Xenon Issue

[*Badger*]

Help!

My passenger side Xenon light has failed, it flickered for a bit, but has now stopped working completely. I've read through various posts and have heard many things mentioned, such as fuses, bulbs, ballasts etc...

I have also spoken to Renault who say there are only two parts there could be, which are the bulb (£145.02 each ) and the relay (£153.27 per side ). Renault would like to take my pants down to the tune of £35 just to find out what the problem is, kind of them so close to Xmas!

Now im all confused, I'm getting different info from different sources, has anyone had such an issue, and if so what was the resolution, and can if possible someone explain how Xenons and each of the parts work as I clearly have no idea! :dapprove:

All help appreciated,

Badger

 

[philmots]

If it turns out to be a bulb mate you can pick them up online for around the £70 mark.

 

[gazbenger]

you can get a brand new xenon headlamp from Matt Black for £150 + vat including the bulbs + ballast packs

 

[mattih5]

Why are they so expensive? How long do they usually last?

 

[Meek_racing]

you can get a brand new xenon headlamp from Matt Black for £150 + vat including the bulbs + ballast packs

Are these the exact same as the clio ones or cheaper version?

 

[Timmay]

Why are they so expensive? ?

cos reno are w*****s

 

[f0xy]

you can get a brand new xenon headlamp from Matt Black for £150 + vat including the bulbs + ballast packs

Are these the exact same as the clio ones or cheaper version?

exact same

 

[*Badger*]

Cool, that sounds like a better option, so that includes everything yeah? and how easy is it to fit ? I know to get the headlight out is a bumper off job already.... If there exactly the same it sounds like the way to go. Have you got a phone number or URL for them?

Also could you explain what these ballast packs too, and is that the same as what Renault are calling the relay ?

you can get a brand new xenon headlamp from Matt Black for £150 + vat including the bulbs + ballast packs

 

[f0xy]

matt blacks place >> http://www.renault-spare-parts.com/

 

[*Badger*]

Ok i've had a look at all my fuses are ok, i've noticed that the drivers side (which works) there is a very slight humming to it, maybe the gas burning or somat i dont know, but on the passenger side (which doesnt work) there is nothing, does this make it more likely to be one thing or another ?

 

[f0xy]

hmmm very odd, they are meant to buzz or humm and little bit...i think its the ballast pack that does that but dont quote me on it, im sure someone will confirm on here...

 

[Gumby]

If it's the same as any other car, the ballast pack humming means the ballast pack is working (high voltages and the like). Most likely to be the bulb I would have thought though?

 

[*Badger*]

Ok the problem is even more random now, so I checked and changed fuses earlier and nothing, still dont work, half hour later, out to car, auto lights on, fire up engine, both lights work. Drive journey, two hours later, same again, both work fine. Get home and think this is very random, so whilst the engine running i went from auto to manual lights and one went off! Went back up to auto and still only one..... So, feeling very confused, I turned the car off and back on again and boom sure as hell both lights back on! Something must be loose, or tripping out or something i dont know, sounds like a dealer job, as all parts must be ok, as they work when then want too! Can Renault fix this ??

 

[Da]

Could be the ballast, lamp, or starter but personally I think it's either the ballast or the starter. Have you checked anything RE my PM yesterday?

 

[*Badger*]

Checked prices with renault and fuses on car, and listened for humming! Renault strangely say that there is only a bulb or a relay (see above), so where does the starter come into the equation?
And the park from Matt Black is the complete unit, it says it has bulb and ballast, but does it the starter also, is it all in the same unit

 

[Da]

The starter (or commonly referred to as charger) is the bit that plugs into the back of the xenon lamp before you insert it into the headlight. As it fails to 'strike' the lamp everytime then this may be the issue.