-free.
As for all of the various possible sources of the flicker problem, the bulb failure at the mileage interval mentioned above makes the most sense to me. They get weaker and finally just go out I guess.
Regarding the flicker issue, mine flickered on one occaision when my beams bounced off a chrome bumper on a parked car, then did so again not long after. Since then I've been flicker-free.
As for all of the various possible sources of the flicker problem, the bulb failure at the mileage interval mentioned above makes the most sense to me. They get weaker and finally just go out I guess.
#34
03-26-2012, 10:27 AM
After just replacing my HID bulbs, my advice would be to do it by taking the whole lamp assembly out of the car. It only took me about an hour or so. You do not want to break or lose anything by trying to do it with the lights in the car. Halogens can be changed this way, but I wouldn;t want to even try HID's.
#35
03-26-2012, 11:53 AM
Veteran member
Vito, did you at least track down your grounding points in the engine compartment, behind the lights? Seems to be the most logical cause if battery is good, you could also 'exercise' your lamp connectors, make sure they're making a good contact w/ each other...lots of voltage going through them.
#36
03-28-2012, 01:00 PM
#37
03-29-2012, 07:52 AM
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