Xenon gone

[Scottland]

I noticed on my way to work this morning that my N/S headlight was out.

I've not had chance to check it yet, but is there any way to tell if it's the bulb that's gone or something else (ballast etc)?

Also, can the bulbs be changed without removing to bumper or anything else? I believe it's a PITA but as long as I don't have to start stripping down the front end

 

[SoA2k6]

Try the bulb from the working Xenon in it. It's a tight squeeze matey, but you should manage. Remove the rubber cap, then twist the bulb holder and it should come out easily.

 

[Šįk]

if not it will be the xenon ballast unit, this happend to both of mine a month or two bck. got a pair of ballast units cheap from a guy on here. paid 50 for them. renault retail them new for 10 a piece!!! also means it will be a bumper off job!

 

[Scottland]

I've just tried to get the bulb out to swap with the O/S, I've got the cover off, and the starter(?), but I can't seem to get the bulb out. It doesn't seem to want to twist or pull out?

Is there a special technique to this black art?

 

[JCC]

There's a wire clip type thing holding it in. You need to squeeze both sides to release it then the bulb will just slide out.

 

[Scottland]

Ah right, I'll have to have another go tomorrow after work, the daylight has gone for today

 

[Scottland]

There's a wire clip type thing holding it in. You need to squeeze both sides to release it then the bulb will just slide out.

I can't see or feel the clip anywhere. Is the picture of it so I know what I'm looking for?

 

[TUX182]

It is so much easier if you take the bumper off, it only takes 5 minutes.

You will have to take it off if the ballast has gone anyway.

 

[Scottland]

It is so much easier if you take the bumper off, it only takes 5 minutes.

You will have to take it off if the ballast has gone anyway.

I might have a go at that then, any guides for that?

 

[TUX182]

I don't know mate, I took mine off last night there are 3 bolts underneath and then just the screws in the wheel arch, and then pull the bumper off from the side be careful though as you can snap the plastic.

Someone might have a guide on here though!

 

[Scottland]

I've found a guide, but one of the screws on the wheel arch is rusted to buggery and the head has been chewed.

Why is nothing ever simple lol!

 

[ijaen]

I've found a guide, but one of the screws on the wheel arch is rusted to buggery and the head has been chewed.

Why is nothing ever simple lol!

Because it is a Renault, when they are building our cars they sit in a big round table inside a closed room and deate on how to make things harder than everyone, those that make it stupidly hard win a trip to Hawaii.

 

[Scottland]

Because it is a Renault, when they are building our cars they sit in a big round table inside a closed room and deate on how to make things harder than everyone, those that make it stupidly hard win a trip to Hawaii.

I managed it in the end, good job I took the bumper off though because it wasn't the bulb that went, there was a cable unplugged I think. Both lamps work now

However, in the process I managed to crack a bit off one of the bulbs. It still works, but isn't as bright as the other one.
https://www.xenonmaster.com/images/d2sbig.jpg

The brown tube bit at the bottom is now in 2 pieces, would it cause any damage to use it like this before it gets replaced?

 

[Tigger]

Just a quick question -

If one of your xenons is out, am I right thinking the dipped beam light on the dash doesn't show up when you turn them on? :S

If not my car is having it's own disco!

 

[Da]

It should do, maybe the fuse has gone instead?

 

[Tigger]

Nearside xenon is still working - and all the other lights

 

[Da]

Yeah but the headlights are seperately fused. If the offside has stopped working, check it's fuse

There are four fuses in total for dipped beam and main beam.

 

[Tigger]

Checked the fuses this-morning, the o/s fuse had blown so replaced it and tried the lights.

No such luck and it blew the bloody fuse again

 

[jenic]

Checked the fuses this-morning, the o/s fuse had blown so replaced it and tried the lights.

No such luck and it blew the bloody fuse again

Bigger fuse :rasp:

j/k btw

 

[Tigger]

lol I might try the bulb in the passenger side, and the good one in the drivers side - see what happens.

I hope the ballast hasn't gone! :S

 

[Tigger]

Swapped the bulbs around - still no joy - o/s fuse keeps going

Even tried swapping the black box that holds the bulb in place - still no joy :S

Anything else I can try/eliminate?

 

[Tigger]

Anyone? PLEASE

 

[Dink]

if it's a xenon than it's the ballast/ignitor

 

[Tigger]

Ok, how do I get to it & what do I check/look for?

 

[Dink]

not a clue how to get to it but it's probably fuber on the inside so will look fine

 

[Tigger]

New ballast jobbie then by the sounds of it?

Or a short in the wire somewhere?

 

[Dink]

tbh i'd say ballast

the way to find out is unplug it and try a new fuse

 

[Tigger]

IIRC it's a small silver box about the size of a mobile phone? lol

 

[JCC]

IIRC it's a small silver box about the size of a mobile phone? lol

Yup, attached to the bottom of the headlight. Bumper off job.

 

[Dink]

never had xenons om my clio so i'm no help as to what it looks like lol

 

[Tigger]

My headlights aren't working (dipped beam) rest of the lights are fine.

Started off with the o/s xenon out, kept melting its fuse.
Swapped the bulbs over to check if it was the bulb - they were fine so I've been looking for someone to try trace a short for me.

Now both sides are out but the strange thing is the fuses aren't blowing :S

 

[richy22]

Your car has aids.

So sidelights are ok??

Dipped beams (as in xenons??) are not working?

Main Beam is ok?

 

[Tigger]

Yeah everything else is grand

Anyone know where the relay is located for the dipped beam?

 

[richy22]

I "think" its near the fuse's inside the car..underneath the glovebox???

 

[Tigger]

Dam, thought there was another one for the xenons or something - Dad tried the relay in his dci and his lights worked

Why it's not melting the fuse now has got me bewildered TBQFH

 

[richy22]

Been wet recently on your island?? By that I mean raining!

 

[richy22]

If I had access to a manual with wiring diagrams I could give you some stuff to look at...but I dont have one

 

[Tigger]

Been wet recently on your island?? By that I mean raining!

Are you mad?
Sure it never rains in Ireland for God's sake don't be silly

 

[Dink]

i'm lost now :S

99% sure it won't be the xenon lamp. if you have unplugged the ballasts then it's going to be a short somewhere

 

[Tigger]

Haven't got to the ballasts yet mate - that's my next mission