All,

While on a group drive out in Arizona this past weekend, my driver's headlight decided to act up. Here is the situaltion and I'd like your thoughts before I start ordering replacement parts. I hate diagnosing electrical issues.......

Keep in mind I have 174k miles on the original headlight equipment (i.e. bulbs and ballasts).

1) I noticed the left headlight was out.

2) Popped the hood and checked all the connections I could without removing the bumper - haha.

3) Turned the lights off and back on and - BINGO.......it works. 60-75 seconds later it goes out again. Donesn't matter if I'm sitting still or rolling down the road, it will stay on for a minute or so and then go out.

4) All I have to do is turn them off and back on again and it comes back to life. However it doesn't last long.

You should have seen me driving all the way back from Tucson to San Diego last night......having to flick my lights every mile or so. Do the math...its about 425 miles from one to the other. It got old.

So I put it to the experts.

-Is it my ballast?
-Time for new bulbs?
-A loose wire (doubtful).

Thanks everyone,
Hockey

 

Sounds like a new bulb is needed.

 

same problem happend to me that bulb is going out

just get it replaced

 

new bulb, hid bulb will turn on and then shut off when they go bad not like holegen bulbs which the connection will break

 

yeah the ballast might be on it's way out i'd check into a new set shop for the best price.

 

no i dont think the ballast is bad just the blub

 

My logic had me thinking a bulb either works or it doesn't. Then again I think of a filament being broken on an old-school bulb and I know that our HIDs are a different animal.

I just would think it is an all or nothing thing as far as bulbs go.

I'd rather have it that way than a ballast since those don't come cheap.

Next I guess I'll need a link to replacement OEM intensity bulbs.........

-Hockey

 

they're the same animal. it might be a connection that might be loose. but at 175k, you'll probably best to change the bulbs out. after a while, they loose their intensity.

if you change the bulbs out and it's still doing it, it's the ballast. but you need new bulbs anyway, mind as well just upgrade.

 

Jeez 175k miles?

 

Oh yeah........and loved every mile.

Anyone have a link to a good vendor for replacement bulbs?

I'd like to get a pair for ~$100......

-Hockey