HID conversion

Hello all,

I have had a HID conversion for about a year now and recently people have started flashing me because i'm blinding them on dark nights, then i had my M.O.T. the other day and it failed because there was no beam pattern.

Does anyone know how i could sort this as i don't want to really have to go back to standard bulbs again, is it something as simple as the bulbs have not been fitted correctly?

Gav

The bulbs are probably not fitted quite right. Make sure the fit sungly into the reflector and gently make sure they cannot rotate before you try to fit the spring. Recheck after fitting the spring.

BTW- you should have checked that when they were originaly fitted.

I think those HID kits are illegal, so you'll probably struggle. Nice to see the MOT people clamping down on it. Personally, I'd like to see Xenons banned outright, even on factory fitted ones.

My HIDs were passed at the MOT (I made sure he knew about them in case I needed to swap the bulbs), the pattern is the same (projection lenses?), just means I have useful 155 headlights now, it was like driving by candle light before.

Had mine in for mot failed on exactly the same. Tester said it was the blue disappearing from the bulb.
My friend who was doing the work changed the bulbs back to normal ones.
I don't think they are illegal obviously as would've been told, by the tester and he is pretty clued up on these things.

You are allowed to have HID lights if the car is fitted with headlight washers, if they are not fitted then fitting HID's are illegal(so I've been told).

I had HID's on my Fiat Coupe and it's a great mod but worthwhile checking the wiring and the headlight motors too as fitting HID's can fry the wiring and the headlight motors too if they are cheaper versions.

Cheers,

Mark

As far as I was aware, the pattern had to be correct, the spot had to be bright enough, the alignment correct, and you can have pretty much any colour apart from red.
That's my old garage told me as I had a Vectra at the time with 'rainbow-blue' bulbs. They passed them.
If you were blinding other people, was your alignment correct?

From the looks of this, it will depend on what sort of kit you used. If you've replaced the whole light fitment with standard Xenons from Alfa, you're fine. The fact that there's a problem with your beam pattern suggests not.

i got hid on my car and its only about 1 month ago it passed a mot with the hid. Before i took it to the mot i was looking for my original bulbs cuz i was worried it will fail but i couldnt find them, in the end they passed. I dont know how they passed cuz believe me they are bright (check my gallery). If you want just put standard bulbs in then take it to mot then just simply swap them back. (SORRY BADGERS NADGERS, I KNOW YOU HATE THEM BUT I THINK THEY ARE A GREAT LOOK).

Originally Posted by emranvalera

(SORRY BADGERS NADGERS, I KNOW YOU HATE THEM BUT I THINK THEY ARE A GREAT LOOK).

I just think they're a pain for other drivers, that's all. Not much I can do about it though!

HID bulbs or Xenons should have self levelling and headlamp washers to gain European type approval.

As yet there is nothing in the MOT inspection manual (other than colour, beam pattern and aim) as to why an aftermarket kit should be rejected for MOT.

HID bulbs or Xenons should have self levelling and headlamp washers to gain European type approval.

and also specific lenses

Originally Posted by badgers_nadgers

I just think they're a pain for other drivers, that's all. Not much I can do about it though!

I have HIDs in my 147 and it has been through 2 MOTs and I have never been flashed at for dazzling other drivers. Like all headlamps, if they're set up correctly they shouldn't dazzle anyone.
I for one would never want to go back to halogen after driving with HID.

Originally Posted by ally

HID bulbs or Xenons should have self levelling and headlamp washers to gain European type approval.

Originally Posted by amir_salami

and also specific lenses

This legislation only applies to new production cars as there is no European Type Approval for modified cars/accessories.

must admit, i've had HID's fitted to my GTV for over 1 months now, and always been a bit embarrassed by them - too blue (6000k), too glarey, and at night their brightness makes seeing anything other than intensely lit signs and catseyes nigh on impossible.

Last night I compared my friend's new RX8 to mine side by side, and the headlamps couldn't be further from each other - mine were as bright, but nowhere near as defined. (Even behind projectors)

The throw of light made taking a photo of both of them impossible - my car was a ball of blue on the camera.

A simple way to upgrade is better bulbs. Powerbulbs.com have details of bulbs up to 80% brighter.

Also, I too have noticed that the aftermarket conversion kits appear to loose the headlamp beam definition.

Personally, all I have is the +50% Phillips Vision Plus bulbs and they are very good. It avoids dubious legality and wiring mess.

Originally Posted by 147daytona

I have HIDs in my 147 and it has been through 2 MOTs and I have never been flashed at for dazzling other drivers. Like all headlamps, if they're set up correctly they shouldn't dazzle anyone.
I for one would never want to go back to halogen after driving with HID.

I've never flashed anyone with Xenon's, but it doesn't mean they don't irritate me.

How many times have I spent more time looking in my rear view mirror to see if those blue flashing lights in the distance are a police car than looking at the road in front? And how many times have I been going round a roundabout and caught the blue flashing lights in my rear view mirror and had my heart miss a beat because I thought I was about to be pulled over? Lots.

All cars headlights are approved units and (E marked) and must be fitted with the the approved (E marked) lamps.

Its illegal to retro fit HID's and you could find that you are prosecuted as a result of an accident.

At present MOT testers dont have the power to fail a HID equipped car unless the light isnt white, doesnt work, or has an incorrect pattern.

Mk99 Spit is in the headlight game (obviously) and no doubt will be along in a minute to tell you the full business.

A car factory fitted with HID's is E marked as such, has auto levliing and washers and has a type approved beam pattern, adding HID's even with washers and auto levelling aftermarket to halogen headlights wont give you compliance.

And the next prick with badly aligned HID's that dazzles me gets dragged out and gets thumped (unless they are really big)

Originally Posted by badgers_nadgers

I've never flashed anyone with Xenon's, but it doesn't mean they don't irritate me.

How many times have I spent more time looking in my rear view mirror to see if those blue flashing lights in the distance are a police car than looking at the road in front? And how many times have I been going round a roundabout and caught the blue flashing lights in my rear view mirror and had my heart miss a beat because I thought I was about to be pulled over? Lots.

Its not just xenons that show up blue, a lot of cars with halogen projector lights fitted give of a blue tinge to the light.
Why are you so paranoid about being pulled over, are you always driving with a guilty conscience?

Originally Posted by ally

A simple way to upgrade is better bulbs. Powerbulbs.com have details of bulbs up to 80% brighter.

I've done the same as Ally & just chaged the H7 bulbs (i have Philips Blue Vision H7, they just have a tint of blue & beem is alot further/brighter).

Could you not lower the beem with the swith to the right of the stearing column for your MOT.....?

Originally Posted by ally

HID bulbs or Xenons should have self levelling and headlamp washers to gain European type approval.

Originally Posted by amir_salami

and also specific lenses

^^^ as above, it has been well-documented in other threads. requirements include:
*projector (fish-eye) lenses
*washers
*self levelling

those of you claiming to have passed MOT have projector lenses:
*155
*164 Series II
*147 with projector lenses (looking at avatar)
*GTV

if you passed, and do not have projector lenses, you were lucky!

156 does NOT have projector lenses (except GTA).

seems that MOT inspects only the beam pattern. nothing to ensure there are washers or self levelling. pretty silly really.

anyway, the requirements are there for GOOD REASON. as has been eluded to, you can dazzle oncoming traffic if they are not properly 'masked' and are not appropriately dipped (eg: if carrying rear passengers/load).

BE CONSIDERATE to other drivers.

note: sorry to be preaching from the land Down Under, but we have the same requirements over here.