Don't waste money replacing Xenon bulbs at Dealer

[12345]

One of my Xenon bulbs had gone pink and fading.
The dealer wanted £183 to replace one bulb. They do recommend replacing 2 as the colour will be different due to age, so that would be £360ish.

I brought Phillip D1s bulbs off Ebay for £53 for the pair .

Took 2 mins to do each bulb and they work perfectly.

I love saving money !!

[xco]

Thats all very well if you know what your doing and i have fitted many halogen bulbs myself but as I understand it its dangerous to handle xenon bulbs because of the high voltage involved.
If it was so easy to do perhaps you could share your experience and the precautions you took to prevent electrical dis-charge to your self, as a talk through or even with stage by stage pictures would be better as I am sure there are many of us on this forum would like to save the money you saved but are put off by the manufacturers warning regarding high voltage components.
I too have bi-xenons on my xc90 and dread the day one goes although I go to an volvo indi with my cars I bet it will still be expensive and it would be good to know how to do it myself with out getting a poke.
I know about not touching the glass on halogens so I wear latex gloves when changing them so is it a similar proceedure when changing the xenons?

[12345]

After reading other experiences I decided to take the risk. I just made sure the lights were off !! I guess you could disconnect the battery to be sure.

I think Volvo are just covering themselves when they say it's dangerous.

Here's the guide I followed.

How to guide

Just wanted to offer a bit of advice after struggling to actually remove my Active Bi-Xenon bulbs this morning. I have a 2007 XC90 D5

Specifically, in my owners manual for that bulb, it says:
Rotate the bulb anti-clockwise
Withdraw the bulb
Disconnect the wiring.

This is in fact wholly incorrect.

On the headlight, just in front of the silver coloured balast there is a rotating collar. It is notable because it has 2 'paddles' opposite to each other, which allow you to rotate the collar using thumb and forefinger.

This has the effect of releasing the headlight's 'grip' on the bulb, after which, it is then possible to withdraw the bulb from the headlight unit with no twisting or turning required.
Then you can disconnect the cable and fit the new bulb.
Push it straight back into the holder.
Use the paddles to tighten the grip on the bulb again and replace the light.

After 20 minutes working this out I was able to replace both bulbs in under 2 minutes for each one.


Hopefully this will help someone else struggling to follow the 'incorrect' owners manual.

[Volvo Ocean Race]

Hey guys dont panic. There is no high voltage at all if car is off if key is out
As electronic modul for starting xenon bulb is working and giving high voltage at first only a second when you start your car or lights.

This is of course not 12v bulbs but please dont make panics and talking
How dangerous is this im working on high voltage power plants and
Substations and of course you must be very dummy to try remove bulb
Whit lights ON. Even than there is no high voltage not on bulb not around
Especially small leading cable is very good isolated.
The only way to get schock is if you push something inside middle contact without bulb and someone start car or lights.
After the xenon gas get high voltage to glow than there is just certain level
Of voltage but fire on is high after not.
Even then you will jump few meters but will not kill you.Lol.

I just changed bulbs last week and its simple.
Yes change both.

Prices in volvo service...no comments at all. Mafia.)

[Bonefishblues]

IIRC there are a number of counterfeit bulbs around, especially this model, so do take care you get what you pay for:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=co...w=1920&bih=925

[12345]

This is the ebay item.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/300999011520

They seem to sell lots of different bulbs and are in England.
I did compare bulbs and they looked and felt identical.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by 12345

This is the ebay item.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/300999011520

They seem to sell lots of different bulbs and are in England.
I did compare bulbs and they looked and felt identical.

I'm sure it's fine - it was more of a general warning along the line of the old adage "if it's too cheap to be true..."

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

I'm sure it's fine - it was more of a general warning along the line of the old adage "if it's too cheap to be true..."

Indeed , the volvo version will last 7 years when used as day running lights , these cheap versions , who knows , any feedback? Is the light beam still the correct shape ? i suppose even if you have to change them every year costwise it will be cheaper ...
Regarding voltages , it takes around 8000 volts to fire them up then they run at 80 volts .... as long as the ignition is off they are safe .
If you are changing one for the first time it is very likely you will break the tip off removing or refitting them . I would always take the headlamp out especialy on the older models ..

[12345]

The beam seems exactly the same. The bulbs has the same markings as the ones I replaced. Would Philips produce better quality ones for a manufacturer ?

It takes 10 seconds to remove the headlight unit ( the best design I've ever seen). I don't think you can get to the bulb otherwise as its hidden.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by 12345

The beam seems exactly the same. The bulbs has the same markings as the ones I replaced. Would Philips produce better quality ones for a manufacturer ?

It takes 10 seconds to remove the headlight unit ( the best design I've ever seen). I don't think you can get to the bulb otherwise as its hidden.

Yes, in a word , the long life H7 is an example , and that goes for other things too like Bosch wiper blades for example , The Bosch from Halfords last a year or 18 months whilst the Bosch which volvo use last up to 4 or 5 years ...