HID Problem, Missing something obvious
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HID Problem, Missing something obvious
I have had a frustrating problem since the passenger HID went out in September. I am pretty certain that was a bad bulb as I tried it on the driver's side. I have swapped around ballasts and ignitors and they appear fine.
When I re-assemble with a new bulb it does not come on.
But, here is the rub --- When I put the bulb in the ignitor and then plug in the power wire outside the lamp housing dangling in the engine bay IT WORKS!
Why won't it work in the housing? The metal in there seems isolated from other parts of the car (I think)
Any ideas?
When I re-assemble with a new bulb it does not come on.
But, here is the rub --- When I put the bulb in the ignitor and then plug in the power wire outside the lamp housing dangling in the engine bay IT WORKS!
Why won't it work in the housing? The metal in there seems isolated from other parts of the car (I think)
Any ideas?
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 575
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From: CT
You seem to be on the right track. Keep in mind that the housings are completely plastic, even the mounting points, so any grounds needed to make things work have to come in via the wiring harnesses. When in the engine bay did any visible metal on the igniter come to rest on anything metal in the engine bay? The alternative would seem to be that in moving the igniter wire up to the engine compartment you disturbed a connection and "inspired" it to work. Another thing to check would be if the ground in the socket for the bulb, has continuity to chassis ground (or any brown wire).
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 545
Likes: 74
Jonzie77,
A bit of a frustrating day but I got the lamp to work. The car is sort of a family hand me down so I have known it since new. Frustrated to learn the shop my folks took it to charged top dollar for $5/hour work. Went to remove bumper, driver's side went fine, first thing I noticed on the pax side was the three t25's were not there and the alignment was way off. The shop forced the bumper to align and then used 1/4" self tapping screws.
This resolved I found the lower tab on the fender side busted and poorly glued in place - so I am dealing with that.
I think it came to what you suggested - a somewhat shaky alignment of one of the wires from the ballast.
What a day.
A bit of a frustrating day but I got the lamp to work. The car is sort of a family hand me down so I have known it since new. Frustrated to learn the shop my folks took it to charged top dollar for $5/hour work. Went to remove bumper, driver's side went fine, first thing I noticed on the pax side was the three t25's were not there and the alignment was way off. The shop forced the bumper to align and then used 1/4" self tapping screws.
This resolved I found the lower tab on the fender side busted and poorly glued in place - so I am dealing with that.
I think it came to what you suggested - a somewhat shaky alignment of one of the wires from the ballast.
What a day.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 545
Likes: 74
Ok, a month ago the headlight started to work again. I can't explain why but I took it out of the car and used vinegar to clean every plug contact surface I could find and lo and behold it came one - for about 6 weeks.
Now what it does the low beam comes on for 3-60 seconds when the engine is in what I would call a cold start or has ben sitting for a time. Then it shuts off.
Is this perhaps a failing ballast or ignitor? I hate doing the ballast swap as the driver's side in a PIA to get out.
Any ideas? Experience?
Now what it does the low beam comes on for 3-60 seconds when the engine is in what I would call a cold start or has ben sitting for a time. Then it shuts off.
Is this perhaps a failing ballast or ignitor? I hate doing the ballast swap as the driver's side in a PIA to get out.
Any ideas? Experience?
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