High Beam partially stuck on

[wirrah]

Having an issue with our 01/09 build D3 where the dipping the headlights only does a partial dip. I believe that when high beam is on the low beam lamps rise to give better distance view (according to the the service centre anyway). When I dip the lights only the near flood dips. The distance remains lit. This is intermittent and will sometimes resolve itself!

Any help appreciated. It was in for service today but they couldn't replicate the issue but it was stuck all the way home :(

cheers

[Neil P]

....dipping the headlights only does a partial dip. ...... the low beam lamps rise to give better distance view (according to the the service centre anyway). When I dip the lights only the near flood dips. The distance remains lit. This is intermittent and will sometimes resolve itself!

....the issue but it was stuck all the way home :(



The bixenons have a mechanical shield for hi/lo . Only one light element
unlike halogen bulb headlights. When the Bixenon is on , does the inner halogen
function. Mine only uses halogen for flashing the lights IF THE bixenons
are not on ( bixenons have a slow response time .... )
The "elements" move , you think ............ umm
Can you get both types on together ?:confused:

[wirrah]

The "elements" move , you think ............ umm
Can you get both types on together ?:confused:

That's what the service guy said but maybe he was referring to the shield. What I need to do is look for myself. I'll set it up tonight and try and work out what is or is not happening and get a better description.

Basically when you go back to low beam the lights still reach into the distance and high on the sides but the intermediate reach drops back again. Sorry hard to describe. But it doesn't work like it used to!

cheers

Greg

[Neil P]

This could be a software glitch .......

[Tombie]

This could be a software glitch .......

Ctrl-Alt+Del and kill the process!

[wirrah]

When the Bixenon is on , does the inner halogen
function.

Inner lamps go on and off with the high beam. What should I actually be seeing in the bixenons (without going blind). I guess what I am asking is there a visible reaction in these lamps close up.

Thanks for your help by the way. I didn't realise how these worked.


Ctrl-Alt+Del and kill the process!

I was going to try that but my Mac doesn't have an ALT key.

cheers

Greg

[Neil P]

The bixenon tube is an on or off device. The mechanical blind
blocks the top part of the beam on dipped , and allows all
the beam on high . I love 'em . They beat the Hell out of Halogens.
With the light off, you can see the blind through the lens .........

I believe the halogens are only installed to meet ADR for a "light flash"
device , which is strange since what about "flip-up lights" ?

[Graeme]

Its illegal to flash where I live, so I can't see that its an ADR requirement.
The halogens are required by ADR to fill-in the sides of the bi-xenons as the bi-xenons don't illuminate sufficient width. You will see that the halogens are a wide strip, on the D4 anyway, although some like mine illuminate possums in the branches above instead of the road.

[wirrah]

Well after some research and the helpful input here I'm thinking that the solenoid that changes the shutter/blind position is not actuating and it is now stuck in the high beam position. The halogen infill lights work fine.

I'll have a very close look at things tomorrow.

cheers

Greg

[Neil P]

The bixenons are all warranty , unlike bulbs . You on warranty ?

[Neil P]

Its illegal to flash .

For whom ?

[Graeme]

Not allowed to flash on-coming traffic in NSW.

[Neil P]

How do you signal Give-way to oncoming Graeme ?

[CaverD3]

From a forum: roadwatch.com.au Forums: headlight radar warnings (http://www.roadwatch.com.au/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19)


"What is the legality?

You can be booked for the use of High-Beam lights in a built up area. Therefore by flashin you lights you are liable if you are caught.

However....

The use of headlights is not. So by turning your lights on & off again (during the day only) (very similar action and as noticable during the day) you are not in breach of any road laws.

If you are intercepted, and asked why you "Flashed your lights" a legal response to this is. "That you were checking the function of your headlights."

"The offence is Hindering Police. That is hindering the Police Officer who is performing his duties under the Traffic Act.

People have been fined but it is rare and requires admission of flashing to warn other motorists of a radar.

If you're ever questioned in relation to this, be very careful how you answer."



? Tony's blog ? Blog Archive Obstruction (http://blog.tmorris.net/obstruction/)

[Neil P]

"I wasn't flashing , Officer . My front adjustable-rods spasms
from time-to-time" .............;)

[wirrah]

The bixenons are all warranty , unlike bulbs . You on warranty ?

Yes, under warranty. I cannot see anything through the front glass (except my own reflection). Decided to pull the head lights out, as per the book, to check and make sure vermin (ie. rats) had not decided to chomp some wires but gave up as I could not budge the outside locking bars on the head lamp assembly (inside ones were easy)

This is our second D3. When I first started driving it I thought the low beam was too low compared with the previous vehicle. Maybe it's trying to make up for it.

Greg

[Staggers]

I've got an early 2009 model D3 too (feb manufacture date) and it does the same thing - drivers side gets stuck on high beam. the little shutter seems to jam about one in every 10 times I use it - seems to be more likely to jam if I just do a quick flash to let people into traffic - which then has the opposite effect becuase they think I'm an angry man trying to blind them.

To prevent further rage and blindness I need to get out, run around the front of the car, gently knock once on the headlight lens and that jiggles the shutter to dip the beam.

Will bring this up as a warranty thing at the next service.

[wirrah]

I've got an early 2009 model D3 too (feb manufacture date) and it does the same thing

Good to know. Thanks. I haven't had a chance to much about this. It's currently back to low beam and I'll just keep my hands off the flasher until I get it to the dealers.

cheers

Greg

[Bushwanderer]

Hi Wirrah,
This is not an uncommon problem with bi-xenons.

Some people have had success by operating the high-beam, low-beam a number of times. If this doesn't work, replacement is the alternative.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[wirrah]

Hi Wirrah,
This is not an uncommon problem with bi-xenons.

Thanks Peter. We did not have the issue with out '04 D3 so I was a bit surprised when I first noticed it. Anyway I'll chase it up with the dealer.

cheers

Greg

[Staggers]

I've got an early 2009 model D3 too (feb manufacture date) and it does the same thing - drivers side gets stuck on high beam. the little shutter seems to jam about one in every 10 times I use it - seems to be more likely to jam if I just do a quick flash to let people into traffic - which then has the opposite effect becuase they think I'm an angry man trying to blind them.

To prevent further rage and blindness I need to get out, run around the front of the car, gently knock once on the headlight lens and that jiggles the shutter to dip the beam.

Will bring this up as a warranty thing at the next service.

Told the guy at Lance Dixon about it when I booked the 46k service... ($100 pollen filter, $100 wipers... etc... is that gouging or normal?). They ordered a replacement headlight which took a week to arrive... fair enough.

I dropped in at lunchtime and it only took them 20 minutes to put in while I waited watching Oprah on their giant TV - I guess that's why wipers cost $100.

[Neil P]

... $100 pollen filter, $100 wipers... etc... is that gouging or normal ?

It's both !:mad:

[wirrah]

I know this has been a while...

Had the right head headlamp unit replaced under warranty 6 months ago after clearly demonstrating the issue to the dealer. Now the left hand is showing the same issue. Off to the dealer shortly and only a week short of warranty!

[MelbD3]

My 2005 D3 TdV6 had the same problem. The shutter would stick in the high-beam position about once every 10 times. If there was no on-coming traffic and it was possible to drive on then the shutter would drop down to the low-beam position after some 10 to 30 seconds after continued driving. Sometimes it would drop down after hitting a bump. If this did not happen, a sharp tap to the light would make it drop down ... but the problem went away completely after driving from Melbourne, to the Pilbara, via the Tanami track and the Gibb River Road. We drive with the lights on at all times - not sure if this is important for this particular "treatment" ... but is a good idea for safety anyway.

So, my advice to anyone with the problem is to take a long, long trip along some corrugated roads.

[wirrah]

Yes, very bad roads make it drop down but freeway travel is a problem. In my case it will not drop back under normal circumstances. Anyway it's going to the dealer next Thursday with 3 days of warranty left to go.

Mine is a late 2008 build, purchased in Feb 2009