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[Toledodude1973]

Regarding changing the dipped xenon bulb the car handbook says only by main dealer surely if i disconnect battery i'll be safe?Can someone confirm this please or explain where the danger is , thank you

[Martian]

Regarding changing the dipped xenon bulb the car handbook says only by main dealer surely if i disconnect battery i'll be safe?Can someone confirm this please or explain where the danger is , thank you

The danger is in the fact that even with the battery disconnected, there is still the potential for you to receive around a 20KV (that's 20,000 volts) shock from the ballast.
Even if you didn't receive the initial belt, the headlamps run at around 85V or so once they settle down which is more than enough for you to get a reminder not to mess about with electrickery if you don't understand it to start with.

[Toledodude1973]

Thanks for that so how do i change the bulb?

[cam2502]

One went on my elite a few years ago, was told that it's best to replace both, but what a job I had trying to get someone to do the job ( wasn't even gonna think about doing it myself!). Most folk seemed terrified 
Eventually got the job done by an older guy who had worked for vauxhall before retiring and helping his son mend cars in his garage at home.
Seems such a silly/easy job. Clearly isn't 

[Entwood]

Thanks for that so how do i change the bulb?

Models with Xenon discharge
headlights
Warning: The Xenon discharge
bulbs operate at very high
voltage; before starting work,
disconnect the battery negative cable and
remove the dipped beam fuses from the
interior fusebox.
7 With the bonnet open, release fastening
screw and detach the cover panel from
above the headlight unit. If working on the
left hand headlight, first remove the battery
with reference to Chapter 5A. If working on
the right hand headlight, first remove the air
cleaner housing with reference to Chapter
4A.
8 At the rear of the headlight unit, undo the
three Torx screws and remove the protective
cap from the rear of the bulb connector.
9 Turn the bulb connector to the left to
disconnect it.
10 Rotate the retaining ring to the left then
remove it from the rear of the bulb housing.
11 Withdraw the bulb from its housing.
12 Refitting is a reversal of removal. Ensure
that the headlight beam alignment is checked
by a Vauxhall dealer as soon as possible.

HTH .. take care !!!

[gringotty]

I,m new to omegas and have become alarmed as to what I read about the bulbs fitted. If this energy is stored for what ever reason then surely to discharged the energy with a 1 watt resister in two wooden poles should exhaust this energy or am I talkin 'dangle berries'.

[mga32]

I have changed them before on a Jag, just replace them like normal bulbs, its not the voltage that gets you its amps and there isnt enough amps, even when they are switched on to kill you. I doubt there would be much of a residual charge left in the ballast if they have been off for a bit.

[Toledodude1973]

Thank you all for advice so would it pay me to disconnect battery day before to be safe to hopefully discharge the stored energy(i'm going to aren't i) http://images.omegaowners.com/forum/smf2000/Smileys/oofstd/shocked.gif

[I_want_an_Omega]

Thank you all for advice so would it pay me to disconnect battery day before to be safe to hopefully discharge the stored energy(i'm going to aren't i)

That will be perfect. Disconnect the battery early of an evening and do the job mid morning the next day. I was really rash a few weeks ago and only left mine for 10 mins - however, the lights hadn't been switched on for days 

[Toledodude1973]

Thanks robert hopefully i'm not going to die after all!

[SteveAvfc.]

Changed at least two on my Omega as i would with any ordinary bulb, found more trouble getting the light itself out. 
Never encountered any electrical issues so either i am very lucky or stupidity means no sense no feeling. 

[Brikhead]

The danger is in the fact that even with the battery disconnected, there is still the potential for you to receive around a 20KV (that's 20,000 volts) shock from the ballast.

I'd say the 'danger' is more to do with the fact that the dealer would miss out on a nice little earner if you decided to d.i.y.

[Agemo]

I have changed a couple, I would recommend disconnecting battery, then heaving it an hour or so. You may find your new Xenon lamp is brighter than the other, which is why people recommend replacing both. You can go for lamps that have a "Blue or Purple light, but a standard White gives out more visible light. I bought my last one from ebay, and had no problems, however some members have received duff lamps, perhaps I was lucky.
The job itself is a doddle, just fiddly, like most jobs on these cars.

[Andy H]

Thanks for that so how do i change the bulb?

Models with Xenon discharge
headlights
Warning: The Xenon discharge
bulbs operate at very high
voltage; before starting work,
disconnect the battery negative cable and
remove the dipped beam fuses from the
interior fusebox.
7 With the bonnet open, release fastening
screw and detach the cover panel from
above the headlight unit. If working on the
left hand headlight, first remove the battery
with reference to Chapter 5A. If working on
the right hand headlight, first remove the air
cleaner housing with reference to Chapter
4A.
8 At the rear of the headlight unit, undo the
three Torx screws and remove the protective
cap from the rear of the bulb connector.
9 Turn the bulb connector to the left to
disconnect it.
10 Rotate the retaining ring to the left then
remove it from the rear of the bulb housing.
11 Withdraw the bulb from its housing.
12 Refitting is a reversal of removal. Ensure
that the headlight beam alignment is checked
by a Vauxhall dealer as soon as possible.

HTH .. take care !!!

Access isn't wonderful even with battery & air filter removed and the Omega headlights have a problem with fragile adjusters.

When I changed mine I left the car overnight for any voltages to discharge and then removed the complete headlight unit so I could change the lamp without straining the adjusters.

The design of the lamp and plug would make it quite difficult to touch the hazardous high voltage part IMO.

[dbug]

Changed a few of these - haven't disconnected battery, just allowed car to stand a couple of hours after switching ignition off.  As others have said job is fiddly because of limited access.

Drivers side just pop air filter box off - plenty of room, passenger side, undo battery clamp and slide battery to rear, gives sufficient room.