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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: branchespark on 31 January 2011, 09:12

Title: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: branchespark on 31 January 2011, 09:12
Hi all,

When my Xenons are on dipped or main, there is a really annoying shadow in my view. It's like a hair being in an old camera or projector. Everywhere I go, it's following me (I'm starting to get attached to it.) It's not my eyes - I've rubbed them a few times!  :tongue:

I think, but am not 100% sure, that it moves when the Xenons bend for corners. Tricky to work out, as I should be looking at the road!

As you can see from the attached pics, it makes the journey along my drive a bit distracting. I am constantly on the look out for deer, pheasants and partridges, so staring at this little shadow is endangering my honeycomb.

So, question is this, do I have a faulty Xenon (passenger side - that's the one casting the shadow)? I have cleaned it and there is nowt on the lens.  :angry:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8035571/forums/www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/xenon/IMG_1721.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8035571/forums/www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/xenon/IMG_1723.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8035571/forums/www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/xenon/IMG_1724.jpg)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8035571/forums/www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/xenon/IMG_1725.jpg)

Any ideas? How do I explain this on to the dealer?!
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Doc on 31 January 2011, 09:21
Looks like you may have a crack or contamination on or inside your lamp unit.

Take the photos with you and I'm sure they'll get the picture.

Looks like a fair amount if game on your drive  :laugh:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: AlanD on 31 January 2011, 11:30
Yep, as The Doc says take them photos with you and get yourself down to you dealer to get them replaced under warranty.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: Snoopy on 31 January 2011, 12:03
Are you sure its not just the shadow caused by the inner light unit?
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: branchespark on 31 January 2011, 12:04
It's only on one side. If there were two, then I might accept that!
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 31 January 2011, 12:39
Love the pictures. You have so many hidden talents.
Do you think a bit of partridge is in there?
Hope you get it sorted. Most annoying.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: branchespark on 31 January 2011, 12:40
Indeed! Shadow was there before the road kill.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 31 January 2011, 12:52
Indeed! Shadow was there before the road kill.

Enough meat for the freezer, deer. :grin:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: Buck on 31 January 2011, 15:22
It might be the lens on your Xenon that has a small mark on it. This will get magnified as it projects

Email the photos to your dealer before you visit and see what they say.

If they swap it out for a new one ask to keep the old one and sell it to me ;)
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 31 January 2011, 17:26
Buck: You cheeky chappie. If VW change it under warranty, they will most probably keep the faulty one for checking etc. Anyway, you don't want a faulty light. Drive you nuts.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: Buck on 31 January 2011, 19:51
I know!  All in jest!
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: Buck on 31 January 2011, 19:52
The car'd look mighty odd with just one xenon anyway  :grin:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: branchespark on 31 January 2011, 20:15
On way home tonight, it definitely moves when the lights bend in to the corners.

I took a close look at the light when parked up and there is nothing on the lens or visible on the elements within. The mark is clear to see on a piece of paper in front of the light - it's as if it's catching on the lower bit of the reflective cowling.

I'll have to speak to VW, as it's like looking at someone with a massive wart on their nose - you can't help staring!!
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 31 January 2011, 20:19
On way home tonight, it definitely moves when the lights bend in to the corners.
I took a close look at the light when parked up and there is nothing on the lens or visible on the elements within. The mark is clear to see on a piece of paper in front of the light - it's as if it's catching on the lower bit of the reflective cowling.
I'll have to speak to VW, as it's like looking at someone with a massive wart on their nose - you can't help staring!!

I wonder wart VW will do to fix it? I think they'll just replace it under warranty. Will have to take the bumper off to install a new one. Or maybe you can freeze it and it will drop off. All the best.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: branchespark on 31 January 2011, 20:28
Might get them to sort the irritating squeak from inside the drivers door at the same time!
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: KIX on 31 January 2011, 20:59
Either there is a crack on the cristal  projector or  part of the inner ring  has fallen, either way is warranty  right?
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Danno on 01 February 2011, 18:27
I have the same on my R...I thought if was the moulding marks on the headlight.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: branchespark on 01 February 2011, 18:28
I don't think it is the moulding marks - they just don't quite line up. I'll take a pic of the light on some paper later and then send to VW.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Doc on 01 February 2011, 20:56
I'd rather have your cracked xenon's than my fully functioning halogens  :angry:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: Neil gti on 01 February 2011, 20:58
I checked mine tonight on the way home and i have got the same line as you but there is 2 lines forming a V but closer to the car,
You have to sit up and look at the edge of the Bonnet looks ok to me and not a fault, just the headlight pattern methinks, maybe its the light that dosn't give off the line that is at fault on yours  :rolleyes: just a thought  :wink:

Did i have fun down the country lanes tonight, sticking within speedlimits of course  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 01 February 2011, 21:00
Love it! Xenons with warts. :evil:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: Neil gti on 01 February 2011, 21:04
Love it! Xenons with warts. :evil:

You never cease to amaze me !

You been on the wine again  :grin:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 01 February 2011, 21:14
Love it! Xenons with warts. :evil:
You never cease to amaze me !
You been on the wine again  :grin:

Not my words and I don't drink anymore. :tongue:

PS: I wonder if Amanda has (similar) warts? :evil: :grin:

On way home tonight, it definitely moves when the lights bend in to the corners.
I took a close look at the light when parked up and there is nothing on the lens or visible on the elements within. The mark is clear to see on a piece of paper in front of the light - it's as if it's catching on the lower bit of the reflective cowling.
I'll have to speak to VW, as it's like looking at someone with a massive wart on their nose - you can't help staring!!
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: gizzywizzy on 02 February 2011, 20:37
Love it! Xenons with warts. :evil:
You never cease to amaze me !
You been on the wine again  :grin:

Not my words and I don't drink anymore. :tongue:

PS: I wonder if Amanda has (similar) warts? :evil: :grin: No not got any warts on mine :wink:
On way home tonight, it definitely moves when the lights bend in to the corners.
I took a close look at the light when parked up and there is nothing on the lens or visible on the elements within. The mark is clear to see on a piece of paper in front of the light - it's as if it's catching on the lower bit of the reflective cowling.
I'll have to speak to VW, as it's like looking at someone with a massive wart on their nose - you can't help staring!!
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: GolfTi on 03 February 2011, 21:41
http://www.wartremovalclinic.co.uk/
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 03 February 2011, 21:57
http://www.wartremovalclinic.co.uk/

Will it affect the VW warranty?
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Doc on 04 February 2011, 22:06
Dragging this thread screaming and shouting back to topic.

Mines the same - we put it down to a rogue reflection from the chrome scoop thingys inside the headlamp units  :smiley:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 04 February 2011, 22:11
Dragging this thread screaming and shouting back to topic.
Mines the same - we put it down to a rogue reflection from the chrome scoop thingys inside the headlamp units  :smiley:
TBH, I am sure Halogens are beset with worse problems, but as they are not as bright as the Bi-Xenons, this is probably less/not noticable. :smiley:

I'm much much happier with my warty xenon's than my candles in a box halogens  :wink:
I am sure you are. A well lit wart can be quite sensational.  :shocked:
Do you have one or the customary two?  :evil:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Doc on 04 February 2011, 22:37
I'm much much happier with my warty xenon's than my candles in a box halogens  :wink:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: branchespark on 22 February 2011, 09:51
Look in these two videos - one has warts, one does not. Thank God mine are not as bad!

Warts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY)

Wart free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw)

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Doc on 22 February 2011, 11:10
Look in these two videos - one has warts, one does not. Thank God mine are not as bad!

Warts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY)

Wart free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw)

:rolleyes:


I think the first one is how they are, the second is bad quality and at a bad angle so if it had warts you wouldn't be able to see them anyhow  :sad:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 22 February 2011, 19:45
Look in these two videos - one has warts, one does not. Thank God mine are not as bad!
Warts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY)
Wart free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw)
:rolleyes:

Sorry, but Video B is of very low quality and only provides a narrow window. Hence wartless. :smiley:
Agree with Doc's take on this.
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Doc on 22 February 2011, 21:00
Look in these two videos - one has warts, one does not. Thank God mine are not as bad!
Warts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0418EkryrY)
Wart free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjfZeJeFJw)
:rolleyes:

Sorry, but Video B is of very low quality and only provides a narrow window. Hence wartless. :smiley:
Agree with Doc's take on this.

Then I agree with yours  :wink:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: am1w on 22 February 2011, 22:13
I suppose we have all been, to some extent, a bit jokey about Xenon warts. However, I must admit I 'might' find it annoying, if there was just one wart moving around in line of sight. I 'might' feel that with two warts, there would be a helpful balance and the annoyance would reduced at least by half. Two, in this case, might seem better than one and I am being truthfully serious.

I would rather have a Xenon with a wart than any Halogen any night. :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: wilobach on 23 February 2011, 01:50
not a warty Xenon but, have you noticed that there isnt much distance in the light,
or do my lights need adjusting as i have a dark patch in my light bang on center an it would be about 200 to 300 yrds down the road or there abouts it is anoing at speeds
Title: Re: Do I have a faulty Xenon?
Post by: The Doc on 23 February 2011, 06:44
I'd adjust them, it's easy I have good range with one full full rotation on the adjustment screw lower than standard  :wink:

Like I said earlier the "warts" are unavoidable due to the design of the headlamp, it's caused by the bulb reflecting off the silver scoops inside the headlamp, it really isn't noticeable when your driving on the road as your looking further ahead, where as nothing is noticeable with halogens as they don't light anything up  :grin: