Dim Headlights

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 3:17 pm

Car just failed its MOT on (among others) the headlights being too dim. I converted to 35W 4300k HIDs about six months back, and although they were an improvement on the original candles, they're certainly not ultra-bright glares, even when warmed up.

Is it likely to be the reflectors themselves? Is there any quick check I can do to the clusters to improve the brightness, or do I have to fork out for another pair of headlights?

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 3:25 pm

I had a similar issue with one of my lights and it turned out to be the reflector.

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 3:46 pm

One assumes that the earth connection is properly made to nice,clean metal?
Also that your battery is delivering full voltage at the HID gadget?

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 4:20 pm

Reflectors don't do anything on a projector headlamp! They're just there to match the main beam light in appearance and increase the appearance of the parking bulb.
The ballasts should give a constant output over quite a wide range of input voltages, so a marginally low supply voltage shouldn't have any effect.
The only suggestion I can make is that there is a problem with the ballasts. I recently installed a kit with a pair of new slimline ballasts in a car, and was less than impressed with the results. It was only when I borrowed a ballast from one of my other cars and tried it in place of one of the originals and could see the vast difference in output (and colour) between the two sides that I realised for certain that there was a problem.

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 4:24 pm

If you're right about the actual lamps Brian, then it sounds like these cheap chinese HIDs are a bit shonky. I'll get another ballast and see what difference it makes.

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 4:32 pm

I ordered them too

(cheap chinese HIDs) so now I know what to expect

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 5:09 pm

I'm sure it's not ALL Chinese HIDs. The trouble is, when I bought the kit I ordered a 35W 4300k, and they sent me H7 instead of H1 bulbs. So I ordered some H1 bulbs, and now I'm wondering if they're 55W instead of 35W (hence too dim). I looked at the box the bulbs came in, but they don't say what wattage they are.

Not sure whether to buy new bulbs or new ballasts

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 5:47 pm

pianist wrote:I ordered them too (cheap chinese HIDs) so now I know what to expect

I have bought two sets(one for each E30)and have had no problems,both been fitted several years.

Post Sat Sep 28, 2013 6:19 pm

I've bought and fitted several sets of these cheap HID sets over the last few years, and this last set is the only ones that have given trouble, except for one ballast that failed after about a year.
This was the first 'slimline' set I've bought though, and it's strange that both sides were equally affected.

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:54 am

Well, fitted new ballasts and went back for the MOT, and still failed. Both lights are definitely brighter, but one side simply isn't producing a beam pattern; the light's coming out all over the place.

So is there a chance that the projector could lose its focus?

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:18 am

Do not forget that the outer headlights are 'handed' and can be set to dip left and right.

So it is possible to have the l/h light in the r/h side,set to dip the 'wrong' way!

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:24 am

Have you unplugged the black wiring bracket on the inner wing behind the passenger(uk) light unit.

I had to do this but not all e30's had this fitted.

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 12:15 pm

It's not about dipping left or right Malc, they're not really cutting the beam at all - even in my garage I can see that the left side is a diffuse glow compared to the right hand's sharp beam cut-off.

I even tried sticking the original candle bulbs in there and the difference remains, so it's got to be something wrong with that particular lamp.

Sanchez, no idea what wiring bracket you're referring to.

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 12:16 pm

Grrrmachine wrote: So is there a chance that the projector could lose its focus?

The lens won't lose its shape, and its mounting arrangements are rigid and strong enough for the job, so I doubt if there's a problem there. The weak point is the HID burner itself. It's essential that it places the discharge tube exactly in the same place as the original H1 filament was.
Can't say I've ever examined it in detail, but I suppose the fixings of the shallow V shaped beam cut off plate possibly involves spot welds which conceivably could have broken.
The only comment I've ever had from an MOT tester about any of my HID converted BMWs is how accurate and sharply defined the beam pattern was.

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 12:20 pm

Sanchez is referring to the dim dip driving light resistor plug, which causes HIDs to strobe on the first headlamp position if left connected. Shouldn't have any effect when the switch is in the headlamp position, and definitely won't have any effect on beam pattern.

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 12:20 pm

Reads to me as if it's time to replace the light unit!

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 12:22 pm

Whole projector unit is easily enough removed for inspection, by completely removing the three screws that you loosen for left/right dip adjustment.

Post Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:19 pm

Cheers Brian. I whipped the projector unit out, and think I've found the cause.

The first iteration of HIDs must have overheated, because there's a distinct melting of the reflector face on one side. This has covered the entire reflector and the lens with greasy plastic smoke, diffusing the light. So a new lamp is definitely needed.

Post Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:13 am

Thought I'd update this.

Thanks to Polish regulations, HIDS are no longer an option (they have to be homologated auto-levelling units with beam height adjustment and washwipe

). So I had to ensure the OEM lights worked as they should.

A local place advised replacing the reflector unit and polishing the glass face. The reflector unit is held on with three screws, and is identical to E34 (and possibly E32) units. Two of those plus the glass face polishing came to about 120 quid.

The difference is PHENOMENAL. I never realised just how poor my lights were until I fitted the new ones - it now feels like I've bolted two lighthouses to the front of the car.

So if your headlights aren't cuttting it, do a google for your local Headlight Renovation workshop, and see if they can replace the reflectors for you.

Post Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:46 am

Grrrmachine wrote:
The difference is PHENOMENAL. I never realised just how poor my lights were until I fitted the new ones

Yet another example of what I'm often posting on here - there is very little that is 'inadequate' about any aspect of an E30, and needs 'upgrading'. It just needs returning to how it was when the car left the factory.