Before anyone asks; I know it's me , but they ARE fitted correctly. They are the zcentre ones, so tried and tested. I've tried adjusting them vertically+horizontally but all i get is dim whitish light.

I've now come to the conclusion that my lights are so dirty inside the units that i've no choice but to remove them take them apart and clean them. Wasn't expecting this. I was so dissapointed last night, I was convinced i had done something wrong. But I checked everything today, earthed to the body, dips come on with head beams etc. so it's not the hid's, it's the light enclosure i'm pretty sure.

 

I'm going to try and buy a set on here if possible, do the clean-up job and then swap. The passenger side horizontal adjustment screw doesn't work on mine, so think i'll get rid altogether.

If you pull the bulb it will blind you, you could check it like that. lol

Most common problem for poor headlighting on the zed is dirty inner lenses...although normally HID's still make a huge difference...depends on just how dirty I guess.

 

Although out of interest which Colour temp are they - 4300, 6000, 8000, 1000 ..etc ?

not too sure, they give off a blue/whitish glow when looking direcly at the lights. I left the box etc. at work. As I said they are the z-centre ones so some-one here might know

Mine are Z centre ones too and deffinetly a huge improvement over stock. You can see the stock lights in the signature below. :x:

definitely something wrong then. Just taken close-ups so you can see the difference

When I disassembled my h/lights a few years ago I noticed the reflectors which sit behind the bulbs had seriously discoloured from the bulb heat and dirt build up.

Using some carb cleaner on a cloth helped a lot but the upper halfs of the reflectors were still browner.

 

Simon.

reflectors which sit behind the bulbs had seriously discoloured from the bulb heat and dirt build up.

.

 

Simon.

that could have something to do with the strange "aroraborealis" i'm getting around the lens? It looks like they are not correctly adjusted, but no matter how i adjust them this strange marking is still there

Hi,

Looks like your projector beams need adjusting, as they're pointing down into the light housings too much.

Cheerz,

Jez

Just had them professionally re-aligned at advance pitstop, waiting for dark to come. They still look much the same as in the photo up top, sort of a misty look in the lens. definitely not condensation.

If the dip beam looks like it has a cataract when not lit, it's crap on the lens.

 

This will diffuse the light from your spanky new HIDs, and may dazzle other traffic too :x:

I've heard of these kits ie (Z center kits) needing to have the Balast boxes totally insulated from the car body before they work properly.

 

The kit I have is the other way round. If the balast boxes are not properly grounded then the light is only about a third as bright as they should be.

Dan at DTA sold me a HID kit, and that works excellent, worth considering if you have no joy with your current ones. £99 Delivered :)

Hi Chewie,

 

I'd suggest cleaning the lenses (both the inside of the glass and the front of the projector beam lenses) and then having the lights properly aligned.

 

IMO, the main reason some people have poor headlights (whether HID or not) is down to dirty lenses and badly adjusted beam patterns.

 

Richard :)

definitely something wrong then. Just taken close-ups so you can see the difference

 

Looking at that pic it would indicate that the inside of the headlight glass (and more than likely the projector lens as well) is quite dirty.

 

I'm afraid you're going to have to strip them and give 'm a good clean.

 

Will hopefully give you much improved lighting!

 

Good luck.

 

Dan

 

PS - if you want a set of second hand headlights let me know - I've got a few sets coming my way shortly.

cheers for the advice everyone, i'll have to clean lights simple as that. I'm not complaining about the zcentre ones btw, anyone who's got them is happy with them

 

Just goes to show HID's aren't always the answer if your light reflectors/lenses are in bad shape. I know it's been said time and time again on here to take apart your lights and clean them, I just thought the lazy way out was the answer.