Xenon Headlight Problems

bumgardner · Post by **bumgardner** » 01 Jun 2011, 11:08

While driving home the other day my passenger side low beam went out. The car displayed the normal error message. So I decide I will go pick up a new bulb to replace the old one. I got the correct D2R bulb (it look identical to the one it replaced all the writing ect looks the same). I put the bulb in. In the process I looked at the other side of the car to make sure everything looked perfect on both sides. I go to turn the car on and now the drivers side light is flickering. Any help?

Post by **jimmy57** » 01 Jun 2011, 11:52

HID headlamps are much like household fluorescents. Sometimes bulb, sometimes ballast.
There are differences. The bi-xenons bulb is effectively a spark plug in a sealed capsule with xenon gas. The arc vaporizes the condensed xenon and then the resulting gas is conductive. It takes 15K and more to provide the arc and once the xenon is gaseous the voltage required is in the lower hundreds or even lower. Flickering can be the ballast telling you the bulb's gap has worn open.
Did the bulb fix the RH lamp?

bumgardner · Post by **bumgardner** » 01 Jun 2011, 12:24

The RH lamp is working perfect now. Is there a ballast for each side?

SimLyons · Post by **SimLyons** » 01 Jun 2011, 12:52

Yes, with tag on them warning of the danger of working on them because of the high voltage (can be like grabbing a spark plug wire with bad insulation). Mine are very visible behind the radiator.

bumgardner · Post by **bumgardner** » 01 Jun 2011, 13:20

I did see that tag. I have also seen the ballast.

I called around to a few mechanics to get a quote on having the ballast replaced and the cheapest was $537 plus tax and disposal fees. It seems kind of pricy. Is this about what it runs?

SimLyons · Post by **SimLyons** » 01 Jun 2011, 13:42

I don't know anyone who has had to replace them. I'd look online and possibly some of the auto "recyclers" (We used to call them junk yards). Unless there's an underlying reason for your headlight bulb/ballast issues. Then it's a whole different ballgame (seems almost too conicedental that both the bulb on one side and then the ballast on the other side failed in succession).

Post by **jimmy57** » 01 Jun 2011, 21:37

I'd put that new bulb in the left side to see if that cures the left side. Those bulbs are the same age and bulbs do fail almost simultaneously far too often (I just put a brake light bulb in the left side last week why is the right now out?)

command · Post by **command** » 09 Jul 2011, 06:57

Really strange, seems very coincident.

You can swap the new bulb you bought to the driver side to check, if no flicker, then means your driver side's bulb also failed.

If also flick, then problem is on the ballast.

Don't buy wrong part.

Your car's oem headlight xenon bulb should be like this:

and ballast like this:

Forget to mention, you have to check the ignitor too, like this:

SimLyons · Post by **SimLyons** » 10 Jul 2011, 14:34

I guess my question now is: Can you replace the xenon with standard bulbs, getting rid of all that ancillary (and VERY costly) stuff? I have the Sylvania Brite Lites (not sure of name) in my 850R and they are as good as I want or need. If anyone has done this please advise.