HID Different colored headlight beams

Mark Jona T · 24th September 2007, 19:09

I had to have the ballast and bulb changed on my 1.8 ex, now I have noticed that the replacement bulb beam is a warm white instead of the standard cool white (Blue white) of Xeon/HID.

The dealer has said that it takes up to 14 hours of use before the bulb emits the normal cool white beam. Now call me Mr thickie in the corner but as this is a gas discharge bulb there is nothing to bed in.

Can anyone tell me if they had same problem when replacing a bulb or am I been played by the dealership?

PS the reason for the initial replacement was that the bulb kept flashing orange, which I was told was because the ballast wasn't doing it's job probably and this would of affected the life span of the bulb so they replaced the bulb as well.

FWH · 24th September 2007, 19:12

First HID replacement I have heard of on a Civic.

I thought mine were quite cool white from new, never saw them changing colour.
But then it would be more noticable if they are different.

Mark Jona T · 24th September 2007, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

First HID replacement I have heard of on a Civic.

I thought mine were quite cool white from new, never saw them changing colour.
But then it would be more noticable if they are different.

I have uploaded a image that shows the difference in colour between the two headlights.

The one on the left is the replacement bulb, now it is not all that clear looking at the picture looking at the screen in the normal position because the there is to much light pollution from other light sources in the picture and in the room that you are viewing the picture (but can see there is a difference). So to see the real colors and strip out other light pollution in the picture and around in the same room as you looking at the picture in, need to tilt your screen by at least 45 degrees this should be done my moving the top of the screen away from you, this makes the picture darken and you can clearly see one is a warm white (yellow halogen) and the other is cool white hid/xenon.

illegalhunter · 24th September 2007, 21:11

A Pic Of The Light Would Be Good

cylon2007 · 25th September 2007, 08:47

Never heard of HIDs needing bedding in but if they say 14 hours give it 14 hours of use and if it still looks different go back and shout at them

Pottsy · 25th September 2007, 09:00

Something looks wrong. I'd suggest just keep returning to the dealer until he gets it right.

lights_hue.jpg

Unknownsoldier · 25th September 2007, 09:13

Hi,

It's the way they are adjusted one beam is always set lower (the left hand beam is set I think about 5-6 turns higher), so as not to dazzle other oncoming drivers, it's the same on my 5 series it is your eyes playing tricks I think. They should both be the same colour, but as one is higher the light intensity increases and therefore looks whiter to us, if you see what I mean. Under the bonnet there will be a knob/bolt that will alter bith up/down but also side/side but be aware altering them to any degree will fail an MOT (it could also get you knicking if the police decide to check.).

The only other reason I can think of off hand, is the plastic mounting screw inside has snapped (which it can do if your rough over pot-holes speed bumps etc.) this will cause your 'light bulb' to drop downwards and therefore it won't show through the front, you'll notice as you drive along over a rough road, it'll bounce and you'll get sudden increases (albeit momentarily) in light output from the damaged side. If this is the case, not only will it cost a bit to replace, my Bi-Xenon lights from BMW were 4500 pounds inc VAT and fitting!!!!!! But it's also dangerous as it can heat up and melt your light unit, I'd get it checked by another dealer, or mechanic.

This may give you some help on possible other reasons only your halogen is working:
Help with non-working Xenon [Archive] - bimmerfest - BMW Forums
replacing headlight adjusters on 2001 E39 with Xenon [Archive] - bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Tom

DJReto · 25th September 2007, 13:30

Looks like the "wrong" colour temperature of the replacement bulb... The colour temperature was changed in the last years, because drivers felt dazzeld by the high intensity beam and the blue/white colour of xenon. I often see xenon cars on the street, where one bulb was changed. One side is wonderful blue/white, the other side seems yellow to me...

robbo51 · 25th September 2007, 17:33

Take it back. You need 2 bulbs the same or the left to match the right.
PS. Hes talking c.rap about it needing time to work properly

Mark Jona T · 25th September 2007, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJReto

Looks like the "wrong" colour temperature of the replacement bulb... The colour temperature was changed in the last years, because drivers felt dazzeld by the high intensity beam and the blue/white colour of xenon. I often see xenon cars on the street, where one bulb was changed. One side is wonderful blue/white, the other side seems yellow to me...

I also suspect that the difference is down to a different rated Kelvin bulb being fitted, I think it should 4,300 Kelvin and the fitted bulb is towards 3,200 kelvin see TireRack.com

Mark Jona T · 25th September 2007, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo51

Take it back. You need 2 bulbs the same or the left to match the right.
PS. Hes talking c.rap about it needing time to work properly

This bedding in period was meant to of come from Honda Tech services head office.

I have never trusted the service manager since the first time meet him, so I have now taken it to another Honda garage for second oppinion, and not told them of the history so they don't come back, backing the other dealership!!!! let them come to their own conclusion as to what the problem is.

robbo51 · 26th September 2007, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Jona T

This bedding in period was meant to of come from Honda Tech services head office.

I have never trusted the service manager since the first time meet him, so I have now taken it to another Honda garage for second oppinion, and not told them of the history so they don't come back, backing the other dealership!!!! let them come to their own conclusion as to what the problem is.

We await their conclusions. I think we know what they'll be saying.....Wrong bulb!!

Nick7 · 27th September 2007, 14:39

It is normal.

HID's have 'color shift'.
Completely new bulb is a bit more 'yellowish', while with hours of works color shifts more to colder side (range of some 500-800K), but also light intensity reduces over time too.
This means if you have old bulb which worked like 100+ hours, and replace other with new, new one will look more yellow.

But, usually after 10+ hours of work it should look much better (closer color to old bulb).

24th September 2007, 19:09	#1 (permalink)
Mark Jona T Valve Cap Join Date: 24th September 2007 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Different colored headlight beams I had to have the ballast and bulb changed on my 1.8 ex, now I have noticed that the replacement bulb beam is a warm white instead of the standard cool white (Blue white) of Xeon/HID. The dealer has said that it takes up to 14 hours of use before the bulb emits the normal cool white beam. Now call me Mr thickie in the corner but as this is a gas discharge bulb there is nothing to bed in. Can anyone tell me if they had same problem when replacing a bulb or am I been played by the dealership? PS the reason for the initial replacement was that the bulb kept flashing orange, which I was told was because the ballast wasn't doing it's job probably and this would of affected the life span of the bulb so they replaced the bulb as well.

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This thread is about: Different colored headlight beams, it's in Lights at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I had to have the ballast and bulb changed on my 1.8 ex, now I have noticed that the replacement bulb beam is a warm ...

24th September 2007, 19:12	#2 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 6,042 Thanks: 14 Thanked 67 Times in 62 Posts iTrader: (0)	First HID replacement I have heard of on a Civic. I thought mine were quite cool white from new, never saw them changing colour. But then it would be more noticable if they are different.

24th September 2007, 21:11	#4 (permalink)
illegalhunter HACKIN & SLAYIN Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th May 2007 Location: In the woods armed to the teeth Posts: 2,898 Thanks: 6 Thanked 35 Times in 34 Posts iTrader: (0)	A Pic Of The Light Would Be Good

25th September 2007, 08:47	#5 (permalink)
cylon2007 Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 14th April 2007 Location: South Manchester/North Cheshire Posts: 524 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (0)	Never heard of HIDs needing bedding in but if they say 14 hours give it 14 hours of use and if it still looks different go back and shout at them

25th September 2007, 09:00	#6 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo master Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 5,486 Thanks: 22 Thanked 169 Times in 100 Posts iTrader: (0)	Something looks wrong. I'd suggest just keep returning to the dealer until he gets it right. lights_hue.jpg

25th September 2007, 09:13	#7 (permalink)
Unknownsoldier Comedian/Smart Ase Civinfo guru* Join Date: 22nd September 2007 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 2,598 Thanks: 62 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts iTrader: (0)	Hi, It's the way they are adjusted one beam is always set lower (the left hand beam is set I think about 5-6 turns higher), so as not to dazzle other oncoming drivers, it's the same on my 5 series it is your eyes playing tricks I think. They should both be the same colour, but as one is higher the light intensity increases and therefore looks whiter to us, if you see what I mean. Under the bonnet there will be a knob/bolt that will alter bith up/down but also side/side but be aware altering them to any degree will fail an MOT (it could also get you knicking if the police decide to check.). The only other reason I can think of off hand, is the plastic mounting screw inside has snapped (which it can do if your rough over pot-holes speed bumps etc.) this will cause your 'light bulb' to drop downwards and therefore it won't show through the front, you'll notice as you drive along over a rough road, it'll bounce and you'll get sudden increases (albeit momentarily) in light output from the damaged side. If this is the case, not only will it cost a bit to replace, my Bi-Xenon lights from BMW were 4500 pounds inc VAT and fitting!!!!!! But it's also dangerous as it can heat up and melt your light unit, I'd get it checked by another dealer, or mechanic. This may give you some help on possible other reasons only your halogen is working: Help with non-working Xenon [Archive] - bimmerfest - BMW Forums replacing headlight adjusters on 2001 E39 with Xenon [Archive] - bimmerfest - BMW Forums Tom

25th September 2007, 13:30	#8 (permalink)
DJReto Valve Cap Join Date: 25th May 2007 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Looks like the "wrong" colour temperature of the replacement bulb... The colour temperature was changed in the last years, because drivers felt dazzeld by the high intensity beam and the blue/white colour of xenon. I often see xenon cars on the street, where one bulb was changed. One side is wonderful blue/white, the other side seems yellow to me...

25th September 2007, 17:33	#9 (permalink)
robbo51 It wasn’t me! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,440 Thanks: 57 Thanked 54 Times in 51 Posts iTrader: (0)	Take it back. You need 2 bulbs the same or the left to match the right. PS. Hes talking c.rap about it needing time to work properly

27th September 2007, 14:39	#13 (permalink)
Nick7 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 10th August 2006 Location: Croatia Posts: 453 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	It is normal. HID's have 'color shift'. Completely new bulb is a bit more 'yellowish', while with hours of works color shifts more to colder side (range of some 500-800K), but also light intensity reduces over time too. This means if you have old bulb which worked like 100+ hours, and replace other with new, new one will look more yellow. But, usually after 10+ hours of work it should look much better (closer color to old bulb).