likwid

Hey guys,

I just replaced the OEM bi-xenon bulbs in my C300 with 6000k bulbs. I turned them on, and the cut-off doesn't have the same shape it used to with the stock bulbs. The cut off is still there, but it doesnt go straight across, then diagnol up a bit, then straight again like proper cut off should have. Now it goes straight, then forms a little peak, then straight and then another little peak from the other bulb.

Are my new bulbs just not seated properly in the housing?

clover168

isnt it bi-xenon is auto leveling? maybe you didnt pop it in properly?

likwid

I'm pretty sure it is popped into the housing as well as tight as it will fit.

clover168

is your bi-xenon auto leveling?

soldier2304

That happened to me, when i replaced my stock xenons on my C230 for 8000k D2s bulbs. The cut-off was nothing like stock, i didnt bothered and just left it as is.

Tatorr

Same problem here when i installed 8k on mines. Does the same as what you said.
Ask the bodyshop guy that installed my HID bulb is it seal correctly, he said its sealed correctly and i told him about how it doesn't cut when projected he said he doesn't know.

ctgilles

Maybe a difference inside the burner then? If it's sealed it's fitted right (there is no other way)

likwid

Anyone put different bulbs in and actually get the correct cut off? I noticed when I took the oem bulb out it was really tight in there even when the clips weren't clipped on. With the new bulbs they felt loose but were nice and tight when I clipped them in. Maybe I didn't push them forward enough or do they need to snap in place some how?

spoolIT85

the cut off has nothing to do with the bulb color... bulb type determines the intensity of light while the projector in conjunction with the lens produces the cut off. inferior bulbs produce less light, this might be what you are seeing?

also, try to readjust your projectors. try to go as far away from the way as possible- slight adjustments go a long ways- pretty much you want to line up the bottom part of the cutoff for each projector. it should almost vanish into the horizon.

likwid

How do you adjust the the cut off? There is pretty much no info in the manual about the bi-xenon lights. It only days they are dangerous and shouldn't be touched.

spoolIT85

you don't have a white plastic adjustment near the back of the headlights?

likwid

Is a "white plastic adjustment" a screw that you turn or something?

spoolIT85

yup, its a hex bolt pattern... Check this reference out for proper adjust of projectors-

http://lightwerkz.net/faq.htm#aiming

likwid

I have checked and could not find this bolt. Anyone have a photo or exact location?

raymond g-

as i read the various posts on this thread, i'm prompted to ask....

1) what make/model is the old bulb?

2) what make/model is the new bulb?

3) check your owner manual for mention of headlight adjustment control
(never mind....i see in the manual that it says to bring to dealer)

the cutoff can induce color into the projected beam. as such, the bulb
itself also can introduce a component of color into the beam and cutoff.

likwid

The OEM bulb was an OSRAM 4300k, the new one is a Lumenex 6000k (this brand was recommended from a few people on this forum to work well).

spoolIT85

I would go with phillips if you are looking to upgrade-

6k you are already losing some light output - visible light...

4.5k will provide most visible light, but will be yellowish still

in my case, i went with 5k- white like a **** and yet not compromising much visible light

raymond g-

just my seat of the pants feeling after reviewing the Luminex vendor's site:
they appear to simply be selling HID kits just like any cut rate aftermarket
vendor out there. my guess is that the products are from an offshore Asian
manuf plant.

if you carefully compare OEM v Luminex bulb, measure critical specs and see
if the are spot on. with an HID bulb, focal point is critical to a precision beam.
so the positioning of the 'arc' is important. since this company is hoping on
windfall profits on rebased HID bulbs and kits, i'm guessing that the assembly
of the bulb, the construction etc is off just enough to move the focal point
away from (or closer to) the projector lens than it should.

w/o see them side-by-side it's difficult to tell though. i echo spool's recommen-
dation though and see if the quality of your cutoff returns.

LILBENZ230

I recently had a 2008 C350 as a loaner that had the bi-xenon option. This cut-off you are describing is the same cut-off my loaner had. Odd that you only had this cutoff after installing new bulbs while the loaner had this from the factory.

spoolIT85

properly adjusted projectors should "seem" like there exists only 1 peak the further you are away from the horizon... most people suggest about 20', but i personally believe that its much better to do it from further away if you have the extra room. look for an empty parking lot at night.

also the further awya you are, it is easier to see the subtle adjustments made. a small change goes a long ways.

it should look like this



from a closer look, you see that the 2 lower parts of the projected light need to be aligned- they represent the visible light that the traffic coming from the other direction would see and is much straighter (thus easier to align) than the peaks.

Tatorr

Mines look no where near that. I will post pics soon how my cut-off looks like and see if anyone can't help. Has been raining lately so havn't taken any pictures yet.

Tatorr

I have no clue. I went back and talk to them about it and we tried all types of different K's from 5k up to 8k. Does the same light output. No where near a cut..

charliele729

I am not sure if every car or type of headlight should have the same cutoff or not, I know that my Benz now does not have that same aggressive cutoff like my TSX and S2000.

Star & Laurel

The new bulb sounds like it has a different focal point than the factory bulb. Because of this you get different reflection angles which gives a different projection pattern.

Doanster

The color temp of the bulb has nothing to do with the cutoff pattern. As others have said, it's the bulb type and manufaturing that determines it. Put a D2S bulb into a reflector housing (or D2R into a projector housing) and you'll get a very nasty pattern.
Acura's have always had an absolute razor sharp light pattern. Simply amazing.