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      07-12-2021, 07:48 AM   #1
Huz-Z
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Pink Headlight

Hey guys - my passenger side headlight is pink when lit. Other than a case of automotive pink eye and a course of antibiotics, is this the bulb shot or maybe the control module?

Thanks in advance!!
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      07-12-2021, 08:35 AM   #2
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Do you have xenon headlights? My first guess would be a bad bulb. Mine turned purple when it started going out.
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      07-12-2021, 08:48 AM   #3
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Xenon bulbs tend to turn pinkish when they're going out. Get a new pair of bulbs so they match, preferably from a major manufacturer. Be aware, many are selling counterfeit bulbs, so if they're inexpensive, they're counterfeit. Fake vs Real
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      07-12-2021, 09:06 AM   #4
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Thanks guys!

Yes these are Zenons in my car. I think it’s wise to replace both of them’
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      07-12-2021, 09:28 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Huz-Z View Post
Thanks guys!

Yes these are Zenons in my car. I think it’s wise to replace both of them’
Yes, if one side went out, the other can't be far behind. You'll also want the color to match if you decide to go for a bulb with a different color temperature. I went with Osram Xenarcs in my car and they look much more modern and throw better light than the stock bulbs.
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      07-12-2021, 09:43 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Huz-Z View Post
Thanks guys!

Yes these are Zenons in my car. I think it’s wise to replace both of them’
Just curious, do you always leave the headlight switch in Automatic mode, where the headlights would probably turns on/off when going through an overpass as well as whenever it goes dark momentarily, like in a garage? My 2004 X5 with 150k miles is still on the original xenon bulbs and I never leave it in Auto mode.
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      07-12-2021, 10:32 AM   #7
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Whilst quick on/off cycles can shorten the lifespan of the bulbs, they still only have a 2-3000 hour lifespan.

So at an average 30mph, they'd be past their best by 60-90,000 miles, or double that if you could average 60mph.

Mine lasted 100,000 miles (in fully-auto mode) before the light output noticeably degraded and went pink/purple.

But whilst you have the bulb/headlight out, you may want to clean any residue off the inside of the projector, as I found a nice latter of crud on there which obviously contributed to some dimming and diffusing of the bulb output. I did this when they were both out to replace a ballast and to polish the lenses anyway.
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      07-12-2021, 10:47 AM   #8
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Agreed on cleaning the lens of the projector. They build up a foggy haze that diminishes the output.

I never use auto mode since I live in an area with many narrow roads going through wooded areas and they would go on and off often when in heavily shaded sections, which is not good for them to cycle a lot.

Here's a pic of one I cleaned the haze off 1/2 of the lens.

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      07-12-2021, 10:51 AM   #9
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As it’s a small car and we have a lot of bad drivers here, I run with full headlights and taillights all the time.
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      07-13-2021, 09:03 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Huz-Z View Post
As it’s a small car and we have a lot of bad drivers here, I run with full headlights and taillights all the time.
I assume you mean low beam (light switch full clockwise), and not full beam (activated through the stalk)...as that would blind oncoming traffic!
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      07-13-2021, 09:05 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmm-five View Post
I assume you mean low beam (light switch full clockwise), and not full beam (activated through the stalk)...as that would blind oncoming traffic!
Yes!!
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