Xenon Headlight Is Orange

[citrophile]

Hi All

 

My 2005 C5 VTR has xenon lights, but my passenger light has turned a shade of orange this week and I wondered whether it was the actual bulb itself, the ballast or something else. I want to get the diagnosis right before I spend any money.

 

I've also looked at my C5 manual and it says you have to take the front bumper off to remove the headlight unit and then change the bulb which just seems such a faff. I also saw a suggestion online that it is possible to change the xenon bulb without taking the bumper off. Who do I believe?

 

The other part of my question is around replacemnt xenon bulbs. Do I have to get them from Citroen (I'm told at £100 each) or can I buy them online for around £25 which seems more reasonable to me.

 

Finally, if I do change them myself do the lights have to be reset and calibrated, presumably by someone who knows what they are doing and has the equipment.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Rob

[Johndouglas]

From reading other posts, it seems that when a xenon bulb begins to burn orange, the next stage is that the bulb dies completely. Fortunately mine are still OK although I carry a spare bulb to conform with Continental driving rules. I bought the bulb off ebay - a D1S for around 40 quid. C5s prior to 2004 use a different bulb.

 

Opinions differ as to whether you need to take off the bumper. I found on my C5 side light bulbs never lasted long. Although I tried to replace them from the engine bay, I always had to resort to removing the bumper. After the third time I switched to LED bulbs. However, there are some forum members who don't remove the bumper.

 

I don't think xenons need to be reset. Only read the precautions regarding working on a xenon system

[DaveHerns]

It's hard to see why manufacturers charge so much for Xenon bulbs when you can get them on EBay for about £20 a pair (from China ) I got a new Osram bulb as a spare for about £25

I used to be able to change the OS sidelight bulb without removing the bumper but it was always luck rather than judgement that had the bulb going in and it was always when you were about to give up that it slipped in.

I now just undo most of the front bumper fittings and pull one side of the bumper forward as it's a big old lump if it all comes off. PS Remove the headlamp washer cover first or it will break

[citrophile]

Thanks Guys.

 

I think I now feel confident enough to at least give it a go myself. I'll let you know I get on.

 

Thanks

 

Rob

[TheGoose]

You don't have to remove the bumper just to replace your xenon lamps (HID's) I replaced my original 6000k D2R lamps with 8000k D2R lamps. I know that the Mk1 C5 uses D2R type lamps, which have a reflector built into the lamp itself, aswell as having another reflector cap built into the headlamp. I started by removing the black plastic cap on the passenger side first, as this is the easier side to work on. Remove battery for extra room, you will have plenty of room on this side. Once cap is off, you will see a shiny metal round plug with a wire going to it, usually covered with metal braid. Twist this unit anti-clockwize by about 10mm. You will hear metal scraping, don't worry its just the metal clips which are tightly touching the unit. You will feel the unit come loose, so just pull it out carefully. You will see the rear of the D2R lamp now. If you look at this lamp, you will see the little clip in which you have to push in, then to the side and the clip will move downwards on a hinge. You will be able to extract the lamp itself now. It can only go in one way as there a two key ways cut into the lamp itself. So putting a new lamp in is the reverse of what I just said. On the drivers side, there is alot less space because of the suspension pump. You will find this a bit of a hand shredder, I found it easier, once I removed the black cap to stand in the middle of the front of the car, inbetween both headlamps facing towards the engine, and slide your hand in from the side, to loosen the metal unit (Anti-Clockwize) it took me a few attempts and swearing but eventually I heard and felt that lovely click, and I pulled off the metal plug unit. The next hard bit that I found was trying to unclip the clip. Again working from the sideways method I found worked, but this was after battering the end of my fingers by pushing in, and to the side all at once (again due to not being able to work head on) and shredding my wrist and arm lol! Once clip is loose, its just a reverse to secure the new lamps in.

 

I brought two lamps from Ebay for £20 and I have had no problems what so ever! They are aftermarket, so you may want to re-check or adjust your headlamp aim afterwards. Mine was just a slight adjustment for perfect aim!

 

P.S I have also fitted HID kit on my High beams aswell. They are H1 type lamps and I have chosen 8000k again for this. I tell you what, the high beam is now 10 times better than the original Halogen type lamp which is fitted as standard!

 

Well I hope this has helped you guys/girls out here

 

 

http://www.gozzy.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/6000k.JPG