Xenon Headlight Malfunction

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Jan 11, 2012 | 12:13 PM

jmac172

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Xenon Headlight Malfunction

Here's a quick story:
I had an intermittent problem with my DRIVER'S side headlight. Then it got worse- basically it would flicker out moments after turning on. I did a test by swapping the bulbs between the driver's and passenger's-side headlights. Guess what? Now the PASSENGER'S side flickers. "What a relief..it's just the bulb!" So, I ordered two new bulbs (correct wattage, type, etc) and replace BOTH sides. Problem solved, right? Of course not, or I wouldn't be posting. After a couple weeks, now the PASSENGER'S side is crapping out the same way as before. But these are new bulbs! How similar are the symptoms of bulb failure to ballast failure? Is it possible that I was given an old and/or defective bulb? (I got a steal on Amazon.com). I would appreciate any feedback about this!

Jan 14, 2012 | 06:42 PM

jmac172

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Can the xenon ballasts cause lamps to burn out?

Jan 20, 2012 | 04:32 PM

jmac172

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Gonna be just as annoying as this headlight. Ideas?

I switched the bulbs again today. The flickering one follows when I switch it, like before. Can ballasts kill bulbs?

Feb 3, 2012 | 07:27 PM

rodhotter

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From: penna

if your alternator is overcharging you will burn out bulbs and cook the battery! maybe

Feb 17, 2012 | 10:55 PM

1gcrazy

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Having the same issue, ever come up with a solution???

Feb 20, 2012 | 05:38 PM

jmac172

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Not sure...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodhotter

if your alternator is overcharging you will burn out bulbs and cook the battery! maybe

Yeah, if this were the case, I would feel like there'd be a heck of a lot more problems with the car. Maybe not? I do have alternator whine in some of my stereo stuff (and an annoying faint high-pitch noise emanating from the dashpod [discussed in another post of mine]) that I would looovvvve to blame all on the alternator. But that's it. How long does it take a battery to cook?

As for you, 1gcrazy, still no answer. I have a guy that's gonna go over the whole setup with a fine-toothed comb in a week or so (hopefully!). I even replaced the driver side ballast and bulb to see if that was the problem. Doesn't seem to be, as it came back a week later. Other possibility might include just *brushing* the bulb briefly against my hand, even if ever so slightly? Not even sure I did. Are these bulbs that sensitive to skin oils? If so, gloves and another install might fix the problem. I'd be HAPPY to sell you my new Bosch ballast if you want! 3 weeks of use for $180! What a steal! Let me know if you find a solution.