Strangely I lost both headlamps. The Gap tool is telling me B1D00-15 and B1D01-15 general electrical failure.

Has anyone experienced this before and can provide any possible causes?

Many thanks,

Kevin

Are you sure that the HB3 bulbs haven't blown. It happened to me driving in the dark and they both blew - nightmare driving across Gloucestershire unlit lanes on just fog lights. MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

Just checked and, yes both bulbs blown!

I fitted an upgraded bulb about 12 months ago from Halfords (don’t recall what they are) they gave a slightly improved light output but can’t be changing bulbs every 12 months.

Is there a definitive better bulb than the standard HB3 which are poor?

Many thanks,

Kevin

"Is there a definitive better bulb than the standard HB3 which are poor?"

Unfortunately no.

I would have bought a Metropolis if I had known the HB3 bulbs on my SE Tech were so poor.
Lots of threads on this.
The cheap stakes at JLR decided to demarcate lesser models by not giving them HID bulbs and used HB3 halogens. But the HB3 dont work well in the projector lens lights which results in poor illumination and a shortened life span due to overheating.
JLR offered a fix for a while - a ballast resistor which reduced the power to the HB3 (yes, even duller) but reduced the over heating.
Using brighter HB3s is a short term fix but these pricey bulbs will over heat quicker in my experience.

I tried several LED bulbs but they didn't work well in the projector lens - poor light beam.

In the end I went for the HIDS4U Stealth HID upgrade - a fantastic improvement. I had to bend the fitting mechanism very slightly to stop the HID bulbs wobbling (a thin shim would have worked).

You can also replace the whole light unit with a 2nd hand genuine HID unit from the scrappers - not cheap though. Jules

I have a pair of HID UK HSE Luxury lamps and a pair of HID UK Metropolis lamps for sale MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

Thanks Jules, I have just bought two standard bulbs to keep me legal. I will have to look into the Stealth upgrade - sounds like the way to go👍

Stealth upgrades are around £60-90.
I went with 35W but you can go 55W as that is the max road legal wattage. Mainly because I was mindful of the possibility of blinding oncoming drivers but the beam edges are crisp so setting correctly was easy - only slight vertical adjustment needed. Not had anybody flash me and has passed 2 MOTs since installation.

Does you car have manual or automatic highlight levelling?

I'd PM LRnut about his lights too as swapping out the light units is easy and Im sure he can advise on wiring etc.


https://www.hids4u.co.uk/hb3-9005-xenon-hid-conversion-kits/ Jules

Halford have had do much trouble in providing free replacements for bulbs they sell AND fit for FL2 owners that many branches no longer offer the fitting service.
I fitted the Stealth HID upgrade and like Jules my car has passed 2 MOT'S and I enjoy much safer night driving.
The best upgrade you will ever make. MY 09 GS manual in Lago Grey, Wood Co arm rest and side bumper strips - now sold.

MY 15 SD4 SE Auto Orkney Grey with colour coded Bumper Door Mouldings

I always carry at least two spares
Had a situation a while ago when I drove 200 miles on the M4 in torrential rain believing that my headlights were on. I later found out both bulbs had blown so I would have been showing no lights at the front

My car can tell me when the washer fluid is getting low but not when a bulb has blown

Steve

Yes that's a major fault of the HB3 - one bulb for both dipped & main beam. I carry HB3 spares in the boot and a 10mm ring spanner. Jules