anon7 Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 I know it sounds a silly question but the headlamps on my old Saab 9000 seem to be getting a bit feeble on dipped beam, though still fine on main. There doesn`t appear to be any other problems and so I just wondered if they get a little tired and don`t shine as bright after a lot of use P.S Any one know how to make the handling enjoyable without spending a fortune on the above?, It`s a lovely comfy car for doing long journeys and has been really reliable but the handling`s sh%$" !
Chelspeed Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 An old half knackered bulb will often have a silver appearance to the glass. I guess over time part of the element must be liberated from the hot metal and build up on the inside of the glass, that wouldn't help. Not sure if this is only when they're actually blown or if this builds up over time, you tend not to look until they actually blow. More likely I would think would be corrosion of the connections. When you take the 3 pin conector off the back it's often all manky and green. Try taking it off and cleaning the pins and sockets back to shiny copper and refitting with some vaseline. Worth a try. What about voltage? If the alternator or battery is on it's way out you may be running at less than the optimal 14V. Everyting else will struggle on but bulbs will show it most.
millsn Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 Fit some xenon bulbs instead. I think it's more likely that your reflectors are past their best but xenon burns brighter for the same wattage and heat output. Did this on the 7 ages ago and transformed the lighting Nigel Mills - 2.0 Zetec carbs
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted January 24, 2004 Area Representative Posted January 24, 2004 Nigel, How much were the Xenon bulbs and is there a website for them? Thanks Nick Yellow HPC - A 2.0 VX - 😬
Cloud 9 Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 I too am interested in getting some xenon bulbs....dont know what ones I need , Caterham not listed in Halfords guide.
TomB Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 The lighting are standard Land Rover Defender headlamps, indicators, & foglights. Or you could take the bulb into halfords & match it up.
Joe 90 Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 Reflectors can get pretty dirty too, but I would look at contacts first. Back on the road and now at 100,079 miles. Photos here
Bare Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 Ahh,,, another poor Saab owner... Firstly Saab headlights are made by Hella.. and not very well:-). Loss of brightness/performance is almost always due to reflector failure. The chrome on the reflectors is PAINT.. and on every Saab ever made this paint oxidises, charitably this occurs after many years usage.. so yers is an 'older' one I assume. Obviously a new rfeflector is required, rechroming the reflector is problematic.. it's Plastic :-). But if Truly Frugal.. it IS possible to renew the reflector by relining the thing with Self adhesive Chrome Mylar Film.. yes it takes many little pieces to properly cover the complex surface with the invariable myriad of overlaps.. this has not proven a problem as the film is usually 2 mils thick (not Very) and the laps siply dissapear when the Lens is reattached. Durability? 10 years and counting.on many cars, as lots of us (Saab owners) have now performed this 'repair',, certainly more durable than the OEM painted efforts. It's up to you to source yer own Film tho.. it's Readily available in the Pacific Northwest.
anon7 Posted January 24, 2004 Author Posted January 24, 2004 Wow, Thanks for all the advice, I`ll be scrabbling around under the bonnet soon, Any advice on the Handling front rfom anywhere though? 1995 LP Turbo 2.0 (CD) Thanks to everyone Shag
pinkprincess Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 For SAAB tuning give Lionel Abbott a try. RW04FUN
Strangely Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 If you've got the same headlamps as me then you need 472B 60/55W, available from Halfords. There's a bit more detail here: http://www.strangely.org/diary/200012/index.html#xenon Edited by - Strangely on 24 Jan 2004 21:48:44
anon7 Posted January 25, 2004 Author Posted January 25, 2004 Strangely, Thanks or the advice but I think mine are the later type with a seperate Dipped and Full beam bulbs, Does this make sense ??
millsn Posted January 25, 2004 Posted January 25, 2004 I sued the Catrham part number and found the comparable unit from Halfords. Can't really help now with specifics as too much time has passed. Also - I probably don't have the same lamps as you do (modified 1994 car) Nigel Mills - 2.0 Zetec carbs
Bare Posted January 25, 2004 Posted January 25, 2004 Handling 'upgrades' as well?? On yer car.. strictly stick to ONLY a set of Koni shox.. NO substitutes or additions ...there are several valid reasons.. derived from long experience.. but that's the concise answer :-) Don't even think of power upgrades with that turbo system and Auto box.. they don't live long when 'altered'.
Stevesvc Posted January 26, 2004 Posted January 26, 2004 Osram have a "Silverstar" H4 bulb. These are filled with a Xenon/Halogen mix and burn hotter (brighter) than just Halogen. They are "E" marked and fully SVA / Mot legal. Drawing 55w / 60 w as a normal H4 they do not need thicker wiring or relays as the over wattage bulbs should have. Osram claim an additional 50% light on the road. Simple direct replacement - we have them @ sVc and most of the 7 type headlights we make now have these fitted from new. Caterham have been using a lower spec bulb of this type for some 4 years. Best regards Steve Taylor Stafford Vehicle Components
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