I just noticed recently that the HIDs on my 06 Cayenne S are not identical... at least the light output isn't. I tried comparing them by placing the car in front of a white wall and you can tell that the driver's side is more "white/blueish" while the passenger side is more "white/yellowish"... if you stand in front of the car, you can tell that the hue color is just a bit different. I bought the car in October of 2006. Anyone has this problem? Why the hell would the light output be different to begin with? Should the dealer fix this problem at no cost? Thanks!

 

Came back from the dealer and they are claiming its normal... they say that the color/hue is different because the lamps are angled differently. This has to be BS because I'ved owned other cars with HIDs and that is just not true. The color/hue might be different if you are staring at the headlight, but the light color should be the same if you are looking at where the light is actually shinning on (white wall/etc.). Are they trying to BS their way out of fixing it? A simple fix would just to replace both bulbs... arrrrrgh. Stupid dealers.

 

yes but does the dealer want to reaplace a "working" xenon lamp there looking at a $1200 or more replacement the key word being "working" in their eyes

 

Why would the bulbs be emitting different colors though? Its very weird...
I don't think just the bulbs would be $1200... maybe with ballasts and all.

 

have you tried other bulbs? do you have the older bulbs it could be the ballast giving a brighter more rich color and forcing more wattage out of the lamp...yes i apologize the entire lamp assembly is 1200

 

Older bulbs?
I bought the car in October 2006... I only have 1600 miles on the car.
There is absolutely no excuse I think for the HIDs to not be matching since the car is pretty new. I must have gotten it like that and never realized it until recently. . I'm gonna try to force the technician to try putting 2 new bulbs to prove to them that there is no reason why they would be different.

You do bring up a good point though... it could be the ballasts... sigh.

NOBODY else has this problem???

 

I thinnk difference will increase next few months, and you will replace yellow(green) lamp. it is common problem with all hid bulbs. Another reason - if you see difference in brightness on white wall - check bulb, is it fix propertly on the place, few mm or deg can cause bright loose and a small color difference.

Alex

 

I wish I could check if the bulb is in place properly but the way the stupid headlights are designed it would be a PITA just to do that. I've never experienced any problems with HIDs on all my other cars... and I was definitely not expecting it from the Cayenne since its relatively new. So shouldn't the dealer be responsible for replacing it?

 

I do not know about americans.

 

Take a photo of headlights, if will be difference on pictures send them to Porsche USA after sales, and ask should porsche fix this or not. Ussually this procedure works very(VERY) good - porsche will ask you about workshop you maintain you car and will explain to managers what whey should do in this case.

Regards,
Alex

 

That is a great idea. By sending do you mean an email or snail mail?

I tried looking for their "email" or "address" on the Porsche website and was unsuccessful. Anyone have this info? Thanks!

 

Have you tried changing the bulbs? Buy 2 bulbs at your local gas station and change them yourself. If the problem remains, contact Porsche USA.

Btw, get some pics up here.

 

I'll get pics soon... I haven't tried replacing the bulbs myself for several reason... its a PITA to change the bulbs and you can't return HID bulbs (or any other bulb) once you have opened them from their package.

 

i have the halogen system on my CS it was simple to change my bulbs...are the xenons more difficult? if the install/removal is the same i will be more than happy to help...PS upgraded my halogens to HIDs

try switchin driver side and pass bulbs and see if you get the same result (different beam output)

 

Its a PITA because you have to remove the headlights, etc... not sure if the same for halogen system. Its just time consuming... and knowing myself, it will take me several hours to get it done. I guess I could give that a try if the dealer denies there is anything wrong when I go back in 2 weeks.