Author Topic: HELP REQUIRED!!! No light beam after Xenon bulbs replaced  (Read 1553 times)

Offline blacka1973

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Hi all,

I have a 2014 Golf GTI with Xenon headlights, one of the original bulbs failed recently, I got a friend of the family to replace the bulbs as he said it was an easy job.  I bought some fairly cheap ones of Amazon (first error).

After he returned the car to me I drove away from his house in the dark and it appeared as if the lights were switched off as there was no light beam on the road.  I got out and checked and could see the lights were on.

I assumed this was possibly due to the cheap bulbs having a crap light output and I would have to pay to get decent ones fitted.

I took the car to McChonechys and shortly after dropping it they phoned me to say there appeared to be an issue and changing the bulbs would probably not fix the problem. They said save my money and take it to VW to confirm the exact problem and take it from there.

Before getting it booked into VW I wanted to try and understand what the issue may be, the technician mentioned the projectors are very delicate and may be damaged.  If this is the case can this part be purchased separately without replacing the full headlight?

Has anyone had a similar issue where no light appears to be coming through the projectors?

Any help much appreciated.
Thanks
Alec

Offline fredgroves

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Re: HELP REQUIRED!!! No light beam after Xenon bulbs replaced
« Reply #1 on: 15 January 2021, 17:29 »
Could be the ballast?

http://xenonland.com/product/1397/xenon-hid-ballast-control-unit-for-vw-golf-7-2012-2016.html

One of those on each side.

Quite a common xenon problem.
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline blacka1973

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Re: HELP REQUIRED!!! No light beam after Xenon bulbs replaced
« Reply #2 on: 15 January 2021, 18:33 »
Thanks for the update, I will look into this.

Before the bulbs were changed the beam was fine, do you think the ballasts could have been damaged during bulb replacement?

The bulbs were changed without taking the bumper off. just wondering if the removal and replacements bulbs were forced a bit this way.


Offline fredgroves

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Re: HELP REQUIRED!!! No light beam after Xenon bulbs replaced
« Reply #3 on: 15 January 2021, 18:44 »
Didn't you say the bulb had blown?
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline blacka1973

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Re: HELP REQUIRED!!! No light beam after Xenon bulbs replaced
« Reply #4 on: 15 January 2021, 19:06 »
Yes both bulbs were replaced

Offline fredgroves

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Re: HELP REQUIRED!!! No light beam after Xenon bulbs replaced
« Reply #5 on: 15 January 2021, 20:50 »
I suspect its the ballast...I'd see if anyone but the main dealer can look at it or its gonna cost you a fortune. Shouldn't be beyond an indie, it's hardly new technology. Enough cars use xenon.
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC