Reverting from HID to normal bulbs?

Deleted account 200502001

Registered user
Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
10
Reaction score
3
My 2009 GSA failed its MOT today because the HID headlight bulb has over heated and caused some slight hazing to the reflective lens around it, which apparently has effected the headlight pattern when conducting the MOT. So I need to rip it out and revert back to standard. I think I still have the original bulbs.

Is it just a case of unplugging the ballasts and reconnecting the bikes loom to the original bulb holders?
Incase I don't have the original bulbs/holders, what do I need to buy?
 
The connector block inside the headlamp unit, the one that plugged onto the back of the original bulb should be there.

Just unplug everything, replace the bulb and put the plug back onto the bulb.

The biggest issue may be the hole in the twist on access cover cap thing. A big grommet will do the trick if you can get the right size.

Roger
 
I have a headlamp casing minus the glass. I think it’s all there. Yours for, oooh, ummm, I dunno offer me a few ££ if you need to cannibalise for any parts. It’s from a 2011 GSA but I think it’s the same.

I removed this one after the HIDs I had in there blew the glass out the front. (my fault I cleaned the connectors with electrical cleaner which had alcohol in some vapour got into the casing and 💥 when I switched the lamps on). Tbh I didn’t think much of the HIDs anyway as no pattern, just lots of light, not that with H7 bulbs they are any good either.
 
The Bear said:
My 2009 GSA failed its MOT today because the HID headlight bulb has over heated and caused some slight hazing to the reflective lens around it, which apparently has effected the headlight pattern when conducting the MOT. So I need to rip it out and revert back to standard. I think I still have the original bulbs.

Is it just a case of unplugging the ballasts and reconnecting the bikes loom to the original bulb holders?
Incase I don't have the original bulbs/holders, what do I need to buy?
Click to expand...

It should have failed for having the HID bulb in it now. Rules have changed. I swap all mine back to standard bulbs for all the MOT now. Bikes and car then swap them back afterwards.
 
Thanks for the replies. I didn't realise HID's are now an MOT fail.

AustinW said:
I have a headlamp casing minus the glass. I think it’s all there. Yours for, oooh, ummm, I dunno offer me a few ££ if you need to cannibalise for any parts. It’s from a 2011 GSA but I think it’s the same.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. I'm going to just swap the HID's back to standard and hopefully it will pass the re-test. If I do need to change the reflective lens I will be back in touch :thumb
 
The Bear said:
Thanks for the replies. I didn't realise HID's are now an MOT fail.
Click to expand...
They're not an Automatic Fail, despite what some will tell you.
My other Bike has passed twice without Issue with an HID Unit installed.
On both Occasions the Testers have checked the Beam Alignment, found it to be alright and Issued a "Pass".
I did get an Advisory for the Loud Exhausts though....
 
BOBAD said:
When they come as standard in new cars and bikes there is no problem, but having aftermarket HID bulbs installed in your car or bike will spell an automatic MOT failure.

More info: https://www.hids4u.co.uk/the-hid-bulb-that-should-pass-an-mot.html







,
Click to expand...

Regardless of what's supposed to happen, that's not so.
My 1997 Honda didn't come with HID as Standard, yet two different MOT Stations / Testers have passed it without question.
As previously stated, both put the Bike in front of the Beam Alignment Unit, both passed it without comment.
 
BOBAD said:
Just because your bike passed 2 MoT tests successfully doesn't mean it should have...... :-)




,
Click to expand...

Maybe, but it does mean that having HID Units in a Bike that wasn't built with them Installed, is not an Automatic Fail :nenau
 
BillyBoxer6 said:
Maybe, but it does mean that having HID Units in a Bike that wasn't built with them Installed, is not an Automatic Fail :nenau
Click to expand...

Its supposed to be an automatic fail if the tester follows the rules. The main reason for the failure is that HID lights require Auto Self leveling which non standard HID lights wont have, Its not just a beam test!
 
ianm00 said:
Its supposed to be an automatic fail if the tester follows the rules. The main reason for the failure is that HID lights require Auto Self leveling which non standard HID lights wont have, Its not just a beam test!
Click to expand...

Interesting Stuff.
But it's STILL not an Automatic Fail though is it?
It probably SHOULD be, but it clearly isn't!
 
BillyBoxer6 said:
Interesting Stuff.
But it's STILL not an Automatic Fail though is it?
It probably SHOULD be, but it clearly isn't!
Click to expand...

YES it is an automatic fail PROVIDING the tester follows the rules which they are ALL supposed to do!
But as you have found not all testers follow the rules.
 
ianm00 said:
YES it is an automatic fail PROVIDING the tester follows the rules which they are ALL supposed to do!
But as you have found not all testers follow the rules.
Click to expand...

Not that I'm casting doubt on what you say (as I'm not an MOT Tester), but where does it state that this is the case?
I've read through the Gov.UK MOT Guidance and can't find anything about it, not even in the later Updates.
No doubt it must be there somewhere, but where please?
 
ianm00 said:
YES it is an automatic fail PROVIDING the tester follows the rules which they are ALL supposed to do!
But as you have found not all testers follow the rules.
Click to expand...

Finally found it!!

"Some vehicles may be fitted with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. It is not permitted to convert existing halogen headlamp units for use with HID bulbs. If it is clear that such a conversion has been carried out, rather than replacing the entire unit with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs, the headlamp should be rejected."

I guess that's the key in Bold?

"If it is clear!"

If not, then I guess it's not an Issue.....
 
I have found this website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aftermarket-hid-headlamps/aftermarket-hid-headlamps

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the aftermarket should:

be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component
when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place)
comply with RVLR as far as “use” is concerned
In practice this means:

the headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be “e-marked” to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo, etc - who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory
once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have “self-levelling suspension” and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam
the headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly in the same way as any other headlamp
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary: it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom