Color/output fading on older xenon lights?

A6quattro40v · 01-20-2004, 11:52 AM

I recently decided to replace the headlights on my 4.2 with Xenons. I replaced one and turned on the lights to compare. Much to my surprise, the new unit put out a much whiter, brighter light than the older units. Of course the newer one has a perfectly clear lens versus the older sandblasted one. The picture may look it, but that is not a halogen light on the right. The old Xenons were still much brighter and whiter than a normal halogen.

The part numbers are the same on old and new. Do Xenon lights tend to fade over time? Or could the sandblasted lens make that much of a difference.

A6quattro40v · 01-20-2004, 11:52 AM

Shredderman 3.5 · 01-20-2004, 11:57 AM

TeddyBGame · 01-20-2004, 12:16 PM

My new Xenon housings/bulbs/ballasts were installed 15 months ago and they haven't shown any discoloring/fading..nor have the ballasts had any of these issues.

If you bring this to the dealer, they will want to replace the whole housing ($600+)..there is no part# for just the ballast.

Ping me with any other questions.

-ted

A6quattro40v · 01-20-2004, 01:07 PM

A6quattro40v · 01-20-2004, 01:13 PM

I guess it does make sense that they would change over time, I just didn't think they would be that much different after only 3 years. Oh well. Two new complete headlight units are in and I'm seeing clearly again! An expensive upgrade for sure, but I drive mainly in the dark so it's worth it.

Stoney · 01-20-2004, 01:28 PM

You said you decided to replace them with Xenons. This implies you didn't have Xenons. Then you replaced one, so the other should be non-Xenon. Perhaps you can reword to clear up my confusion?

If you are replacing the whole lamp assy, note that the 2002+ lenses have 40% more light due to a larger projector lens.

TeddyBGame · 01-20-2004, 02:13 PM

Richard Solomon · 01-20-2004, 03:10 PM

Mike4.2CBW · 01-20-2004, 04:50 PM

01-20-2004, 11:52 AM	#1
A6quattro40v Junior Member Account #: 58077 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 191	Color/output fading on older xenon lights? I recently decided to replace the headlights on my 4.2 with Xenons. I replaced one and turned on the lights to compare. Much to my surprise, the new unit put out a much whiter, brighter light than the older units. Of course the newer one has a perfectly clear lens versus the older sandblasted one. The picture may look it, but that is not a halogen light on the right. The old Xenons were still much brighter and whiter than a normal halogen. The part numbers are the same on old and new. Do Xenon lights tend to fade over time? Or could the sandblasted lens make that much of a difference. __________________ ________________________________________ 2004 Audi allroad 2.7T - Atlas Gray 2006 VW GTI 2.0T - Candy White 1999 VW Cabrio - Uni-Black 1988 Chevy Silverado - Mostly Rust My old Audi: Current Audi:

01-20-2004, 11:52 AM	#2
A6quattro40v Junior Member Account #: 58077 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 191	Here's another picture __________________ ________________________________________ 2004 Audi allroad 2.7T - Atlas Gray 2006 VW GTI 2.0T - Candy White 1999 VW Cabrio - Uni-Black 1988 Chevy Silverado - Mostly Rust My old Audi: Current Audi:

01-20-2004, 11:57 AM	#3
Shredderman 3.5 Audiworld Junior Member Account #: 42822 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 305	I have the same problem. How difficult was the install? __________________ Now . . . '07 Blue Slate Infiniti G35X, Nav, Premium, Tech Formerly . . . '01 Cashmere Grey (NOT PURPLE!) A6 4.2 17" MM A1 w/ 255/40-17 Falken Ziex 512 A/S Eibach-Bilstein combo H-Sport Sway Bars Zimmerman Slotted Rotors RS6 rear spoiler Wife: '08 Honda Odyssey Touring

01-20-2004, 12:16 PM	#4
TeddyBGame AudiWorld Super User Account #: 32631 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 6,784	Could be a fading ballast...Xenon bulb will "burn in" (i.e. change color) over time. My new Xenon housings/bulbs/ballasts were installed 15 months ago and they haven't shown any discoloring/fading..nor have the ballasts had any of these issues. If you bring this to the dealer, they will want to replace the whole housing ($600+)..there is no part# for just the ballast. Ping me with any other questions. -ted __________________ TeddyBGame - C5 Avant - "the Beast" (Ha!!) - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring (Nav, Sirius, Bluetooth, Xenon, TPMS, ParkSense, DVD Changer - basically loaded) - 2003 Vespa ET2 (modified exhaust and carb -- so I can max out at 45MPH) - John Deere Gator (4x2) for the boy As of November 2006: Accessory Add-ons: (Definition: An item that provides a specific function - in a cyclical nature - and can be removed very..very easily.) 1) OEM winter floor mats 2) OEM rubber trunk mat and cargo net 3) VW Touareg cigarette lighter flashlight 4) Thule roof bars with Evolution 1200 roof box Upgrades: (Definition: A [bolt-on/bolt-off] item that enhances the appearance, performance or misc function of your car.) 1) OEM front/rear Euro black Recaro Seats (from a Euro 2003 S6 Avant) http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/618112.phtml 2) OEM HID/Xenon (complete) housings (car never came with the Xenon option from the factory) 3) OEM Euro front/rear (avant) beam-style wiper blades/arms (available via www.vagparts.com) 4) OEM B6 S4 Interior auto-dimming black mirror with compass and on/off button 5) OEM Euro blindspot exterior mirrors 6) OEM S6/4.2 exterior lower door trim 7) OEM S4/S6/S8 aluminum mirror housings 8) OEM Euro rear license plate panel from 2002+ facelift avant (slight MODification to US plate required) 9) ? 10) OEM Euro RNS-E DVD Navigation system with MP3, SAT control and TV input 11) Dietz 1417 A/V input to RNS-E 12) Blaupunkt ME3 DVD/CD/MP3/TV Tuner with aftermarket amplified TV antenna in windshield 13) OEM Sirius tuner (special version to work with RNS-E) 14) OEM Phatnoise Phatbox MP3 player (trunk mounted) with custom interface cable to allow Sirius tuner and Phatbox to work together -- cool!! 15) ? 16) BBS RC 17x8 ET35 with Michelin Pilot Sports (summer tires) 17) 2002+ Rear bumper with valance openings for Magnaflow 3" exhaust tips 18) OEM submarine fin roof antenna for SAT / GPS / Cellphone (GSM) 19) OEM Euro gunmetal black avant roof rails 20) 2002+ Climate control faceplate to match faceplate color of RNS-E 21) Walnut wood trim near hazard button (above RNS-E) to match rest of interior wood scheme 22) OEM Euro Avant door panels with integrated sunshades (imported from Germany to match the black leather in my Euro Recaro interior) 23) OEM Euro blacked out front grille (no chrome perimeter) 24) OEM gunmetal black lower rear hatch strip (specific part# for avant vs. sedan) 25) OEM RS6 gunmetal black interior door latches; no need to add any RS6 badges in my car (Thanks Nelson!!!) 26) OEM Euro four spoke walnut wood and black leather (special order via Audi GmbH) multi-function wheel with tip buttons and OEM phone (BT) control 27) Upgraded "618" MF/Tip control module Coming soon: - rear mounted removable 7" LCD panel MODifications: (Definition: Any permenant change to a part or component of your car that you cannot reverse) 1) Tray under armrest to add aux. cigarette lighter 2) OEM avant CD changer bracket MODified (to fit two large CD changers etc) - now I just use it for Phatbox, OEM SAT tuner and OEM BT module. 3) Exhaust tips MODified to add Magna Flow (#35163) 3" dual walled tip 4) Factory wiring behind Sym I to simplify installation/removal of RNS-E 5) MODified glovebox to support fitment of Blaupunkt ME3 (a biatch to install!!) 6) MODified headlight switch bezel for fitment of GALA switch for "video-in-motion" for playing Blaupunkt ME3 through RNSE 7) MODified stock exhaust and had magnaflow 3" tips welded on (see above) 8) MODified rear Euro license plate surround to house 2nd rear foglight (2001 model only came with one from the factory); US license plate needed to be MODified a bit to fit inside the narrow Euro opening. RNS-E for C5 A6/S6/allroad/RS6 - your quest starts here - (regularly updated) <a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/607331.phtml">OEM submarine fin installed on

01-20-2004, 01:07 PM	#5
A6quattro40v Junior Member Account #: 58077 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 191	Hardest part is bumper removal. Not really hard, but a pain. __________________ ________________________________________ 2004 Audi allroad 2.7T - Atlas Gray 2006 VW GTI 2.0T - Candy White 1999 VW Cabrio - Uni-Black 1988 Chevy Silverado - Mostly Rust My old Audi: Current Audi:

01-20-2004, 01:13 PM	#6
A6quattro40v Junior Member Account #: 58077 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 191	Re: I guess it does make sense that they would change over time, I just didn't think they would be that much different after only 3 years. Oh well. Two new complete headlight units are in and I'm seeing clearly again! An expensive upgrade for sure, but I drive mainly in the dark so it's worth it. __________________ ________________________________________ 2004 Audi allroad 2.7T - Atlas Gray 2006 VW GTI 2.0T - Candy White 1999 VW Cabrio - Uni-Black 1988 Chevy Silverado - Mostly Rust My old Audi: Current Audi:

01-20-2004, 01:28 PM	#7
Stoney AudiWorld Super User Account #: 230 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 5,270	Confused.... You said you decided to replace them with Xenons. This implies you didn't have Xenons. Then you replaced one, so the other should be non-Xenon. Perhaps you can reword to clear up my confusion? If you are replacing the whole lamp assy, note that the 2002+ lenses have 40% more light due to a larger projector lens. __________________ A6 (C5 platform) FAQ Stoney's Picture Library Email: jds@sonolithics.RemoveThisPart.com 2001 A6 4.2L, Sport, Premium, Nemo Blue, Melange Interior

01-20-2004, 02:13 PM	#8
TeddyBGame AudiWorld Super User Account #: 32631 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 6,784	yup....90MM vs. 60MM.....maybe a 50% increase? __________________ TeddyBGame - C5 Avant - "the Beast" (Ha!!) - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring (Nav, Sirius, Bluetooth, Xenon, TPMS, ParkSense, DVD Changer - basically loaded) - 2003 Vespa ET2 (modified exhaust and carb -- so I can max out at 45MPH) - John Deere Gator (4x2) for the boy As of November 2006: Accessory Add-ons: (Definition: An item that provides a specific function - in a cyclical nature - and can be removed very..very easily.) 1) OEM winter floor mats 2) OEM rubber trunk mat and cargo net 3) VW Touareg cigarette lighter flashlight 4) Thule roof bars with Evolution 1200 roof box Upgrades: (Definition: A [bolt-on/bolt-off] item that enhances the appearance, performance or misc function of your car.) 1) OEM front/rear Euro black Recaro Seats (from a Euro 2003 S6 Avant) http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/618112.phtml 2) OEM HID/Xenon (complete) housings (car never came with the Xenon option from the factory) 3) OEM Euro front/rear (avant) beam-style wiper blades/arms (available via www.vagparts.com) 4) OEM B6 S4 Interior auto-dimming black mirror with compass and on/off button 5) OEM Euro blindspot exterior mirrors 6) OEM S6/4.2 exterior lower door trim 7) OEM S4/S6/S8 aluminum mirror housings 8) OEM Euro rear license plate panel from 2002+ facelift avant (slight MODification to US plate required) 9) ? 10) OEM Euro RNS-E DVD Navigation system with MP3, SAT control and TV input 11) Dietz 1417 A/V input to RNS-E 12) Blaupunkt ME3 DVD/CD/MP3/TV Tuner with aftermarket amplified TV antenna in windshield 13) OEM Sirius tuner (special version to work with RNS-E) 14) OEM Phatnoise Phatbox MP3 player (trunk mounted) with custom interface cable to allow Sirius tuner and Phatbox to work together -- cool!! 15) ? 16) BBS RC 17x8 ET35 with Michelin Pilot Sports (summer tires) 17) 2002+ Rear bumper with valance openings for Magnaflow 3" exhaust tips 18) OEM submarine fin roof antenna for SAT / GPS / Cellphone (GSM) 19) OEM Euro gunmetal black avant roof rails 20) 2002+ Climate control faceplate to match faceplate color of RNS-E 21) Walnut wood trim near hazard button (above RNS-E) to match rest of interior wood scheme 22) OEM Euro Avant door panels with integrated sunshades (imported from Germany to match the black leather in my Euro Recaro interior) 23) OEM Euro blacked out front grille (no chrome perimeter) 24) OEM gunmetal black lower rear hatch strip (specific part# for avant vs. sedan) 25) OEM RS6 gunmetal black interior door latches; no need to add any RS6 badges in my car (Thanks Nelson!!!) 26) OEM Euro four spoke walnut wood and black leather (special order via Audi GmbH) multi-function wheel with tip buttons and OEM phone (BT) control 27) Upgraded "618" MF/Tip control module Coming soon: - rear mounted removable 7" LCD panel MODifications: (Definition: Any permenant change to a part or component of your car that you cannot reverse) 1) Tray under armrest to add aux. cigarette lighter 2) OEM avant CD changer bracket MODified (to fit two large CD changers etc) - now I just use it for Phatbox, OEM SAT tuner and OEM BT module. 3) Exhaust tips MODified to add Magna Flow (#35163) 3" dual walled tip 4) Factory wiring behind Sym I to simplify installation/removal of RNS-E 5) MODified glovebox to support fitment of Blaupunkt ME3 (a biatch to install!!) 6) MODified headlight switch bezel for fitment of GALA switch for "video-in-motion" for playing Blaupunkt ME3 through RNSE 7) MODified stock exhaust and had magnaflow 3" tips welded on (see above) 8) MODified rear Euro license plate surround to house 2nd rear foglight (2001 model only came with one from the factory); US license plate needed to be MODified a bit to fit inside the narrow Euro opening. RNS-E for C5 A6/S6/allroad/RS6 - your quest starts here - (regularly updated) <a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/607331.phtml">OEM submarine fin installed on

01-20-2004, 03:10 PM	#9
Richard Solomon Tech Guru Account #: 525 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 19,561	Me too... Why would you go Xenon to Xenon unless you did as TeddyBGame suggests and change years? __________________ Richard '01 A6 2.7TQM "Turbos make torque, and torque makes fun." -Corky Bell

01-20-2004, 04:50 PM	#10
Mike4.2CBW Junior Member Account #: 3122 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,000	Re: yup....90MM vs. 60MM.....area = 2.25 times...but light/unit area not constant... __________________ 2000 4.2 Casablanca White / Melange PSL, ESP, Xenon, Cool

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