One of my xenon bulbs went and it was replaced under warranty with a Phillips xenstart (see picture). However the light kept turning off then on again whilst driving. I took it back and the other osram OEM bulb was replaced with an Phillips to ensure compatibility. I now have the same problem but it happens less often. Does anybody have an idea of what may be causing this?

Other weird things are I don't think Phillips makes bulbs under the xenstart label anymore, Phillips do not list any xenon's as being compatible with the Superb 3 and boy the new bulb casing looks scratched..why would that be?

Make sure they're genuine.

Apparently there r lots of fake Phillips xenarcs going around.

Thanks...Yes I have read that. Not sure how to prove anything and this is a warranty replacement from a Skoda dealer...can fakes get in their system?

Philips Xenstart were the OEM standard and it’s very unlikely that a dealer would have fakes simply because their stock will come direct from VAG.  Supply tends to alternate between Philips and Osram (theirs are the Xenarc range) depending upon batch price and availability.

 

If both lamps have been replaced but you are still seeing dropping out that points at an electronics issue in the lighting controls rather than the bulbs themselves.  Bad earthing or a bad control module feeding the voltages out to the igniter/ballast would be good places to start.  Unless an error code is being stored my bet is the average Dealer would have no clue where to look.

 

Any D3S 35W bulb will be compatible, and it’s possible that if Philips no longer supply VAG then they don’t list anything.  You can still buy Xenstart bulbs from all of the major suppliers.

Edited 16 December, 20187 yr by FelisBengalensis

Xenon bulbs are covered by warranty for full term of the vehicles warranty. They have replaced a faulty bulb with old faulty bulbs or more likely haven't fixed the problem which is likely the external electronic ballast. Tell them immediately you reject their unsuccessful repair and demand its fixed properly under original warranty. Get a case raised with Skoda UK if any argument.

Edited 16 December, 20187 yr by xman

16 hours ago, Ttr said:

Thanks...Yes I have read that. Not sure how to prove anything and this is a warranty replacement from a Skoda dealer...can fakes get in their system?

 

normally i'd agree - replacement from the dealer, or via warrantly are unlikely to have "fake" parts.

but given the picture u posted, showing way that ballast looks - it has alarm bells ringing all over the place if they're saying that's "new"!!!

if they were new, i'd expect it to look like this:-

 

 

as for how to tell, try these:-

http://www.chk.philips.com/gb_en/

https://www.powerbulbs.com/au/blog/2014/11/how-can-i-tell-if-my-xenon-bulbs-are-real-or-fake

 

not saying this will give u a definite answer, but hopefully help.

 

Edited 17 December, 20187 yr by JR RS

Thanks all its very helpful. I think I will send this thread to my dealer and see what they say.