Just installed OEM Xenons, having issues, flicker, grounding?

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Feb 10, 2008 | 02:21 PM

#11

EuropaVin

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Grounded to frame, lights still cutting out

I picked up some 12 gauge wire and some spade connectors and grounded the ballast to the fender bolt. However, the same things is still happening. The bulb turns on solid for a bit, but still cuts out, and will turn back on again if I cycle the light switch. Any other suggestions?

Maybe increasing the amps on the fuse? Or powering directly from the battery? Any side effects that can come of this? TIA

Feb 10, 2008 | 02:28 PM

#12

Roger @ CA

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You're making making this too complicated... use the ground cable that goes in the harness...

to the lights/round plug, you should not need any extra wires with the stock ballasts. Take a picture of your wiring at the ballast so we can see if that is connected correctly... most if not all stock ballasts have multiple connections/pins for controlling things like auto-leveling, etc.

Feb 10, 2008 | 03:07 PM

#13

EuropaVin

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Re: You're making making this too complicated... use the ground cable that goes in the harness...

OK, heres a picture of the wires coming out of the housing going to the round connector wire harness. The single wire on the right is the ground wire But instead of this going into the round connector, I cut it and ran it straight to the fender bolt.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/53502/img00122.jpg">

Picture of the inside of the headlight harness.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/53502/img00123.jpg">

Picture of ballast connectors.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/53502/img00125.jpg">

And here is just a picture looking in from where the ballast sits.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/53502/img00127.jpg">

Sorry for the crappy pictures...all I have here is my camera phone.

Thanks Roger.

Feb 10, 2008 | 06:07 PM

#14

Roger @ CA

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Ok, lets start off by using the ground in the oem harness, less misc. wires in the engine bay.

Then, does anyone in your area have oem xenons, ask in your regional forum if you could plug in your ballasts into their lights to test them out. Everything else seems to look fine, especially if you have some sort of wiring diagram for the multi-pin ballast connector.

Feb 10, 2008 | 07:08 PM

#15

EuropaVin

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Re: Ok, lets start off by using the ground in the oem harness, less misc. wires in the engine bay.

Originally, i was using just the OEM harness, including the ground. Doesn't seem like theres been any change since switching the ground to the car's frame. I'll try to locate someone in my area...I'm in queens, ny if anyone wants to help.

Trouble is I live in manhattan during the week so I really only get to do any work on the car on the weekends at my parents.

As for the multi-pin ballast connector, the driver side one was missing the top piece that holds the prongs down so it is secured with some electrical tape. I dont think this affects anything b/c the other headlight has the top piece and also has the same problems.

I did order some new bulbs that will be coming this week so I'll see if that changes anything...I don't think its the bulbs but who knows. Thanks Roger.

Feb 14, 2008 | 07:14 PM

#16

EuropaVin

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Problem solved...

I guess the bulbs in there was just cheap. I threw some Philips 4300K D2S bulbs in there and viola, life is good. Don't even have to ground to the car's frame...all on the stock wiring. Thanks to all that helped!