How to tell what type of headlights you have - Reflector, Projector, Xenon etc (MK1)

Jakg · 16th March 2012, 18:55

This seems to be a common form of confusion on the forum, so here goes...

This only applies to MK1's - MK2's were all projectors, with a mix of halogen and Xenon systems.

There are two different types of housing:

Reflector - bulb sits in a holder, a parabola of mirrors behind it focuces and aims the light.

Projector - a ball-shaped lens focuses the light.

There are two types of bulb technologies:

Halogens - a "normal" filament bulb.

Xenon - a gas that can be ignited by passing very high voltages through it. HIDs are exactly the same thing, but "Xenon" is normally used for an OE fitment, "HIDs" for an aftermarket install. Do not get these confused with a filament bulb full of Xenon gas (it's not the same - they are rubbish!)

On our cars, reflectors are halogen, and projectors can be halogen or Xenon. But other cars can have Xenon reflectors (although quite rare).

Pictures:

Reflectors:

ZT's came with "black insert" reflectors, where there was a dark bit at the front (pictures shows a 75, but it's the right headlights):

75's came with this shiny instead:

Projectors:

From the outside, halogen & Xenon projectors look virtually indentical. SOME (but not all) Xenon projectors have "XENON Technology" written on the inside of the outer lens, as shown here:

They will also have a metal box on the back (a ballast) as well:

Projectors on the left, reflectors on the right:

From the factory the Xenon projectors would also come with powerwash (headlight washer jets) and auto levelling (so no levelling wheel on the LSM at all).

chris75 · 16th March 2012, 19:04

Thanks for that

I for one found it informative . I am quite happy with my standard reflectors , but had wondered what other folk were always going on about !

suzublu · 16th March 2012, 19:09

Nice edit Jack,i was just about to mention the deliberate mistake

T-Cut · 16th March 2012, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakg

Projectors:
From the outside, halogen & projectors look virtually indentical. SOME (but not all) Xenon projectors have "XENON Technology" written on the inside of the outer lens, as shown here:

I think this bit is confusing. I'd suggest:

From outside, halogen projectors and Xenon (HID) projectors look virtually identical. However, the Xenon (HID) type have the wording 'Xenon Technology' printed on the side of the outer lens, as shown here:'

TC

Jakg · 16th March 2012, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Cut

I think this bit is confusing. I'd suggest:

From outside, halogen projectors and Xenon (HID) projectors look virtually identical. However, the Xenon (HID) type have the wording 'Xenon Technology' printed on the side of the outer lens, as shown here:'

TC

D'oh, fixed

john91919 · 16th March 2012, 20:39

Looks like I have reflectors.

There is a yellow sticker under the bonnet that mentions xenons?

Jakg · 16th March 2012, 20:41

Originally the Xenon sticker was only put on cars that had it - but to save money they combined the three stickers into one and applied it to all cars.

Mine had halogen relectors from the factory, but had the Xenon sticker under the bonnet.

Canonite · 16th March 2012, 21:44

I have a projector headlight with a metal ballast on the back but without 'Xenon Technology' wrote on the inside.
Do halogen projectors have the ballast too?

Jakg · 16th March 2012, 22:24

Halogen projectors have no ballast.

Not all Xenons have "XENON TECHNOLOGY" written on them (most do, but mine dont), but they will all have a ballast!

Reebs · 17th March 2012, 05:14

Xenons (HID with ballast units), or regular Halogen? take a look inside at your Light Switch Module Switchpack.

If your car has True Xenon Headlamps, you won't have a dial to the right for manual leveling. Part of the spec of the Xenon HID's is that they are self leveling.

If however your switchpack does have a knob to manually adjust the headlamp level like this picture, then you have standard Halogen headlamps (which may or may not have Projector lenses).

16th March 2012, 18:55	#1
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	How to tell what type of headlights you have - Reflector, Projector, Xenon etc (MK1) This seems to be a common form of confusion on the forum, so here goes... This only applies to MK1's - MK2's were all projectors, with a mix of halogen and Xenon systems. There are two different types of housing: Reflector - bulb sits in a holder, a parabola of mirrors behind it focuces and aims the light. Projector - a ball-shaped lens focuses the light. There are two types of bulb technologies: Halogens - a "normal" filament bulb. Xenon - a gas that can be ignited by passing very high voltages through it. HIDs are exactly the same thing, but "Xenon" is normally used for an OE fitment, "HIDs" for an aftermarket install. Do not get these confused with a filament bulb full of Xenon gas (it's not the same - they are rubbish!) On our cars, reflectors are halogen, and projectors can be halogen or Xenon. But other cars can have Xenon reflectors (although quite rare). Pictures: Reflectors: ZT's came with "black insert" reflectors, where there was a dark bit at the front (pictures shows a 75, but it's the right headlights): 75's came with this shiny instead: Projectors: From the outside, halogen & Xenon projectors look virtually indentical. SOME (but not all) Xenon projectors have "XENON Technology" written on the inside of the outer lens, as shown here: They will also have a metal box on the back (a ballast) as well: Projectors on the left, reflectors on the right: From the factory the Xenon projectors would also come with powerwash (headlight washer jets) and auto levelling (so no levelling wheel on the LSM at all). Last edited by Jakg; 16th March 2012 at 19:45..

16th March 2012, 19:04	#2
chris75 same car since 2005 2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ellesmere Port , Cheshire Posts: 3,811 Thanks: 379 Thanked 549 Times in 466 Posts	Thanks for that I for one found it informative . I am quite happy with my standard reflectors , but had wondered what other folk were always going on about ! __________________ Who said it was simples ?

16th March 2012, 20:39	#6
john91919 Loves to post rover 75 CDTI tourer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: swansea Posts: 423 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Looks like I have reflectors. There is a yellow sticker under the bonnet that mentions xenons? __________________ Membership Number 1086 Mods so far Smiley number plate, L.E.D. internal lighting Pending Mods EGR Valve. 160 remap. L.E.D. sidelights. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

17th March 2012, 05:14	#10
Reebs Owners Club Director Rover 75 Conn SE V6 / MG ZT 260 SE V8 / MG ZT 180 SE V6 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 20,938 Thanks: 645 Thanked 6,851 Times in 2,537 Posts	Xenons (HID with ballast units), or regular Halogen? take a look inside at your Light Switch Module Switchpack. If your car has True Xenon Headlamps, you won't have a dial to the right for manual leveling. Part of the spec of the Xenon HID's is that they are self leveling. If however your switchpack does have a knob to manually adjust the headlamp level like this picture, then you have standard Halogen headlamps (which may or may not have Projector lenses). __________________ Check your trim here . Check your spec here Check your colour here . Check Project Drive here Check your original price here

16th March 2012, 19:09	#3
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,920 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Nice edit Jack,i was just about to mention the deliberate mistake

16th March 2012, 20:41	#7
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	Originally the Xenon sticker was only put on cars that had it - but to save money they combined the three stickers into one and applied it to all cars. Mine had halogen relectors from the factory, but had the Xenon sticker under the bonnet.

16th March 2012, 21:44	#8
Canonite This is my second home BMW 330d Tourer, MG ZT 180 SE XPG, VW Polo 6R 1.2 TDI Bluemotion Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: York Posts: 6,022 Thanks: 363 Thanked 574 Times in 319 Posts	I have a projector headlight with a metal ballast on the back but without 'Xenon Technology' wrote on the inside. Do halogen projectors have the ballast too?

16th March 2012, 22:24	#9
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	Halogen projectors have no ballast. Not all Xenons have "XENON TECHNOLOGY" written on them (most do, but mine dont), but they will all have a ballast!