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Do Xenons dim with age?

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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 01:38 PM
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Do Xenons dim with age?

2004 MCS, 142K, stock original Xenon low beam headlights. State safety inspector giving me a hard time, saying the beam is not bright enough. Buffed the housing with a 3M restoration kit. Passed, but just barely. Bulb? Electronic module? Thoughts?
 
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 01:45 PM
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They get a little more dim ( burn it maybe ) and then turn a little more purple/pink in color with age. You can sometimes see this on older Mercs / Acuras with the early xenon systems.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 03:13 PM
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I'm wondering if maybe in the future I shouldn't give them more time to 'warm up.' I always go to the inspector during daylight hours and he turns on the headlights right before he inspects them.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 04:18 PM
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They do get a bit dimmer with age.....and do take a few moments to achieve full brightness....
I'm thinking the bulbs are on their last leg...
So plan on replacing them...should be done in pairs...the colors shift a Bit...and the brightness drops a bit...
 
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 04:21 PM
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I was very surprisedd at how dim my original bulb was compared to a new bub a few years when I had to replace one. Defenitely something that needs to replaed preiodically
 
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Old Apr 7, 2015 | 04:28 PM
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What is involved in changing a Xenon bulb?
 
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 08:51 AM
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-7/2004 Xenon take the D2R bulbs. 63126907495 Replace in pairs so X 2. One for each headlight.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/63126907495/




Then take pop the hood, car off and headlights off.




Go to the back cover and pop it off.




With it off you will see the ignitor harness, unplug it and then unclip the holder for the bulb itself. See the prong clip .



Dont touch the new bulb glass, just replace in reverse.

Thanks
 
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 10:06 AM
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Thanks!
 
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 10:19 AM
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welcome.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2015 | 05:55 PM
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You don't need to remove the whole assembly to change the bulbs. Open hood, look behind headlight, open rubber cover, unplug connecter, open spring retainers, pull out old bulb. Reverse procedure to reinstall.
 
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