[Syd01]

I own a 2007 Saab 9-5 (4-dr sedan, 2.3L, non-aero turbo type). Both of my xenon headlight assemblies are defective. Replacing them are very expensive compared to much affordable halogen-type alternative. Can I do this or must stay with the xenon version?

Syd

 

[Syd01]

...to clarify earlier about my defective xenon headlight housings, my xenon highbeams only work off my lowbeams (both highbeam bulbs are not operating). My lowbeams illuminate low at night so I have to use my fog lights for better visibility. Kinda weird but any ideas?

'07 Saab 9-5, 2.3L turbo sedan, non-Aero type

 

[j006]

Apologies if I am stating what you already know.

the way the Bi-Xenon lights work is that a shutter mechanism reveals more of the bulbs light dispersion which makes it brighter and throw the light higher down the road. It literally is like a mechanical eyelid that is halfway closed for low beams, and retracted for high beams. The inner section of the 2006 models is blank and non-functional, so don't look for it to light up. Model years thru 2005 with HID setups had bulbs in the inner section of the light housing, but it only worked as a 'flash to pass' function.

I guess the the point is that your shutters are malfunctioning somehow. I feel like that may be easier to fix than trying to retrofit halogen bulbs in there, since you would need a set for the lows and then you would need a set for the highs. Nothing is impossible of course, but you would likely need a donor assembly and some fabrication to get all this working. Also you would need to figure out the relay and how to trigger it.

They make aftermarket Bi-Xenon setups, but there again it would take a fair amount of modification to get that working correctly. I would recommend fixing the shutters.

Cheers

 

[Syd01]

Thanks for your insight and advice. In fact, I ordered a service/work manual for my Saab and earlier Youtubed headlight cover removal and install procedures. It may be some debris inside I might have to remove in order for both shutters to fully operate. I'm excited and we'll see what happens.

 

[hoppysport]

When searching for an 08-09 0-5, I intentionally looked for a car without Xenon headlights. I appreciate that they throw out more light, but after previous experience with them in a Caddy, I wanted no part of Xenon headlights.

The bulbs and ballasts are way to expensive, and frankly, not worth it...for me at least.

 

[Syd01]

To Hoppysport,

Thanks for your help.

 

[j006]

For a low-cost bulbs solution, I've used these for years:

http://www.hidextra.com/d1s-bulb/?sort=newest

The factory D1S or the Sylvania brand bulbs are too expensive, and you gain little by paying so much for them. I've never had any issues with the HIDExtra bulbs.

Cheers

 

[andybisnut]

When searching for an 08-09 0-5, I intentionally looked for a car without Xenon headlights. I appreciate that they throw out more light, but after previous experience with them in a Caddy, I wanted no part of Xenon headlights.

The bulbs and ballasts are way to expensive, and frankly, not worth it...for me at least.

I'm on my second car with Xenons, and I have to say I'm starting to agree with you. My first one (a 2004) had a xenon warning light I could never figure out, and they were always pointed too low.

My current one (the 2006) works fine, but there's a huge dead/dark spot in my driver's side beam. After further research, sounds like I have a dead spot in the bowl.

So yeah, if I get another 9-5 after this one, I'll be looking for one without Xenons. Sick of their issues and cost.

Halogens are bright enough, imho, and after being blinded hundreds of times by idiots with aftermarket HIDs, I'm sort of sick of them in general.

 

[Ivan]

If you end up replacing your xenon headlights with normal halogen, ill buy your xenons as long as the housing and lens are in ok condition
you can email me.
Your PM is disabled [email protected]
Thanks


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[1stsaab99]

My current one (the 2006) works fine, but there's a huge dead/dark spot in my driver's side beam. After further research, sounds like I have a dead spot in the bowl.

So yeah, if I get another 9-5 after this one, I'll be looking for one without Xenons. Sick of their issues and cost.

Halogens are bright enough, imho, and after being blinded hundreds of times by idiots with aftermarket HIDs, I'm sort of sick of them in general.

I recently replaced my drivers side xenon with a Morimoto D1S 4500K XB bulb. This bulb shows a dead spot in the beam compared to the previous bulb and my passenger side SAAB OEM bulb. You may not have a dead spot in the bowl, you may just have a dead spot caused by a replacement bulb. I switched the bulbs and the (Morimoto) bulb now shows a dead spot on the passenger side (bulb is the problem). Try switching your bulbs around. It could just be a bad / dying / cheap bulb giving you the dark spot. -Also- I really don't like the Xenon lights in my 9-5. I prefer my 9-3 halogens with a true high beam.

 

[Syd01]

To J006,

Earlier you mentioned 2006 Saab 9-5 has no inner headlight bulbs. Do you know if my 2007 9-5 have any? I plan to get under the hood in a day or so to verify but your advice can save me some time.

 

[j006]

To J006,

Earlier you mentioned 2006 Saab 9-5 has no inner headlight bulbs. Do you know if my 2007 9-5 have any? I plan to get under the hood in a day or so to verify but your advice can save me some time.

Your 2007 should be the same as the 2006...

Cheers

 

[Syd01]

Thanks for your help

 

[Jssaab]

...2007 Saab 9-5, 4-dr sedan, 2.3T (non-Aero type)

Regarding your first post ( its confusing to ask to totally divergent questions in the same thread, I suggest you post a separate thread about the speaker ( or at any time your ADD acts up)

IN any event, Bi Zenons have a single halogen bulb next to the assembly in each lamp housing that is used in "flash to pass" since the Zenons donlt react fat enough.

I am thinking that your Zenons are fine, you are looking for the other bulbs to light but they don't light for high beams, as mentioned above there is a single beam that brightens with the shutters for high beams ( when you use the high beams do your headlights look noticeably brighter? Are your covers cloudy?

I ahve never seen zenons wear out the way you are saying.

 

[Syd01]

Can you send me a photo or video of the exact location of this bulb?

 

[9-5r]

Thanks for your insight and advice. In fact, I ordered a service/work manual for my Saab and earlier Youtubed headlight cover removal and install procedures. It may be some debris inside I might have to remove in order for both shutters to fully operate. I'm excited and we'll see what happens.

Thats a very smart move, ordering a workshop manual. For some reason the books make the electronic shop versions look like leaflets. Electronic manuals at the time (like WIS) were really meant for quick refrence for the technician. Actual physical paper manuals is where it's at. I have a treasure trove of SAAB manuals dating back to the 80's up to 2005 and I've recently come into a massive collection of SAAB specialty SPX/Kent Moore tools so I'm stoked. Ok/ endofftopic

Edit
Ohh I thought you managed to get a factory manual.. nvm..
The bulb in question is where a H7 high beam bulb would sit in a normal headlight assembly. You also have the option of buying a "flash to pass 666mod" relay from www.eeuroparts.com so you could actually have real secondary illumination.

 

[1stsaab99]

Regarding your first post ( its confusing to ask to totally divergent questions in the same thread, I suggest you post a separate thread about the speaker ( or at any time your ADD acts up)

IN any event, Bi Zenons have a single halogen bulb next to the assembly in each lamp housing that is used in "flash to pass" since the Zenons donlt react fat enough.

I am thinking that your Zenons are fine, you are looking for the other bulbs to light but they don't light for high beams, as mentioned above there is a single beam that brightens with the shutters for high beams ( when you use the high beams do your headlights look noticeably brighter? Are your covers cloudy?

I ahve never seen zenons wear out the way you are saying.

No flash to pass halogen in the 2006+ models with zenon in the US.

 

[Jssaab]

...to clarify earlier about my defective xenon headlight housings, my xenon highbeams only work off my lowbeams (both highbeam bulbs are not operating). My lowbeams illuminate low at night so I have to use my fog lights for better visibility. Kinda weird but any ideas?

'07 Saab 9-5, 2.3L turbo sedan, non-Aero type

No flash to pass halogen in the 2006+ models with zenon in the US.

He mentions 2 bulbs in the housing, are they no longer ( after 2006) Bi-zenon? IF not then I bet there is an orange relay to work the highbeam

 

[Syd01]

I ordered the 666 relay and I'll see what happens. That's for your help.

 

[1stsaab99]

I ordered the 666 relay and I'll see what happens. That's for your help.

Why? You don't have halogen bulbs (flash to pass) in your headlights from the factory. Also the headlight harness does not support this feature.