Xenon problems-2004 4200 coupe

[griffo]

I know there's been a few posts on this before but, for what it's worth, this is my experience: Car laid up over winter (battery conditioner attached) first run last week just fine, except, offside (offside UK) dipped beam out. Fuse ok and, according the handbook, one relay works both dipped beams and since the nearside ok can't be that. I know the advice is take both sides apart and swap over bulbs/ignitors/ballast controllers until you trace the fault. BUT in the real world just getting at the lamps is a real faff. Jack up and support car, wheel off, wheel arch liner off. In theory you you can get to the rear of the light unit through a little velcro hatch in the arch liner but I found it much easier to operate by taking the entire liner out. First I changed the bulb (about £30 from an E-Bay supplier). No result. Having done a bit of research, I decided not to change the igniter which fits on the back of the bulb since collective wisdom seems to be in 90% of cases it's the ballast resister/controller which is at fault. Big job getting at that -- the whole light unit has to be withdrawn via the front of the car and to reach get at one of the three fixings the radiator grill has to be removed to give access. Ballast unit looked ok and when opened up there was no sign of burning or damage to the components. However, bit the bullet and ordered a new one (about £130 on E-Bay). Result! now we have light. Some pix upcoming.

 

[griffo]

Not too sure if I have uploaded pix correctly. But here they are.

 

[griffo]

This is the new ballast unit attached.

 

[griffo]

Light unit removed.

 

[CatmanV2]

Hiya Griffo. That ballast is an OEM unit?

Looking at the connectors, I'd wonder if an ebay unit would work as well? Did you just buy the bulb, with no ballast?

Which one was it, out of interest (bulb that is) as I can add it to the equivalents sheet.

TIA

C

 

[griffo]

Hi,
Yes the ballast is the OEM unit (apparently it's a Bosch but made in France). The bulb is "OSRAM D2S 66240 / 66040 XENARC 35W HID XENON" . It's important when getting bulbs to get the same temperature otherwise they will be different colours (ie warmer or colder light). I got both bulb and ballast from an E-bay trader called "Xelixtrading-uk". Their prices seem ok and they sent the parts very quickly. Hope this helps.

 

[CatmanV2]

Perfect, thanks.

C

 

[rs48635]

^Bump^
Had intermittent operation of one headlight, now always off.
Replaced the offside xenon D2S on my QP V . Took a few goes but managed to kick it into life by repeatedly applying main beam. Next day it is dead again. Checked all fuses and relays, and swapped over the dipped beam relay. (incidentally mine was only a 20A when handbook states 30A is needed)

Do I have a dreaded ballast issue too?

 

[CatmanV2]

Seems likely

C

 

[jluis]

Are the ballasts expensive or is it just the trouble of getting at them?

 

[CatmanV2]

I would imagine they're horrific from Eurospares

Yep: £230

I fail to see that a £20 part from ebay would be less effective.

C

 

[rs48635]

Do we list an equivalent part number?
Pretty sure the Xenon bulb cannot detect which ballast is sending umpteem amps through it

Unless the diag bus thing is upset by "non-local" components.

 

[CatmanV2]

Do we list an equivalent part number?
Pretty sure the Xenon bulb cannot detect which ballast is sending umpteem amps through it

Unless the diag bus thing is upset by "non-local" components.

No I don't believe we do. Nor can I see the canbus getting upset. But for £15 vs £230 I'd give it a try

C

 

[rs48635]

Griffo

Thanks for posting and showing the part number. Found linked item on eBay number 381168181246

Anyone know if these units are handed?
I need the driver's side for my 2006 QP

 

[rs48635]

What temp are the lights in our cars? 4150K?

Found these for €60 - the pair!

2x OSRAM D2S 66240 ORIGINAL Xenarc Xenon Brenner Birne Bulb 35W 4150K BA​

Hi,
Yes the ballast is the OEM unit (apparently it's a Bosch but made in France). The bulb is "OSRAM D2S 66240 / 66040 XENARC 35W HID XENON" . It's important when getting bulbs to get the same temperature otherwise they will be different colours (ie warmer or colder light). I got both bulb and ballast from an E-bay trader called "Xelixtrading-uk". Their prices seem ok and they sent the parts very quickly. Hope this helps.

 

[safrane]

Rob,
If you are buying and fitting a pair the temp will not matter as it only changes the colour of the light as the eye sees it rather than how it illuminates the road ahead...also it will not melt the light unit.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Can a ballast be refurbished? This is a challenge, or?

 

[jluis]

No I don't believe we do. Nor can I see the canbus getting upset. But for £15 vs £230 I'd give it a try

C

The bulb won't but your dashboard might iluminate a bulb failure if the ballasts are supposed to communicate the status in the bulb/unit.
Anyway, for 15 quid I would give it a shot

 

[jluis]

Can a ballast be refurbished? This is a challenge, or?

If they can be opened, I'm pretty sure it's an easy fix.
A word of caution for anyone considering doing so, the units operate on high voltage requiring a zap of 20.000V to ignite so special care should be taken when fiddling inside the unit.

Also, I'm pretty sure there will be some high voltage capacitors inside that might still be charged if the unit was recently disconnected.

 

[rs48635]

I need a ballast unit. Where is the £15 item?

Cannot see any part listed on eurospares - just a complete headlamp.
The ballast on ebay are all £125+ which I don't mind paying, so long as it is the correct unit.

The bulb won't but your dashboard might iluminate a bulb failure if the ballasts are supposed to communicate the status in the bulb/unit.
Anyway, for 15 quid I would give it a shot