do factory Xenon (HID) bulbs "fade" over time?

[Luxus Panzer]

do out bulbs (DS1?) fade over time? or is it the ballast that would make the light output get less and less over time?

My lights are not that bad...but no where near what some other new cars have with xenon's. I have every reason to believe my bulbs and ballasts are 10 years old (2004)

Z.

[MikTip]

Lots of low quality foreign immatations out there these days....

those tend to lose their light output more so than good genuine bulbs...due to the materials.

[SlickFix]

Are your headlight housings cloudy or heavily pitted? Seems to me that would be a more likely possibility. But, if your bulbs are 10 years old, it might be wise to replace them with another set of OEM bulbs as preventative maintenance.

[evo_ski]

ALL HID bulbs loose output once they get to around 3,000 hours on them.

[Luxus Panzer]

ALL HID bulbs loose output once they get to around 3,000 hours on them.

So the ballasts do not cause dimming (they either work or do not work) and the bulbs themselves dim over time?

[alpinevr]

Also if your reflector bowl gets hazy/burnt it will decrease output.

[Spike00513]

Yes. They turn blue/purple over time.

Whereas incandescent bulbs "go out" by breaking the filament, HID bulbs such as yours "fade" over ~10+ years, resulting in color change and worse output.
This is why if you see 10+ year old German cars on the road, such as Audis, and they're not riced out, the lights are fading to bluish/purple because the owner hasn't changed them.

I think the stock bulb life is supposed to be 2200-2600 hours? It depends on how much you drive at night as well, or if you drive with projectors on. Dumb people do, during the day.
Also, turning projectors on is a lot worse for the bulb longevity, than KEEPING it on. In other words, don't flick them on/off 100 times in 10 minutes. Another reason you shouldn't drive with the headlight switch in AUTO position, because it flicks them on unnecessarily when you're in tunnels or parking garages. Even then, you should use incandescent bulb DRL's instead.

Some projector headlight models, such as B6 ECE's and E46 BMW's, are known for burning the projector reflector bowls. The vapor-deposited 90-100% reflective aluminum coating (expensive process) eventually goes brown/black/faded, and light output is SERIOUSLY hindered.
A cheap fix is finding some good used ones. Depending on what headlights you have, it can be easy. Maybe find a front-end-crashed car with trashed headlights and pay $20 for the bowls. Or find somebody who swapped them out for a projector retrofit job.

[Luxus Panzer]

"projector reflector bowls"

What part is this? I am familiar with most components inside a headlight, just not the proper names. Can you describe what part this is?

[diagnosticator]

do out bulbs (DS1?) fade over time? or is it the ballast that would make the light output get less and less over time?

My lights are not that bad...but no where near what some other new cars have with xenon's. I have every reason to believe my bulbs and ballasts are 10 years old (2004)

Z.

Yes, HID Xenon lamps get dimmer as the lamps age. It has nothing to do with the ballast. The typical life span rating is 75% @ 1500 hours.

Be aware that a lot of newer cars with OEM factory HID xenon headlights, have the beam aim to far down, and the light intensity close the front of the car is excessive. The negative effects of this aiming error, are several. First, the excessive near illumination intensity causes the driver's eye pupils to constrict reducing the eyes sensitivity to low light levels past the headlight beam range, and reducing the driver's depth of field vision. Second, with the headlight beam aimed down to much, the long distance range capability of the headlights is defeated. The only reason to aim the headlights down to far, is to make the headlights look brighter than they really are. Properly aimed HID headlights will not be as bright in the foreground but will project a lot of light a long way down the road.

[Spike00513]

"projector reflector bowls"

What part is this? I am familiar with most components inside a headlight, just not the proper names. Can you describe what part this is?

That is the bowl surrounding the bulb. It is reflective, like a mirror. In the case of a projector, it is a reflector bowl for a projector. And for your high beam, you could call it the "high beam reflector bowl".
Some flashlights and home lamps have it too.

[Seerlah]

I think the stock bulb life is supposed to be 2200-2600 hours? It depends on how much you drive at night as well, or if you drive with projectors on. Dumb people do, during the day.

You say some of the dumbest things...and can make even dumber threads.

People use their lights when driving to be more easily seen, just as motorcyclists do.

[Spike00513]

Ok?

Enjoy replacing your HID's every 2-3 years

[Seerlah]

You always try and find reasoning for your dumb posts. I found a few I can make a rebuttal on from your post above, but will probably provoke yet another dumb ass post by you. Your logic and reasoning may be sound for you in your little mind, so if it makes you happy being wrong...continue to do so.

[Spike00513]

What do you think Audi made this for

Is the projector on?
No, the DRL is...

[Seerlah]

You really don't get it. Not all headlights are the same. What if a car only had one low beam projector beam in each headlamp (not taking high beam into consideration)? And you say to use the parking lights then? If someone can't see a big ass car coming at them, I doubt those 2 little yellow lights would assist. A city driving light with a sh*tty wedge bulb is even worse. 2 low beams lights or what Audi did in your above pic proves my point. You need something to actually catch the driver's attention.

[Spike00513]

You really don't get it. Not all headlights are the same. What if a car only had one low beam projector beam in each headlamp (not taking high beam into consideration)? And you say to use the parking lights then? If someone can't see a big ass car coming at them, I doubt those 2 little yellow lights would assist. A city driving light with a sh*tty wedge bulb is even worse. 2 low beams lights or what Audi did in your above pic proves my point. You need something to actually catch the driver's attention.

Headlights are supposed to be all the same, by conforming to the same rules and regulations, which in this country is "DOT"...and "ECE" in Europe...

No car would have a low beam projector, because cars have to have a DRL/city/parking light...
Many Japanese cars use the main beam for this purpose, but they just run lower wattage through it during DRL-setting...Whereas the B5 and B6 for example, have entirely separate ones...

Anyway, that's why I said. I agreed with you. To catch drivers attentions, you should get police sirens.

/end

That's enough de-railing for a thread asking about HID bulb fade. I won't reply..

[Seerlah]

I was basically sticking up for myself and others...because I am that "Dumb" driver who drives with his projectors on. With the money I have invested in my car, one extra precaution is beneficial in worth having to replace bulbs every couple of years. I have a city light that takes a little dinky wedge style bulb, but I don't even use it or even have a bulb in it. Instead, I have my low beam projectors on with my LED fog lights. Bonus...if it gets darker out progressing into the night while on the road, no need to worry (big issue with cars on the road, not realizing they need to put their lights on).

[diagnosticator]

So the ballasts do not cause dimming (they either work or do not work) and the bulbs themselves dim over time?

Correct.

[diagnosticator]

Also important is the condition of the optical elements in the projectors and housing lens. The projector reflector degrades over time, and all the optical elements of the projector and housing lens get dirty reducing how much light is emitted from the headlights. Cleaning all these optical parts can make a big improvement in headlight performance.

[diagnosticator]

Headlights are supposed to be all the same, by conforming to the same rules and regulations, which in this country is "DOT"...and "ECE" in Europe...

No car would have a low beam projector, because cars have to have a DRL/city/parking light...
Many Japanese cars use the main beam for this purpose, but they just run lower wattage through it during DRL-setting...Whereas the B5 and B6 for example, have entirely separate ones...

Anyway, that's why I said. I agreed with you. To catch drivers attentions, you should get police sirens.

/end

That's enough de-railing for a thread asking about HID bulb fade. I won't reply..

Yes, but there are differences allowed. For example the B6/B7 DRLs can be setup as the low beam projector for halogen headlights, the high beam lamp, or the fog lights. In each case, the DRL function mode dims the corresponding lamp, by using lower average voltage than when running as a nighttime mode headlight. 70% to 90% is typical.

[Luxus Panzer]

Thanks for all the reply.


I am thinking about cleaning out my headlights, however, I do ot think the lens comes off these headlights like all my other Audis :(

If my research is correct, it looks like I have to pop the headlights in the oven to soften the glue and then pry the lens off....yeah, not gonna happen.

[evo_ski]

No car would have a low beam projector, because cars have to have a DRL/city/parking light...

Ummmmmm, you realize that b5's, 6's, 7's, and 8's all have a low beam projector right?



Also, OP, you don't have to take the headlights apart to clean the clear lens. I took out my projectors and cleaned those off and then used a pipe cleaner with a section of a microfiber towel wrapped around it to reach in through the open projector hole to lightly scrub the lens. It worked great. Just lightly moisten the microfiber with distilled water and gently scrub the lens so that you don't scratch it. Be very careful about not touching the chrome rings around the projectors. The chrome is extremely thin and scratches and flakes off extremely easily.

Also, check out this link. This shows an A4 headlight with a used bulb vs a new bulb.

[Charles.waite]

Dying xenons also turn red/magenta before they blow. Not blue.

[Luxus Panzer]

Looks like I may buy myself some new bulbs for Boxing day on ebay/amazon.

Anyone have any good product reviews form certain sellers?

My basalts say D 1R/S
D 2R/S

Does the S: and H: before the numbers denote something, like projector or reflector? (something tells me I read this somewhere before)

[Charles.waite]

All xenon headlights for Audi are projector.

My .02? Get some morimoto 4300K bulbs. I have a pair in my b7 and they're excellent.

[Luxus Panzer]

All xenon headlights for Audi are projector..

Agreed, however, this is a picture of the ballast. I think that these ballast can drive either a D1 R/S or a D2 R/S

when ordering bulbs, I do not know if the D1/D2 denotes reflector/projector..... or if the R/S denotes reflector or projector...


EDIT... here is a great read on Xenon bulbs and what all the above stuff means...

https://www.diodedynamics.com/suppor...the-difference


Sooo....

" "S" is only to be used in projector headlights. The "R" is only to be used in reflector headlights"

Looks like I need "S" , but do I need D1 or D2... they are totally different, D1 has an igniter attached.

If I had to bet, I would say I need a D1S bulb

[evo_ski]

D1s.

[19jdog]

great info here. my wifes 06 mini cooper s xenon lights are much brighter than my 04 usp. I under stand why now.


thanks!

[Seerlah]

Not all projectors are created equal. Don't be surprised if hers simply are better.

[diagnosticator]

Thanks for all the reply.


I am thinking about cleaning out my headlights, however, I do ot think the lens comes off these headlights like all my other Audis :(

If my research is correct, it looks like I have to pop the headlights in the oven to soften the glue and then pry the lens off....yeah, not gonna happen.

I have successfully cleaned several headlight housings with a distilled water/ammonia mixture 50/50, poured into the headlight then shaken vigorously, then poured out. Next, rinse with distilled water and dry with a hair dryer.

[diagnosticator]

I recommend buying OSRAM CBIs (Cool Blue Intense) for replacement HID lamps. ~3400 lumens @ 5000K. Expensive, but the performance is worth the higher price.

[DJMurphy]

I have the Osram CBI's installed. Absolutely worth the additional cost but, I had a noticeable black film of grime on everything inside my headlight assy. Once it was thoroughly cleaned the bulbs true potential came out.

[Luxus Panzer]

I have successfully cleaned several headlight housings with a distilled water/ammonia mixture 50/50, poured into the headlight then shaken vigorously, then poured out. Next, rinse with distilled water and dry with a hair dryer.

where can one buy Ammonia ?

[Charles.waite]

Drugstore.

[Luxus Panzer]

Drugstore.

Huh, go figure.

I just assumed it was a hard to find industrial product.

guess that's what I get for assuming ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6jaKkE0RsI

[abel123]

HID bulbs may experience a loss of internal chemicals needed to create the bright light projection after a long time.
Due to this a gradual darkening of the inner tube of the bulb accumulates. A chemical reaction occurs in this inner tube that creates light. As a part of the degradation process, the darkening of the tube/loss of light is caused.

You can find more information regarding this on the below blog post, please check:
https://undergroundlighting.com/blog...fade-over-time