Cooper S Xenon Headlight Issue

[Challo]

Hi Folks,

The drivers side Xenon headlight on my R53 is not working. It started off sometimes not turning on, but now it refuses to light up. I have changed the bulbs over, and also the ballast and neither makes a difference so I was thinking it might be the ignitor. I took a picture of what I think to be the ignitor attached to the bulb. So questions are:

Is this the ignitor and if so can it be replaced? I have looked and it doesn't seem like it can be.
Could it be anything else?

[Pip1968]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I would have normally said the ballast but you have changed that. Have you tried swapping the headlight out with the one on the other side. I know it will probably not fit in the hole but just connect it up and see if the switch actually works.

Can I just ask about the bulb removal. Are there any safety issues in replacing the bulb ie do you have to discharge the ballast or wear gloves. Is it just engine off, keys out and change the bulb??? Apologies if I sound a little mad but I just remember there being a big warning sticker on my BMW xenons.

Pip

[Challo]

Good shout on actually connecting up the other headlight, will give it a go over the weekend. Was chatting to a mechanic the other day and he suggested checking the wiring to see if that is the issue. The Xenon comes on everynow and then so i know it works, just intermittant.

When I changed the bulbs I made sure the keys where not in the ignition, and also wore gloves. Apparently your not supposed to touch the bulb glass with bare skin as it can damage it. You can always disconnect the battery if you prefer.

[DanGT]

Just for info. The not tuching the bulb is if the bulb gets oil/sweet on it as it heats up the glass can brake. It is the smae with a lot of high temp bulbs haligon etc. So if you do tuch it just give it a good wipe.

[taz1985]

As long as keys are out its fine to work on the lighting system. (But disconnecting battery is allways wise if you are unsure)

Igniter can be swapped side to side (and see if fault migrates)
You can also do this with the controll unit(screwed to bottom of light)

[taz1985]

As long as keys are out its fine to work on the lighting system. (But disconnecting battery is allways wise if you are unsure)

Igniter can be swapped side to side (and see if fault migrates)
You can also do this with the controll unit(screwed to bottom of light)

[Challo]

taz1985 said:

Igniter can be swapped side to side (and see if fault migrates)
You can also do this with the controll unit(screwed to bottom of light)

Do you know how to do this? I can remove it from the bulb but I cannot see where the wires go?

[taz1985]

just done a bit of investigation and it looks like minis built before 07/04 do have a changeable ignitor but there is a control unit on the end of the wire, from what i can tell it may be necessary to strip the lamp apart to do so, i would try swaping the unit bolted to the outside headlights first

[Challo]

taz1985 said:

just done a bit of investigation and it looks like minis built before 07/04 do have a changeable ignitor but there is a control unit on the end of the wire, from what i can tell it may be necessary to strip the lamp apart to do so, i would try swaping the unit bolted to the outside headlights first

I managed to find out the same with some digging. I might just get a replacement unit, seems the easier option.

[Defcon5]

I had this.

You need a new headlight - hella OEM ones are 150 off eBay, swap the bulb and ballast over and you will be good to go