Xenon Lamp Bulb - Color Change After Operation

Group 63
Lights

63 01 01

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Service Engineering

February 2001

SUBJECT:
Xenon Lamp Color after Bulb Replacement

MODEL:
E38, E39, E46, E52, E53 (Vehicles with xenon headlamps)

SITUATION:
Customers complain that when looking at the front of the vehicle after xenon bulb replacement, the new bulb has a "yellowish-white" appearance when compared with the "bluish-white" of the original bulb on the other side of the vehicle. There is no effect on road illumination.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Due to chemical and physical effects, a change in color as a new bulb burns in, is unavoidable. The color shift causes a gradual color change from a "yellowish white" to a "bluish white".

The greatest rate of change of color occurs during the first 5 minutes of illumination after the bulb is switched on for the first time, and stabilizes after approximately 100 hours of use.

In case of customer complaint, please explain these operating characteristics to the customer. Do not replace any parts.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Information only