Xenon Reflector

[boldis_63]

Hi all,

I own since a couple of years a 2004 CTT and due to the fact that i drive it only rarely at night, only recently i noticed that the Xenon lights were producing only little light (brightness).

I had the impression I wouldn't have any light at all!

So I supposed the Xenon bulbs could be "burned" out and decided to buy new ones. I got the new Osram Night breaker unlimited ( so teoretically 70% more light) and installed them... no difference!!

At this point i searched in the net for more information about this (if i was dreaming) and found out the the problem is well known on other brands (like Audi, BMW...).

The Reflector (the part where the bulbs are located) burns out and becomes black. So i disassembled mine and saw it.

I attach a picture.

Does anyone here has or had the same issue?

Regards

[JFP in PA]

Hi all,

I own since a couple of years a 2004 CTT and due to the fact that i drive it only rarely at night, only recently i noticed that the Xenon lights were producing only little light (brightness).

I had the impression I wouldn't have any light at all!

So I supposed the Xenon bulbs could be "burned" out and decided to buy new ones. I got the new Osram Night breaker unlimited ( so teoretically 70% more light) and installed them... no difference!!

At this point i searched in the net for more information about this (if i was dreaming) and found out the the problem is well known on other brands (like Audi, BMW...).

The Reflector (the part where the bulbs are located) burns out and becomes black. So i disassembled mine and saw it.

I attach a picture.

Does anyone here has or had the same issue?

Regards

First of all, Osram Night Breaker Unlimited are Halogen bulbs, not xenon's. The only time I have come across this type of damage was when someone used too high wattage aftermarket halogen "super bulbs" in and vain attempt to get more light out of the headlights. In any case, I'm afraid you are in the market for a new headlight assembly.

[boldis_63]

Hi JFP and thank you for your comment.

Here in Europe you can have Osram Night Breaker as Xenon bulbs too, D1S type Model 66140XNB, don't know if they're not available in US.

The bulbs installed before, that i removed from the Headlight were standard Philips XenStart, so absolutely normal bulbs with 35W.

Sincerely, I don't believe that the damage to the reflector was caused by wrong bulbs, and I saw too many "burned" reflectors and posts in german forums to believe it.

I think it's a quality issue of the reflector.

But I'm with you when you write that I'm in the market for new headlights.... or... it looks like there are companies in Germany that can refurbish the reflector.