XJR HID arc capsule replacement
#23
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JRP, though not as drastic or as quick as a halogen, the HID bulb will begin to dim and eventually fail. Their lifespan is estimated at an average of 10,000 hours, however, with all electrical components, some fail sooner, and others last longer, but output will weaken after much use.
The ballasts, however, are only expected to last 2,000 hours.
With modern cars, it is so easy to just select AUTO headlamps, or on ours 'select' daytime running lights. While DRLs are promoted for safety reasons, to me I see wasted hours of my HID bulbs and ballasts. They quickly can be used up if used in these conditions, DRLs especially.
I could tell mine needed replacing after I purchased her because one was bright, and one was noticeably dimmer. Also, the previous owner utilized the DRL function (it was still 'active') Side by side testing, my other jag had much brighter HIDs than this XJ, yet it was 2 years older in age.
The ballasts, however, are only expected to last 2,000 hours.
With modern cars, it is so easy to just select AUTO headlamps, or on ours 'select' daytime running lights. While DRLs are promoted for safety reasons, to me I see wasted hours of my HID bulbs and ballasts. They quickly can be used up if used in these conditions, DRLs especially.
I could tell mine needed replacing after I purchased her because one was bright, and one was noticeably dimmer. Also, the previous owner utilized the DRL function (it was still 'active') Side by side testing, my other jag had much brighter HIDs than this XJ, yet it was 2 years older in age.
#25
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Most headlight bulbs are still the same basic type as Edison's first light. A current passing through a filament causes the filament to heat and glow, thus emitting light. In sealed beam lights bits of the filament that burn off get deposited on the glass, making the light dim over time. Halogen lights replace the air in the bulb with an inert gas, usually halogen, which causes the burned elements to be redeposited on the filament, so halogen lights stay brighter until they finally burn out.
High Intensity Discharge lamps(HIDs) are not really bulbs. There is no filament. Instead, a high initial current from the ballasts, like 50,000 volts, cause an arc to jump between a pair of electrodes in a capsule. It is this arc which emits light, generally a very bright with excess energy throughout the spectrum, but especially in the blue range which is why the lights have a blueish tint. This is not the same as the "HID blue bulbs" on eBay, which are halogens painted blue. They look blue, but emit roughly 70% less light than standard halogens.
Basically, arc capsules are your headlight "bulbs" and you replace them when they fail.
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trosty (01-25-2014)
#26
#27
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HOLY CRAP THAT WAS EASY !!!!!
I can't believe someone went to the trouble of taking the entire front of their car off to change a light bulb !!!! Thanks Plant !!!!! When I started reading this thread, I almost a cried at the thought of doing all that. It took me 15-20 to do both HID lights.
#28
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Cherry_560sel (01-24-2014)
#29
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If I had done one or two replacements before and was sure I could do it in the car without breaking something I would. However, I've found over the years that most shortcuts either cost me money or time. Pulling the bumper cover and the light housings off took maybe an extra 15 minutes and another 15 or 20 to put back on. To me, that was worth not having to risk breaking a $100 bulb or a $1,200 headlight.
#30
#31
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Second the non bumper approach, couple of points:
1 - behind the starboard light, there is a large bundle of wires that bolts to the chassis. It is very much in the way, but the whole thing can be loosened and rotated 90 degrees out of the way.
2 - good quality replacements can be found for far less than $100 on Amazon.
1 - behind the starboard light, there is a large bundle of wires that bolts to the chassis. It is very much in the way, but the whole thing can be loosened and rotated 90 degrees out of the way.
2 - good quality replacements can be found for far less than $100 on Amazon.
#32
#33
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D1S has the igniter directly connected:
![](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/attachments/xj-xj6-xj8-xjr-x350-x358-28/70237-xjr-hid-arc-capsule-replacement-philips%2520d1s-500x500.jpg?dateline=1390637363)
I had some confusion as well when ordering, because Amazon listed the D1S as NOT compatible with our 2004 XJ. I went with my own eyes and instinct after having pulled off the inner light covers and seeing that igniter box setup for myself.
HTH
![](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/attachments/xj-xj6-xj8-xjr-x350-x358-28/70237-xjr-hid-arc-capsule-replacement-philips%2520d1s-500x500.jpg?dateline=1390637363)
I had some confusion as well when ordering, because Amazon listed the D1S as NOT compatible with our 2004 XJ. I went with my own eyes and instinct after having pulled off the inner light covers and seeing that igniter box setup for myself.
HTH
Last edited by SaturnV; 01-25-2014 at 02:17 AM.
#36
#37
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^^^^Yes
Supposedly the bulbs you purchased can be shoehorned into the igniters but have no way of staying without a couple of sheetmetal screws. You still may not have the right bulbs to pull this off. You can hunt around online about this, but to me it's just not worth it. Hopefully you purchased from somewhere with a return/exchange policy. Stinks to have to wait to finish a project, but you'll get a better result.
Supposedly the bulbs you purchased can be shoehorned into the igniters but have no way of staying without a couple of sheetmetal screws. You still may not have the right bulbs to pull this off. You can hunt around online about this, but to me it's just not worth it. Hopefully you purchased from somewhere with a return/exchange policy. Stinks to have to wait to finish a project, but you'll get a better result.
#38
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So while we are on this subject of lights....are the fog lights HID or halogen? Now that I changed my HID low beams they don't match my fog lights. So I want them to match..... cause I'm a wiener like that. I'm pretty sure they are halogen, so I guess my question is can I find the matching color spectrum in halogen bulbs? Also, if they are halogen like I think, can they easily be converted to HID? I think I like the thought of that.
Last edited by Cherry_560sel; 01-26-2014 at 07:54 PM.
#40
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