Headlights - a bit dim?

[AntMB]

Hello all.

My E class has the bi-xenon lights. They look fab, but at night, I can't see a thing with them unless I go into full beam. From outside, they appear on and bright.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[bembo449]

Check the level sensor rod on the drivers side strut is still connected pal the rot away ans this effects the angle of the head lamps

 

[AntMB]

Thanks. It's there, still connected. What I might do then is when it's dark, jack the front up and down and see if the change in strut position height has any affect.

 

[rifiki]

I don't know if it's a similar system, on a Nissan Primera I use to have, keep the lights on and turn off the ignition, lights automaticaly move lowest setting.

 

[V6Matty]

When we’re the bulbs last replaced, xennon do fade over time and could well be that their just past their best now, also anything over around 3500k in temperature then they might look white but the output is shocking.

 

[AntMB]

When we’re the bulbs last replaced, xennon do fade over time and could well be that their just past their best now, also anything over around 3500k in temperature then they might look white but the output is shocking.

That's also something I can try, thanks. I'll be needing a few bits. I gave the car a good wash yesterday, now a parking sensor has packed up

 

[V6Matty]

They can get water in their plugs and decide not to work for a while. If it’s the rear they are easier to get at and check the connections are dry and no rust on the pins, if it’s the front then I’m afraid not so easy, not a big job but take a little to get the bumper trim off correctly

 

[AntMB]

Yeah it's one of the rear ones. I replaced one some time ago and was please with how quick the rear is to do.

 

[AntMB]

I haven't done the jack test yet. Just took one of the bulbs out and to be honest I didn't realise there's a full beam bulb in the smaller light until now, I had thought that was side light only!

So the bulb is a D2S, I might try the jack test tomorrow then and see that the levels change.

 

[LostKiwi]

Fit a pair of Osram Nightbreakers. That'll make a difference.

 

[EmilysDad]

Fit a pair of Osram Nightbreakers. That'll make a difference.

They are H7's ..... Ant has bi-xenon HIDs

 

[AntMB]

Fit a pair of Osram Nightbreakers. That'll make a difference.

Nightbreakers! Now, I like the sound of those!

 

[AntMB]

They are H7's ..... Ant has bi-xenon HIDs

They do them in Ds2 Xenon. Just found some on Amazon, not cheap though, about £60 a pair!

 

[EmilysDad]

They do them in Ds2 Xenon. Just found some on Amazon, not cheap though, about £60 a pair!

Every day is a school day then ....

 

[LostKiwi]

Every day is a school day then ....

I'll let you off Andy

 

[flowrider]

If the headlight has a halogen and a xenon bulb then they are not bi-xenon as this is a single bulb headlight.

 

[EmilysDad]

I'll let you off Andy

Thanks ....

 

[EmilysDad]

If the headlight has a halogen and a xenon bulb then they are not bi-xenon as this is a single bulb headlight.

It was me that mentioned H7/halogen ....

 

[V6Matty]

They do them in Ds2 Xenon. Just found some on Amazon, not cheap though, about £60 a pair!

That’s about right for a decent bulb that will last, I tried a few over the years with my previous 211 and found that when I fitted LED sidelights and xenon build that we acted at 3600k the light match was perfect and lasted a good amount of time (I was doing about 30k a year at that point), iirc they were around £80 for the pair

 

[AntMB]

If the headlight has a halogen and a xenon bulb then they are not bi-xenon as this is a single bulb headlight.

That's correct.

Mine are bi-xenon.