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Re: Xenon Bulbs Posted by Larry West [Email] (#1140) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Larry West) on Tue, 24 Nov 2015 17:58:32 In Reply to: Zenon Bulbs, bill h., Tue, 24 Nov 2015 04:18:46 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Xenon "Capsules" require a very high voltage to initiate the arc that creates the light. On the order of thousands of volts. The 9-5 capsules actually have the ballast that creates the high voltage built onto them. In theory, if there were a mechanical defect inside the ballast, one could be exposed to a high voltage.
But I've changed them, and didn't have any issues. They're fairly easy to swap out. Like halogens, do NOT touch the glass at all while handling the new capsule. You might need to remove the MAF for access on the right side, and something else (battery? It's been a while...) for access on the left.
By the way, flickering is pretty much an indicator your capsules should have been changed a while ago. The arc creates deposits on the inside of the capsule, reducing light output dramatically. When I changed mine, they were functioning just fine, with only occasional flickering, but the difference in light after the swap was literally night and day. Before the swap, I was wondering what all the fuss was about. Afterwards, I knew...
Had that car not been totaled, I'd have gone to a 24-month change regimen.
Pic of D1S capsule with deposits.
_______________________________________ Current: 2002 9-5 Aero Kombi Cosmic Blue 2000 9-5 SE sedan, Imola Red 1990 900S Rose Quartz, Auto Past: 1999 9-5 LPT Combi 1999 9-5 LPT sedan 2002 9-5 Arc 1990 900 5-speed 1986 900 turbo Convertible 1991 9000 turbo 1980 99 GLi 1986 900 turbo 1986 900 S 1991 900 turbo 1984 900 turbo 1976 99 GL
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