Member Since: 06 Oct 2006
Location: KENT
Posts: 4645
Swapping headlights
When I pick up the new car I was going to swap my xenon's onto the new one, then place the halogens back onto my p/x.
Is it possible to do this
Does the car (either car) need to be reprogrammed so it knows what lights its got
How long would it take to do
31st Dec 2008 11:56 am
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
It will work fine.
Takes 10 minutes or so. Depends on how stiff the fixing bars are.
You will find that the lights will flicker momentarily when turned on though. If the engine is running before you switch on, then they (99% of the time) will not flicker.
The headlamp units are no different from MY05 as far as we can tell, but something causes the flicker.
My units are 4 years old now and still work OK after spending 3 years on a MY05 and now a year on a MY08.
No dealer fiddling involved, just a straight swap.
31st Dec 2008 12:00 pm
GLYNNE
Member Since: 06 Oct 2006
Location: KENT
Posts: 4645
Funny that, your answers are what I thought.
The dealer that I'm buying the new one from want me to drop my p/x off a day early so they can swap the lights over and reprogram both cars. I challenged him saying that it is a case of simply swapping the light units over and from what I know there is no programing to be done.
My lights are well greased and ready for the swap so it should take all of about 10mins.
He insists the car wants programing, so they are the experts, let them get on with it, but I'm insisting they do it whilst i wait as i'm sure it wont take a day to complete so his reply was well I cant promise it will be clean and shiny after the workshop has been near it
31st Dec 2008 12:25 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Well if they do find a magic setting please let me know. AFAIK there isn't one.
31st Dec 2008 1:25 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
As long as they're standard Xenons not adaptive, it's a straight swap - nothing in the SW to be modified. Adaptives will only work on a vehicle with the correct ECM and wiring
31st Dec 2008 4:07 pm
GLYNNE
Member Since: 06 Oct 2006
Location: KENT
Posts: 4645
Cheers just as I thought
31st Dec 2008 4:10 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Iain, you any idea why the flickering happens when they are started from cold or if the engine is not running ?
I guess its just a power issue with the new D3's and that something is missing or rewired.
Headlamp unit still carries the same part number as it always did - even in the MY8.5's
Not an issue, just wondered.
31st Dec 2008 4:50 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
Yep, it's because headlamp power is FET controlled, on a halogen vehicle, it ramps the voltage up slightly slower than on a Xenon equipped vehicle, it IS software controlled but the dealer cannot change it without an engineering code from LR - which they won't give out as it's effectively a 'specification change'. The modified software in the CJB was introduced to provide a longer life for the halogen lamps but as you're aware, this causes the Xenon's to 'hesitate' due to a slightly lower initial strike-up voltage
31st Dec 2008 5:04 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Ah, Thanks. Thought it was something like that.
Explains why when the engine is started they very very rarely flicker. Never use the Auto setting on the lights so does not really matter from an aesthetic point of view.
31st Dec 2008 5:08 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Glynne you can always let me have them and I will try them for you MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
31st Dec 2008 5:43 pm
GLYNNE
Member Since: 06 Oct 2006
Location: KENT
Posts: 4645
Well if you want some brand new halogens then I could let you try my xenon's for a week, whilst I exchange your old lights for some brand new ones
31st Dec 2008 5:49 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Thanks for the offer, I will stick with my lamps, you watch now I will get one damaged by a stone or something, just my luck MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
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and ready for the swap so it should take all of about 10mins.
so his reply was well I cant promise it will be clean and shiny after the workshop has been near it 
