Help with Xeneon headlight failure

Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Hi Guys

Hope someone can assist, one of my Bi Xenon headlamps has failed on my 2012 Exeo Sport Tech. Started the car up as normal from work last night and about 15 seconds later ‘Ping!’ up pops the driver’s side headlight warning light. Did the usual, turned it on and off a few times to see if it was a false call but unfortunately not. The light is out all the time so it’s not flickering or intermittent.


Changing the bulb:-

Looking at the owner’s manual, it states ‘This type of bulb should be replaced at a qualified workshop’.

So other than high voltages involved is there anything else I should know about having a go at changing the bulb myself before I even think about taking it to the local Stealers? Though the car is still under warranty I have a feeling that a bulb is classed as a consumable and not included under its warranty. So 1st thing I was going to do was swap the bulbs over with the working one to see if it’s the bulb or the electrics.


Prices:-

Had a quick look at prices of bulbs and Euro car parts don’t sell them! So other than the usual Ebay promise of ‘Genuine’ ‘high quality’ ‘top spec’ ‘OE’ bulbs at £10 a set and 6 weeks delivery on the slowest boat from China I found this site selling one at just under £50 :-

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/replacement-d1s-xenon-hid-bulbs/?bulb_search=car&end=front

Anyone had any experience with them? Anyone else recommend another source to supply a replacement bulb?

Cheers

Flobadob
 

Mr Bigglesworth

Active Member
Dec 13, 2008
385
0
Herts
You can still ask the stealers part department for a price of the bulb only or try a Trade Part Specialist - best to go actual OE for these I would say.
 
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Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Also

Do the lights need calibrating or aligning or is it automatic?

More interesting toilet reading

http://www.carsdirect.com/aftermarket-parts/the-different-types-of-xenon-headlights

http://www.xenonbulbs.com/pdf_manuals/xenon_bulb_info/xenon_bulb_failure_analysis.pdf


Oh and also found Euro car parts do sell them..

http://www.eurocarparts.com/replacement-xenon-bulbs


Might just get Halfrauds to fit it as only a few quid more than buying the bulb outright and ive got a discount code somewhere :D

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bu...s-high-intensity-discharge-hid-xenon-bulb-d1s
 
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Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Update

I was convinced by my associates to just get the lamp changed at Halfrauds on the way back from work. So I ordered it online to be picked up and installed in store.
Turned up and I had to wait 10mins for the specially trained bod to become available to fit it. 15mins later and a straight swap for a new one and still no worky! :cry:

So I convinced him to try the new one and old one in the working headlight and both worked

So that then meant I spent £67 on a bulb which I didn't need :censored::censored::censored:

I said to Halfrauds 'specially trained Xenon light fitter' what do I do with the new bulb now, he looked at me and said come I will get you a refund ;)

Not only for the bulb but for the 45min fitting cost and diagnostics :D:D:D

So I got home checked the fuse, all ok.
With my new found knowledge of Xenon light removal (turn ignition off and switch lighs off and remove bulb) Took the lamp out and checked the contacts for rust and contamination, all ok


With the car still in warranty at Listers Seat its a phone call to Seat on Mon to get it booked in, also got what sounds like a blowing exhaust when the car is cold (freezing overnight cold). Soon as car is warms after a mile or so it disappears.... Fingers crossed its a warranty job
 
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Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Arse!

Listers Seat identified the headlight failure as water ingression in the headlight due to accident damage that cannot be seen until the headlight is removed. So not applicable to a warranty claim. The water ingression has corroded the connections in headlight module causing the module to burn out.

Their quote for repair was ridiculous (have a guess if you want) so now looking for a local garage around Warwick or Solihull to quote me on supply and fit of

Ballast Seat Pt No. 4L0907391
Power Mob Seat Pt No. 7L6941329A
Headlamp Seat Pt No. 3R2941754C

Anyone recommend one?

Anyone got access to a maintenance manual so I can see how to remove the headlight? Apparently its bumper off to access it...

Cheers

Flobadob
 

Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Oh yeah the funniest thing was that if the bulb was faulty they would charge me £171 to fit a new one!!!!! I said why so much, the service manager replied well that includes removing the bumper and headlight to fit it. I pointed out the fact that the bumper and headlight would be removed so it could just be clipped in place and the cable connected. I stopped him 1/2 way thro the bull that came out his mouth that followed and said so your telling me that each of these parts you've quoted for, you're actually going to remove and replace the bumper and headlight each time for all 3 parts and not fit them together...

Crazy!
 

chris_foci

Newbie
Apr 3, 2006
33
0
Check out European Ebay, most of those parts you'll pick up from there. With the Euro being so strong it will be a lot cheaper.

Bumper removal is a piece of piss, you'll have the whole lot fixed in under an hour.
 

Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Update:

I've sourced the following for £108 delivered for new units as these are used in many VAG cars. Seat wanted over £560 for these 2 parts alone :)

Ballast Seat Pt No. 4L0907391
Power Mob Seat Pt No. 7L6941329A

Struggling to find a driver side headlight with a DRL so going to remove the headlight myself, hoping I can remove a few screws from the bumper to allow me access to remove the headlamp (anyone had any experience with this?). Then check out the damage to the headlamp and see if its repairable.

Cheers
 

Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Update:

Removed the headlight (loosened bumper to get it out) and found that there was indeed accident damage, but it took 10mins to find it as it was so small. No sign of damage to the bumper of the car not even a slight scratch. I am assuming it was bumper to bumper contact in a car park that caused the damage to the bracket behind the bumper and cracked the plastic/glass of the headlight. I thought great now I can dry it out and repair it only to find when removing the Ballast that it had shorted and melted the connector which is part of the headlight :(. Im sure the connector can be replaced but with experience with electronics when something goes bang like that something else also goes bang so I'm taking the expensive but safe route of buying a replacement headlight....

So I've been looking for a replacement headlight for the last week, SEAT RRP was £564 for the headlight alone. Couldn't find any 2nd hand on Ebay UK or Europe, no scrappies had any. Eurocar parts said they had one that fitted my description and pic I sent them only to find when it was delivered that it was a pre facelift version as thought. (Full refund tho incl delivery cost :))

Finally sourced a headlight a little cheaper than RRP from ******* in St Albans but they wouldn't deliver and Midland VW but they wanted £25 P&P. But then I gave Listers SEAT in Coventry a bell and they agreed to match the St Albans quote of £479, note Listers SEAT Worcester wouldn't budge on the RRP...:censored:


Listers SEAT Worcester quote for repair £1398

My cost for repair £588 (includes all new parts)


I wont be going back to Listers SEAT Worcester for any more work its Listers SEAT Coventry for any dealership work from now on....
 

Flobadob

Active Member
Apr 6, 2015
83
1
Warwickshire
Hopefully final update :D

Finally got round to fitting the headlight on Friday night, easy job as I had already taken it apart a few weeks prior. Remove 3 screws and a plug from wheel arch, 2 x nuts from behind the bumper, 3 x screws from the grill, then loosen 2 of the long bolts of the headlight and remove the top securing screw. Then with a bit of flexing of the bumper you can pop out the headlight....

Refitted the new headlight, new ballast and new motor driver recommended by SEAT to find the new motor driver was faulty. So refitted the old one to find out it still was working correctly even though Listers Seat Worcester said it needed replacing. So another saving and adding another ever growing list of reasons to avoid Listers Seat in Worcester :censored:


Listers SEAT Worcester price:-
Headlight £564
Ballast £271
Motor driver £288
Lamp £171
fitting £106
Total £1400


My cost:-
£479 for headlight (Seat Listers Coventry)
£50 for Ballast (Ebay)
Total £529


Headlight has been working faultlessly all weekend on my drive round South Wales.

Thank you to all those whom have assisted and provided bumper removal instructions and advice.

Cheers

Flobadob
 
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