murmini - MINI Cooper Blog: Xenon Headlamps

Xenon Headlamps

murmini — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:25:22 -0500

The MINI Xenon headlamp system is one of those options that you really need to experience to appreciate.

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:07:50 -0500

Good to hear from you. I am not sure I would recommend WD40, try finding a switch cleaning fluid, Radio Shack has one and its also at Home Depot. The EHT terminals are tricky and rally do need to make 100% contact. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

"Xenon Headlamps" by Graham H

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:24:39 -0500

Hi, thanks for a great article. (I’m another Expat Brit – in Texas..) I’ve got a 2005 MC which I bought from my son in California – he didn’t even know that it had Xenons !! I’ve experienced problems with the passenger side not staying lit… After cleaning every connector and some WD-40 on the EHT unit terminals, it now seems to be working correctly again. It really irritates me when other cars have these Xenons fitted, but the glare is painful… now I know why.

Thanks again.

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:42:18 -0400

No, there really isn’t. It is way too complex requiring chassis positioning sensors front and rear on the suspension as well as the whole electrical install as well. There are some upgraded lamps available but be cautious as they do not meet some state standards. Xenons are super bright and must physically ‘dip’ down when the front of the vehicle rises such as bridges, hard acceleration etc.

"Xenon Headlamps" by Ismaelg

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:34:23 -0400

I owe a 2008 MCS, is there a retrofit kit for Xenon?

Thanks.

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:55:29 -0400

Yes, I am familiar with the cine lamps, but the much smaller units used in the auto industry do not share those risks. However, when ever handling them, one should avoid contact with the skin as you can leave oil deposits on the bulbs which can increase premature failures. They are extremely ruggedized and do not suffer so badly from long usage.

"Xenon Headlamps" by JohnP

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:18:45 -0400

I work in a Multiplex cinema and two things spring to mind. The high pressure of the Xenon gas means that we have to use face and upper body protection when changeing lamps. Also the lamp life is reduced considerably by switching them on and off. Do the same rules apply on the mini xenons? Cinema lamps run at 1600w to 20kws at 40 bars

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:03:00 -0500

When you remove the cover that is held on by a wire clip, you will see the ballast mounted on the end of the lamp. Its tricky to get the bulb and ballast out so take care.

"Xenon Headlamps" by Dea

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:15:29 -0500

HI, Where can you find the ballast when it goes out? And how much does it cost to replace?

"Xenon Headlamps" by DannyBoy

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:38:13 -0500

murmini, great writeup. I’m the proud owner of a 2007 MCS. I graduated from a featureless civic. Funny story: when I first got my mini I noticed mystery water blasts off the front corners of the car when I would wash the windshield. I looked so hard for that front nozzle. Little did I know it was housed in my headlamps. For my next trick, finding room for 25+ more ponies.

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 15:46:35 -0500

John, I am not sure I fully understand. There are no user-adjustable parts on the self-leveling gimbal. There is a risk that it may have come off it’s axis. The only thing you can really adjust is the height of the light beam. Be careful doing this as they are brutal lights to shine in the face of oncoming drivers.

"Xenon Headlamps" by John Campbell Thurston

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 09:51:44 -0500

Thanks for great article. I have MCS with xenons which but they are both levelled down and do not varied at all. Range is very limited. First of only one unit was low and varied. Now both and permanent is ther something simple I can do as hassle to get to a dealer.

"Xenon Headlamps" by paul

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:14:49 -0500

thanks!

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:34:40 -0500

Paul: There are a number of issues to consider. The conversions kits I have seen are a much higher colour temperature and tend to be very blue. The other very important consideration is how the light ‘scatter’ looks. Some cheaper kits have poor reflectors. Then there are the legal aspects as many are not DOT approved. Make sure you see the type of replacement lights your considereing before spending the money. There are a lot of discussion threads on NAM concerning this that you may want to review. Hope this helps.

"Xenon Headlamps" by paul

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:16:07 -0500

i was wondering if the HID Conversion Kits are just as good as the factory fitted xenons. Im think of converting my halogens. Basically are they as bright?

thanks

"Xenon Headlamps" by iJCW'04

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:49:05 -0500

I noticed it flickering – more often than not. Had I know about this effect I would have waited until it actually failed or warranty about to expire. Interestingly, I am now noticing that for the first second or two after turning them on, both bulbs appear to have the same illumination/bluish white color, but soon after the replacement turns into the “yellowish-white” color. I certainly hope the replacement do stabilize itself after 100 hours because its just irritating to me :( to wait 80 more hours just seem like an eternity :( ....Thanks for the feedback!

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:38:41 -0500

I have actually seen a BMW Technical Service Bulletin from 2001 that stated ”...customers complain that when looking at the front of the vehicle the new bulb has a “yellowish-white” appearance compared with the “bluish-white” of the original bulb….”

Apparently it casues no effect on the road illumination but is most noticable during the first 5 minutes of use and will resolve itself or stabilze after about 100 hours of use.

Its unusual for the bulbs to have to be replaced, although they do sustain a fair amount of abuse every time the bonnet is slammed! Did yours fail prematurely or was it accident related?

"Xenon Headlamps" by iJCW'04

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 20:08:16 -0500

Why did a new Dealer replaced bulb look less white and more brown? (have a halogen look) The Dealer claims the new Xenon bulb will eventually have the same color as the old headlamp but could not say how long it would take. I have read on NAM where others have waited as much as 3-4 months without the new buld ever reaching the same intensity as the old one. Also, I read where different brand bulbs could have this same effect. Should I be concerned – it is very frustrating to look at. You seem the most knowledgeable of Xenons that I have read online. Is there something I can do? What advice can you give me – your suggestions and or recommendations? Thanks! PS. It’s been over a week now and I keep them on during the day as well – hopefully to get it fully charged as they say.

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:36:44 -0500

I will look at mine again and see if I see this off-set. One thing to consider is that the normal low-beam setting causes the left one (right one UK) nearest the crown of the roadis going to angled differently thean the one closes to the kerb. This is simply a function of providing an extra throw close to the kerb and a little less confronting oncoming drivers. All headlights have this slight off balance. The sensors are deisnged for extra loads in the rear (a couple of passengers) rather than every bump in the road – although I do ocasionally see mine alinging during sprited acceleration or enthusiastic braking.

"Xenon Headlamps" by Gumballer

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:21:02 -0500

Thanks for getting back so quick Murry. Ok so firstly yes, against a reflection the Mini mechanics described how the lights did align properly, this i agreed with, flick on the Xenons and you see them lift up and adjust horizontally,(vertically?). But then as you walk away backwards say 10feet you see the right beam pointing off centre. The first time i took the car back they opened the “bonnet”/hood (i’m from England) the mechanic working upwards and behind the lights then supposedly adjusted/realigned the balance of the xenon tube sets in the light unit with a long angled type screwdriver, when finished they then placed a headlight measuring machine horizontally in front of the Xenons, the positioning appeared to be exact, however late back at home a I moved away, again – left beam straight, right beam slightly down and off set to the right. As you can imagine this very frustrating, my 2006 MCS is only 8 months old so i am reluctant to roll up my sleeves and go “exploring”, perhaps then it has to be A)The light frame is not centered B) the xenon tube is not moving up and down properly for self leveling or C) The locking ring is not seated properly (not centered), i don’t know. But they have now changed both the entire lighting units 3 times. You said “The other feature of these lamp units is that the light source from the arc has to be gathered and focused so as not to produce a dangerous glare? this is kind of what’s happening to mine plus the sensors, one on the front suspension left control arm and one on the rear suspension left control arm to monitor the ‘attitude’ of the car don’t appear to move.

So yes whilst I too love the Xenon effect and recommend it as an option i’ve now noticed the same “off centre? effect on other Mini’s so I would recommend people to watch this carefully.

"Xenon Headlamps" by murmini

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 06:36:11 -0500

The actual xenon tube is seated in the lamp frame, this frame is gimbaled in the light unit so that the xenon tube can go up and down for self leveling. The tube can only go in one way if the locking ring is to be seated properly. The way the tube is held in the locking ring can be seen in the photograph I have in the article. There would be no way that this was not centralized or the assembly of the tube, retaining ring and starter would not go together properly. My question would be do the lights align properly to the MINI specification or does it just look odd? I have seen the gimbaled assembly become dislocated but when this happened, the xenon would not lift up and vertically adjust, it just stayed pointing down. You can disconnect your -ve battery terminal (as per manufacturer’s recommendation) and with the rubber cover clips removed on the back of the light unit. Then turn the xenon ignition unit to the left revealing the back of the xenon tube. Once the ignition unit is removed, there is a small interlocking electrical connection that can be removed so it is not left dangling. You should then see that the xenon tube is held in place by a large locking ring. If this is rotated to the left, the ring and the xenon tube will be free to be removed. DO NOT touch the xenon tube as oil deposits from the skin can cause it to have hot spots and fail. It should be noted that the xenon tube sets into the light unit by being lined up with a small keyway. This removal and replacement is not easy the first time you do it. It is also a very difficult place to work because you have to lie back across the engine and work up above your head.

"Xenon Headlamps" by Gumballer

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 06:11:08 -0500

Yes great write up. I am however experiencing an anoying problems with mine. when i squat down in front of the car looking directly at the Xenon’s, or their reflection back at me from the rear of the car in front i’ve noticed that the whilst the left side beam is directed straight the right points slightly down and right. My Mini dealer checked the arc which was horizontal and ok however the beam is defiantly off centre. Mini have changed the Xenon’s three times now with the same effect. Is this normal?.

thanks.

"Xenon Headlamps" by Rawhyde

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:30:16 -0500

Great writeup! Thanks for taking the time to post this.

I just had a headlight washer go bad and the dealership replaced the whole headlight! (The washer is available as a separate part, but they told me they replaced the whole unit as a courtesy to me.) Anyway, back to the point.

I have read a lot of posts over the years about the excessive weight of the MINI Xenon headlights. I actually held one in my hand briefly, and the thing is EXTREMELY lightweight. I didn’t have a scale with me, but it was on the order of 3-4 pounds…certainly less than 5 pounds. For the big difference in the light output, the weight is negligable.

Rawhyde

"Xenon Headlamps" by FrankInMiami

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 11:08:48 -0500

Very good write up overall. But I would also like to add some of the “negatives” of Xenon headlamp systems, namely:

Higher cost of repair/replacement than standard Halogen headlamps.

Xenon headlights are prone of theft in major metropolitan areas. Here in Miami, theft of Xenons has become in a very successful underground economy and MINIs are not immune to the effects of this.

Something to keep in mind when parting with $500 for these babies.

"Xenon Headlamps" by waterway4

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 11:00:01 -0500

Very interesting. Thanks.

"Xenon Headlamps" by Pedro

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:15:40 -0500

Great job Murray!